What you need to do to get 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. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) suspends licenses for different reasons — unpaid traffic fines, missed court dates, failure to pay child support, DWI convictions, or accumulating too many points — and each reason has its own path to reinstatement.
You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back. The state will not reinstate it until you have resolved the underlying issue. Once you have, you submit proof to DPS, pay a reinstatement fee (currently $680 for most suspensions, though this can vary), and your license becomes active again.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or check your suspension letter to learn the specific reason your license was suspended.
- Resolve the cause — pay outstanding fines, appear in court, complete a DWI program, or address child support arrears — before DPS will reinstate your license.
- Submit proof of resolution to DPS along with the $680 reinstatement fee through the mail or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
- Reinstatement typically takes two to four weeks after DPS receives your completed request and payment.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Your suspension letter should state the reason. If you no longer have it, call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety at 651-296-6911 or visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. Have your driver's license number ready. The staff member will tell you the specific cause and what you must do to resolve it.
You can also check your suspension status online through the DPS website, though the online system may not show as much detail as a phone call. If you were suspended for a traffic-related reason, your court documents or citation may also explain it.
Resolving the reason for suspension
The steps depend on why you were suspended. Here are the most common reasons and what to do:
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation. Contact the court directly — the citation or suspension letter will list which court. Once you pay, ask for written confirmation or a receipt showing the debt is cleared. Keep this proof.
Failure to appear in court: Contact the court listed on your citation or suspension letter. Explain that you missed your court date and ask to reschedule. You may face an additional fine for missing the appearance, but once you appear and resolve the case, you can move toward reinstatement. Some courts allow you to appear by phone or video if you cannot travel in person.
DWI (driving while impaired) conviction: You must complete a chemical health assessment and any recommended treatment program before reinstatement. The court will direct you to an approved provider. Once you finish, the provider sends proof to the court, and the court notifies DPS. This process often takes several months.
Child support arrears: Contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services or the county child support office. Arrange a payment plan or bring your account current. Once the arrears are resolved, the child support agency notifies DPS automatically, though you should request written confirmation.
Too many points on your driving record: Points accumulate from traffic violations. If you have reached the threshold for suspension, you cannot straightforward pay a fee to remove them. Instead, you must wait out a suspension period (usually 30 days to one year depending on your record) and then request reinstatement. During the suspension, you cannot drive legally.
Submitting your reinstatement request
Once you have resolved the cause of suspension, gather proof. This might be a court receipt showing fines paid, a letter from the court confirming you appeared, a certificate of completion from a DWI program, or a letter from the child support agency confirming arrears are resolved. Different reasons require different documents — ask DPS or the court what proof they need before you submit.
Mail your proof along with the $680 reinstatement fee to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1900, St. Paul, MN 55101. Include a cover letter with your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. You can also submit your request in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services office — this is faster if you need your license quickly.
Make copies of everything you send. Do not mail original documents unless DPS specifically asks for them.
What happens after you submit your request
DPS typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks of receiving your complete submission and payment. If your documents are incomplete or the fee is missing, DPS will contact you by mail to ask for what is needed. This delays the process.
Once DPS approves your reinstatement, you will receive a letter confirming it. Your license becomes valid when ready — you do not need to pick up a new card or visit an office unless your license has expired for other reasons. If your license has expired, you will need to renew it at the same time.
Driving with a suspended license before reinstatement
Driving while your license is suspended is illegal in Minnesota and carries serious consequences: fines up to $1,000, possible jail time, and further suspension. Even if you have submitted your reinstatement request and are waiting for approval, you cannot legally drive until DPS notifies you that your license is reinstated.
If you need to drive before your license is reinstated, ask the court or DPS about a work permit or limited license. These are available in some cases — for example, if your suspension is for unpaid fines but you need to drive to work. The court decides whether to grant one, and it is not automatic.
If your reinstatement request is denied
DPS will deny reinstatement if you have not fully resolved the underlying issue. For example, if you still owe fines, if your DWI program is incomplete, or if child support arrears remain unpaid, reinstatement will not happen. DPS will send a letter explaining why and what additional steps you need to take.
If you believe DPS made an error, you can request a hearing through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The letter denying reinstatement will explain how to request one. You have a limited time to do this, so act quickly if you disagree with the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work while my license is suspended if I have applied for reinstatement?
Not unless you have a work permit or limited license from the court. Submitting a reinstatement request does not give you permission to drive. Contact the court that handled your case and ask whether a work permit is available for your situation. The court decides, and approval is not may provide.
How long does reinstatement take?
Most requests are processed within two to four weeks after DPS receives your complete submission and payment. If your documents are incomplete or missing, the timeline extends while DPS contacts you for what is needed. Submitting in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office is faster than mailing.
Do I need to take a new driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require a written or road test. However, if your license has expired during the suspension period, you will need to renew it, which may include a vision test but not a full driving test.
What if I cannot pay the $680 reinstatement fee all at once?
Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to ask about payment plans. Some offices may work with you, though this is not may provide. You can also ask the court that suspended your license whether they can reduce or waive the fee based on financial hardship, though courts rarely do this.
Will my insurance rates go up after reinstatement?
Your insurance rates depend on your driving record and the reason for suspension. A DWI suspension will likely increase your rates significantly. Contact your insurance company to understand how your specific suspension affects your policy.