Where to renew and what documents you need

You can renew your Minnesota driver's license in person at any Deputy Registrar office, or online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website if you meet certain conditions. The online option is faster — you can complete it in minutes from home — but it is only open to people whose licenses are not expired and who do not need to update their address, name, or other personal information.

If you renew in person, bring your current driver's license, proof of residence (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months), and your Social Security number. You will also need to pass a vision test at the office. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the written knowledge test and driving test as well.

The renewal fee is $48 for an eight-year license if you are under 65, or $24 for a four-year license if you are 65 or older. Online renewal costs the same. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at a Deputy Registrar office; online renewal accepts debit and credit cards only.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website takes minutes and costs $48, but only works if your license is not expired and you have no changes to your personal information.
  • In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office requires your current license, proof of residence dated within three months, and a vision test.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to retake the written test and driving test, not just renew.
  • Licenses for people under 65 are valid for eight years; licenses for people 65 and older are valid for four years.

Online renewal: when it works and when you need to go in person

The Minnesota Secretary of State's online renewal system is the fastest path if your circumstances have not changed. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, review your information, pay the fee, and receive your renewal confirmation when ready. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

You cannot use online renewal if your license is already expired, if you need to change your address, if you need to correct your name or date of birth, or if you want to add or remove a restriction (such as corrective lenses). You also cannot renew online if you are a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder. In any of these cases, you must go to a Deputy Registrar office in person.

If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access for online renewal, the Secretary of State website will tell you during the process — you can start the transaction and stop before paying if you find out you are not may be able to access.

Finding a Deputy Registrar office and what to expect

Minnesota has Deputy Registrar offices in most cities and towns. You can find the one nearest you by searching the Secretary of State's office locator on their website; the search shows hours, address, and phone number. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. Call ahead or check the office's page to see whether you need to book a time slot.

Bring all required documents with you — your current license, proof of residence, and your Social Security number. The visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will sit for a vision test, which the office administers on-site. If you pass, you pay the fee and leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.

If you fail the vision test, the office will not issue a renewal. You will need to see an eye care provider, get a corrected vision prescription, and return to the office with documentation of your new prescription before you can renew.

What happens if your license has been expired for a long time

If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it through the normal process — online or in person — without retesting. If your license expired more than five years ago, Minnesota treats it as a new license process, which means you must pass the written knowledge test and the driving test in addition to the vision test.

To prepare for the written test, you can study the Minnesota Driver's Manual, which is free on the Secretary of State website. The test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You take it at the Deputy Registrar office on the day of your appointment. The driving test is a separate appointment scheduled after you pass the written test.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) that expired more than five years ago, the rules are stricter. You will need to retake the written test, the skills test, and the road test. You cannot renew a CDL online under any circumstances.

Address changes and name corrections during renewal

If you need to change your address, you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months), and your Social Security number. The office will update your address on your new license at the time of renewal.

If you need to correct your name — because of marriage, divorce, or a legal name change — you must bring documentation of the change along with your current license and proof of residence. For a marriage, bring your marriage certificate. For a divorce, bring your divorce decree. For a legal name change, bring the court order. The office will verify the document and update your name on your new license.

You cannot make address or name changes online. If you try to renew online and then realize you need to make a change, stop the transaction and go to a Deputy Registrar office instead.

Timeline and what to do if your license expires before your new one arrives

Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days from the time you complete the transaction. In-person renewal takes the same time for your permanent license to arrive by mail, but you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days when you leave the office.

If you are renewing online and your current license will expire before your new one arrives, you can still drive legally on your renewal confirmation email or receipt. Print it or save it to your phone and carry it with your expired license. Law enforcement will recognize it as proof that you have renewed.

If you renewed in person, your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days, which gives you time to receive your permanent license. If your permanent license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Secretary of State's office to report it.

Renewing a license with restrictions or endorsements

If your current license has restrictions (such as corrective lenses required, or automatic transmission only) or endorsements (such as motorcycle or school bus), your new license will carry the same restrictions and endorsements unless you request a change. If you want to remove a restriction, you must go in person and may need to provide documentation — for example, if you want to remove a corrective lenses restriction, you will need an eye care provider's letter stating that you no longer need correction.

If you want to add a new endorsement, such as a motorcycle endorsement, you cannot do that during a regular renewal. You must take a separate endorsement test. Contact a Deputy Registrar office for information about scheduling an endorsement test.

Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals always require in-person visits and may require additional testing depending on your endorsements and medical status. If you hold a CDL, call your local Deputy Registrar office to find out what documents and tests you will need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it is already expired?

No, you cannot renew online if your license is expired. You must go to a Deputy Registrar office in person. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, the renewal process is the same as for an unexpired license. If it expired more than five years ago, you will need to retake the written test and driving test.

What if I do not have proof of residence?

Proof of residence must be dated within the last three months and show your name and current address. If you do not have a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement, you can use other documents such as a bank statement, insurance policy, or government correspondence. Call your local Deputy Registrar office to ask what documents they will accept in your situation.

How long is my new license valid?

Driver's licenses are valid for eight years if you are under 65 years old, or four years if you are 65 or older. Your new license will expire on the same day of the month and year that your current one would have, extended by the full validity period.

What if I moved out of state and now I am back in Minnesota?

If you held a Minnesota license and it is still valid, you can renew it through the normal process. If your Minnesota license expired while you were out of state, the same rules explore: if it expired fewer than five years ago, you renew normally; if it expired more than five years ago, you retake the tests. If you never held a Minnesota license, you will need to explore for a new one, not renew.

Can I renew my license by mail?

No, Minnesota does not offer mail-in renewal. Your options are online renewal (if you are may be able to access) or in-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office. Online renewal is the fastest alternative to going in person.