What a reinstatement fee is and when you owe it

A reinstatement fee is a charge the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) collects when you want to restore a suspended or revoked driver's license. It is separate from any fines, court costs, or other penalties you may owe — it exists solely to process the paperwork that puts your license back into active status.

You owe a reinstatement fee if your license was suspended or revoked for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, accumulating too many points, driving under the influence, or failure to maintain insurance. The fee amount depends on the reason for the suspension or revocation and does not change based on how long your license has been inactive.

The reinstatement fee is required before the DMV will process your request. You cannot restore your license without paying it, and you cannot drive legally until the DMV confirms the fee has been received and your license status has been updated in their system.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota's reinstatement fee varies by the reason for suspension or revocation, ranging from around $45 to $680 depending on the violation type.
  • You must pay the fee before the DMV will process your reinstatement request, and payment alone does not automatically restore your license if other conditions remain unmet.
  • You can pay by mail, in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, or online through the Minnesota DPS website if your suspension reason qualifies for online payment.
  • After you pay, the DMV typically processes reinstatement within one to two business days, but you should verify your license status before driving.

Finding your reinstatement fee amount

The Minnesota DPS website lists reinstatement fees by suspension or revocation reason. You can view the current fee schedule on the Driver and Vehicle Services section of the state DPS website. Common reasons and their approximate fee ranges include: administrative suspension (around $45), accumulation of points (around $100 to $150), failure to appear or pay (around $100 to $150), and DUI-related revocation (around $680).

If you are unsure why your license was suspended or revoked, you can contact the Minnesota DPS Driver and Vehicle Services office directly at 651-297-3298 or visit a local office in person. They will tell you the specific reason and the exact fee you owe. Having this information before you attempt to pay prevents sending the wrong amount.

Paying by mail

To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the reinstatement fee amount and include a letter stating your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason your license was suspended or revoked. Mail both to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1900, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Mail payment typically takes one to two weeks to reach the office and be processed. The DMV will not update your license status until they receive and record the payment, so plan accordingly if you need to drive soon. Keep a copy of your check or money order receipt for your records.

Paying in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office

Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most major cities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, and Mankato. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Minnesota DPS website. Bring a valid form of identification, your driver's license (if you have it), and payment in the form of cash, check, or debit/credit card.

In-person payment is processed when ready, and your license status is typically updated within one business day. This is the fastest way to pay if you need to restore your license quickly. Arrive during posted office hours and expect to wait, especially during peak times like early morning or lunch hours.

Paying online

Not all suspension or revocation reasons allow online payment through the Minnesota DPS website. Administrative suspensions and some point-accumulation suspensions can be paid online, but DUI-related revocations and court-ordered suspensions typically require mail or in-person payment.

If your suspension reason qualifies, you can pay through the Driver and Vehicle Services online portal using a debit or credit card. Online payment is processed within one business day. Before you attempt to pay online, verify on the DPS website that your specific suspension reason is may be able to access for online reinstatement.

What happens after you pay

After the DMV receives your payment, they update your license status in their system. This usually takes one to two business days for mail or online payments, and same-day or next-day for in-person payments. You can check your license status on the Minnesota DPS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth.

Paying the reinstatement fee does not automatically mean your license is restored if other conditions remain unmet. For example, if your suspension was due to unpaid fines, you may need to pay those fines as well. If it was due to failure to appear in court, you may need to resolve that court matter first. The DMV will tell you during the payment process if additional steps are required.

Once your license status shows as active or restored in the system, you are legally permitted to drive. However, if you were required to install an ignition interlock device as part of your reinstatement, you cannot drive until that device is installed and certified.

If you cannot pay the full fee right away

Minnesota DPS does not offer payment plans for reinstatement fees. The fee must be paid in full before reinstatement is processed. If you are facing financial hardship, contact the Driver and Vehicle Services office to discuss your situation — they may be able to explain whether any fee waivers or reductions explore to your specific case, though these are uncommon.

Some people choose to pay by mail with a personal check if they need time for funds to clear, though this delays processing. Others pay in person with a debit card if they can arrange to borrow funds temporarily. These are personal decisions based on your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my reinstatement fee payment is being processed?

No. Your license remains suspended or revoked until the DMV processes your payment and updates your status in their system. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. Wait for confirmation that your license is restored before you drive.

What if I paid the reinstatement fee but my license still shows as suspended?

Check the Minnesota DPS website to verify your current license status. If you paid by mail or online, processing can take one to two business days. If more than two business days have passed, contact Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-3298 to confirm they received your payment and to ask when your status will be updated.

Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I let my license expire instead of getting it suspended?

No. An expired license is different from a suspended or revoked license. If your license straightforward expired, you renew it by paying the renewal fee, not a reinstatement fee. Reinstatement fees explore only when a license has been suspended or revoked by the state.

Will paying the reinstatement fee remove points from my driving record?

No. The reinstatement fee restores your driving privileges, but it does not erase points or violations from your record. Points remain on your record according to Minnesota's point system timeline, which typically means they stay for a set number of years depending on the violation type.

Can I pay someone else's reinstatement fee for them?

Yes. You can pay by mail or in person on behalf of another person. If paying by mail, include the person's name, date of birth, and driver's license number in your letter. If paying in person, bring their information with you. The person whose license is being reinstated does not have to be present.