The basic path to getting your license back
To reinstate a suspended Minnesota driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete whatever requirement caused the suspension. Most suspensions fall into a few categories: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the agency that manages license suspensions, and they will not reinstate your license until the underlying issue is resolved.
Once you have taken care of the reason for suspension — paid what you owe, appeared in court, or met a medical requirement — you can request reinstatement. The process itself is straightforward, but the time it takes depends entirely on what caused the suspension and how quickly you can resolve it.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or the court that suspended your license to learn the specific reason for suspension before you can fix it.
- Most suspensions require you to pay fines, court costs, or child support arrears directly to the court or collection agency, not to DPS.
- After resolving the underlying issue, you request reinstatement through DPS by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
- Reinstatement fees range from $20 to $680 depending on the reason for suspension, and you must pay this fee to DPS even after resolving the original problem.
- Processing takes one to two weeks by mail or phone, or same-day if you go in person to a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
Finding out why your license was suspended
The first step is knowing exactly what caused the suspension. You can check your status and suspension reason in three ways: online through the Minnesota DPS website using your driver's license number and date of birth, by calling the DPS Driver and Vehicle Services line at 651-297-3298, or by visiting a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person.
When you call or visit, have your driver's license number ready. The staff member will tell you the suspension reason and what you need to do to resolve it. Write down the specific requirement — for example, "pay $450 in fines to Hennepin County District Court" or "provide medical clearance from your doctor." This detail matters because different reasons have different next steps.
Resolving the reason for suspension
If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or court costs, contact the court listed in your suspension notice. The court will tell you the exact amount owed and accept payment by phone, mail, or in person. Once the court receives payment, they send confirmation to DPS automatically — you do not need to tell DPS yourself.
If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, you must go to that court and resolve the case. This might mean appearing for the original hearing, paying a fine, or working out a payment plan with the judge. Again, the court notifies DPS once the matter is settled.
If your suspension is due to unpaid child support, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services or the collection agency listed in your suspension notice. They will tell you the amount owed and payment options. Some people set up payment plans rather than paying in full.
If your suspension is medical — for example, you had a seizure or failed a vision test — you will need to provide documentation from a doctor or eye specialist showing you are safe to drive. The DPS website lists what medical forms are required for different conditions.
Requesting reinstatement from the Department of Public Safety
After you have resolved the underlying issue, you request reinstatement from DPS. You have three options: by mail, by phone, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
By mail: Send a letter to Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 161, St. Paul, MN 55101. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a statement that you have resolved the suspension reason. Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee (see the fee section below). Mail processing takes one to two weeks.
By phone: Call 651-297-3298 and tell the staff member you want to reinstate your license. They will confirm that the suspension reason has been resolved in their system. You can pay the reinstatement fee by credit card or debit card over the phone. Processing takes one to two weeks.
In person: Visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office with your driver's license or state ID and payment for the reinstatement fee. Same-day reinstatement is available at most offices. Find the office nearest you on the DPS website.
Reinstatement fees by suspension reason
The reinstatement fee depends on why your license was suspended. These fees are separate from any fines, court costs, or child support you already paid to resolve the original issue.
| Suspension Reason | Reinstatement Fee |
|---|---|
| Unpaid traffic fines or court costs | $20 |
| Failure to appear in court | $20 |
| Unpaid child support | $20 |
| Too many traffic violations (point suspension) | $20 |
| Medical reasons | $20 |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) or refusal to take a breath test | $680 |
If you cannot afford the reinstatement fee, contact the Driver and Vehicle Services office to ask about payment plans or fee waivers. Some offices can work with you on timing.
What to expect after you request reinstatement
If you request reinstatement by mail or phone, your license will be reinstated within one to two weeks. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail. Your physical driver's license card does not change — you can drive legally as soon as DPS processes your request, even before you receive the confirmation letter.
If you request reinstatement in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, you will know when ready whether it was approved. Your license is active the same day.
If DPS denies your reinstatement request, they will send you a letter explaining why. This usually means the underlying issue was not fully resolved. For example, if you thought you paid all your fines but the court shows a remaining balance, DPS will ask you to pay the rest before trying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until DPS officially reinstates it. If you request reinstatement in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office and it is approved that day, you can drive when ready. If you request by mail or phone, you must wait for DPS to process the request before driving legally.
What if I do not know which court suspended my license?
Call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety at 651-297-3298 and they will tell you which court issued the suspension. They can also tell you the court's phone number so you can contact them directly about payment or the case status.
Do I need to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?
No, unless your suspension was medical and the DPS requires a road test as part of your medical clearance. For all other suspension reasons, reinstatement does not require a test — only payment of the reinstatement fee and proof that the underlying issue is resolved.
What if I moved out of state while my license was suspended?
You can still reinstate your Minnesota license by mail or phone from anywhere. Send your reinstatement request and fee to the DPS address listed above, or call 651-297-3298 to reinstate by phone. You do not need to be in Minnesota to complete the process.
Can I get a temporary license while waiting for reinstatement?
No. Minnesota does not issue temporary licenses during suspension. Your only option for when ready driving is to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person and complete reinstatement the same day.