Where to renew your Minnesota license
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 — it takes about 10 minutes — but not everyone is may be able to access. In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar takes longer but works for nearly all drivers.
Deputy Registrar offices are scattered across the state in city halls, county offices, and private licensing locations. You can find the one nearest you on the Secretary of State's office locator tool. These offices handle the full renewal process, including new photos and vision tests if required.
The Secretary of State's online renewal system lets you renew without leaving home, but only if your license is not expired, you have not had a name change since your last license, and your address on file is current. You will still need to visit a Deputy Registrar within 30 days to have your photo taken and receive your new card.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Secretary of State website takes about 10 minutes but requires an in-person photo appointment within 30 days afterward.
- In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office is the standard route and works for all drivers, including those with name changes or expired licenses.
- You will need your current license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number.
- Renewal fees vary depending on how long your new license is valid — typically $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the written and driving tests instead of renewing.
Documents you need to bring
Bring your current Minnesota driver's license or state ID card. If you do not have it, bring a passport or passport card instead. You will also need one document that proves your current address — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days.
Have your Social Security number ready. You do not need to bring a physical card, but you must know the number. If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, you cannot renew online and will need to renew in person at a Deputy Registrar.
Bring payment for the renewal fee. Deputy Registrar offices accept cash, check, and card, but policies vary by location — call ahead if you want to confirm what they take. If you renew online, you will pay by card during the online transaction.
Online renewal step by step
Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and select the driver's license renewal option. You will answer questions about your current license, address, and whether anything has changed since it was issued. The system will tell you when ready whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are not, you will need to visit a Deputy Registrar instead.
If you are may be able to access, you will enter your payment information and complete the transaction. The Secretary of State will mail you a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days. During those 30 days, you must visit a Deputy Registrar office to have your photo taken. Bring the temporary license and your proof of residence with you.
The Deputy Registrar will take your photo, verify your information, and give you your new plastic license on the spot. If you do not visit within 30 days, your temporary license expires and you will need to start the renewal process over.
In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar
Walk in or call ahead to schedule an appointment — some offices take walk-ins, others require appointments, and policies differ by location. Bring your current license, proof of residence, and payment. The Deputy Registrar will check your vision, take your photo, and process your renewal in one visit.
The entire process usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You will receive your new license on the spot or within a few days by mail, depending on the office. Ask when you arrive which method they use.
If your vision test shows you need corrective lenses to drive safely, the Deputy Registrar will note that on your license. If you fail the vision test, you will not be able to renew and will need to see an eye doctor first.
Renewal fees and how long your license lasts
A four-year license costs $24. An eight-year license costs $48. You choose which length you want when you renew. Most people choose the eight-year option because it spreads the cost over more years, but you can pick either one.
Your new license will expire on your birthday in the year it is set to expire. If you renew online, the Secretary of State will tell you the expiration date before you pay. If you renew in person, the Deputy Registrar will tell you when you arrive.
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. If it has been expired for five years or longer, Minnesota treats it as a new license process rather than a renewal. You will need to retake the written test and the driving test, not just renew.
You can study for the written test using the Minnesota Driver's Manual, which is free on the Secretary of State website. The driving test must be scheduled at a Deputy Registrar office and usually takes about 30 minutes. Call ahead to find out which offices near you offer driving tests and how far in advance you need to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have moved to a new address?
Yes. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you renew online, you will enter your new address during the transaction. If you renew in person, tell the Deputy Registrar your new address and they will update it.
What if I lost my current license?
You can still renew, but you will need to bring a passport or passport card instead of your driver's license. Go to a Deputy Registrar office in person — you cannot renew online without your current license number. The Deputy Registrar will issue you a new license with a new number.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
Yes. A new photo is taken at every renewal, whether you renew online or in person. If you renew online, you will have your photo taken at the Deputy Registrar office during your 30-day window. If you renew in person, the photo is taken during that visit.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
If you renew in person at a Deputy Registrar, you usually receive your license on the spot or within a few days. If you renew online, you get a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic license arrives by mail after your photo appointment — typically within one to two weeks.
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid a long wait closer to your expiration date. The new expiration date will be calculated from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew.