Renew your Minnesota license online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Minnesota driver's license through three routes: online at realid.sos.state.mn.us, by mail using a renewal form, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. The online method is fastest and costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license. You must renew before your current license expires, though Minnesota gives you a grace period of up to one year after expiration to renew without penalty.

Your renewal method depends on whether your license is a REAL ID (marked with a gold star in the upper right corner) and whether you need to change your address, name, or other information. If your license is not REAL ID compliant and you want one, you must renew in person with original documents. If your current license is already REAL ID compliant and nothing has changed, online renewal is available.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal at realid.sos.state.mn.us takes 10 to 15 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.
  • You can renew online only if your current license is REAL ID compliant and you have not changed your address, name, or other personal information.
  • If you need to change information or upgrade to REAL ID, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office with original documents including proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.
  • Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and works only if your license is REAL ID compliant and your information has not changed.
  • Your license remains valid for one year after expiration, but you cannot legally drive with an expired license even during the grace period.

Check whether you can renew online

Before you start, look at your current license. If there is a gold star in the upper right corner, your license is REAL ID compliant. If there is no star, your license is not REAL ID compliant and you must renew in person.

Next, confirm that your address, name, and other personal information have not changed since your license was issued. If anything has changed — you moved, got married, changed your legal name, or need to update your gender marker — you cannot renew online. You must go in person.

If your license is REAL ID compliant and nothing has changed, you can renew online. If you are unsure whether your information has changed or whether your license is REAL ID compliant, call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126 before you start the online process.

Renew online at realid.sos.state.mn.us

Go to realid.sos.state.mn.us and click "Renew Your Driver's License." You will need your current Minnesota driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history.

Review your personal information on the screen. If anything is incorrect, stop and call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126 to correct it before you pay. Once you submit payment, you cannot change the information online.

Pay the renewal fee using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. You should receive it within 5 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until it expires, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification while you wait.

Renew by mail if your information has not changed

If you prefer not to renew online but your license is REAL ID compliant and your information has not changed, you can renew by mail. Call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126 or visit dps.mn.gov to request a renewal form. You can also pick up a form at any Driver and Vehicle Services office.

Complete the form, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. Your current license remains valid during this time.

Renew in person if your information changed or you need REAL ID

You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office if your address, name, or other personal information has changed, or if your current license is not REAL ID compliant and you want to upgrade. Bring your current Minnesota driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are updating your gender marker, bring a signed statement from a licensed healthcare provider confirming your gender identity, or a court order.

Visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office during business hours. You can find office locations and hours at dps.mn.gov. Bring all required documents and your payment method. The office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. Your new license will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days.

Understand the renewal timeline and costs

Minnesota driver's licenses are valid for four or eight years depending on your age and the type of license. When you renew, you choose the length: four years costs $24.50, and eight years costs $48.50. You pay the same fee whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Your license expires on your birthday in the year it is set to expire. You can renew up to one year before the expiration date. If your license has already expired, you can still renew for up to one year after expiration without penalty, but you cannot legally drive with an expired license. If more than one year has passed since expiration, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing.

What to do if you lose your license before renewal

If your license is lost or stolen before you renew it, you must explore for a replacement, not a renewal. A replacement costs $16.50 and takes 5 to 10 business days by mail. You can explore for a replacement online at realid.sos.state.mn.us if your license is REAL ID compliant and your information has not changed. Otherwise, you must explore in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

Once you receive your replacement license, you can renew it using the same methods described above when it is time to renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

No. If more than one year has passed since your license expired, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing. You will need to pass a written test and vision test, and you may need to take a driving test depending on your age and circumstances. Contact Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126 for details.

What if I moved and did not update my address?

You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days. You cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed.

How long does online renewal take?

The online renewal process itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to you and should arrive within 5 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until it expires, so you can continue to drive while you wait.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail, the state uses your current photo from your existing license. If you renew in person, the office will take a new photo. You cannot request a new photo during online or mail renewal.

What if I want to change my name or gender marker?

You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name, or a signed statement from a licensed healthcare provider confirming your gender identity. The office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot.