What happens when your Minnesota driver's license expires
Once your Minnesota driver's license expires, you cannot legally drive in Minnesota or use it as a form of identification. The state does not have a grace period—the moment the expiration date passes, the license is no longer valid. You must renew before you drive again.
The good news is that Minnesota allows you to renew online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office, depending on how long ago it expired and what type of license you hold. The process and fees depend on whether your license expired recently or several years ago.
Minnesota also does not require you to take a new written or road test when you renew a standard driver's license, as long as you meet the vision and medical requirements. However, if your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to pass a vision test and may need to provide additional documentation.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website if your license expired within the last year and you have no medical or vision restrictions.
- If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a DVS office and pass a vision test.
- Renewal by mail takes about two weeks; online renewal is faster but has stricter may be able to access rules.
- The renewal fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.
- You do not need to retake the written or road test unless your license was suspended or revoked, or unless you are upgrading to a different class.
Renewing online if your license expired less than one year ago
Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online only if your license expired within the last 12 months, you have no medical restrictions on your license, and you have not had any suspensions or revocations. You will also need a valid email address and a credit or debit card to pay the fee.
To renew online, go to the Secretary of State's online services portal, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, answer a few security questions, and review your information. You will choose whether you want a four-year license ($24.50) or an eight-year license ($48.50). Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive with a printed confirmation page until your new license arrives.
Online renewal does not include a vision test, so the state assumes your vision has not changed. If you have had vision problems or are unsure whether you still meet Minnesota's vision standards, renew in person instead so you can be tested.
Renewing by mail for licenses expired less than one year ago
If you prefer not to renew online, you can mail in your renewal process. read the Driver's License Renewal process (Form DL-44) from the Secretary of State website, fill it out completely, and mail it along with your expired license and payment to the address listed on the form. Payment can be by check or money order only—credit cards are not accepted by mail.
Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the DVS office receives your process. There is no vision test required for mail renewal if your license expired less than one year ago. Your new license will be mailed to you, and you can drive with a printed confirmation page or a photocopy of your process until it arrives.
Keep a copy of everything you mail for your records. If your process is missing information or your check bounces, the DVS office will contact you, which delays the process further. Double-check that you have signed the process and included the correct fee before mailing.
Renewing in person if your license expired more than one year ago
If your license has been expired for more than 12 months, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. You cannot renew online or by mail. You will need to pass a vision test and bring specific documents to prove your identity and Minnesota residency.
Bring your expired driver's license, proof of identity (such as a passport or state ID), and proof of Minnesota residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You will also need your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your license was issued, bring a document proving the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Visit the Secretary of State's office locator to find the DVS office nearest you and check its hours. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require appointments. Call ahead or check online to see whether you need to schedule a time. The vision test takes a few minutes, and if you pass, you will pay the renewal fee ($24.50 for four years or $48.50 for eight years) and receive your new license on the spot or within a few days by mail, depending on the office.
What to bring to a DVS office for in-person renewal
| Document Type | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of Identity | Passport, state ID, military ID, tribal ID | Must be current or expired less than one year |
| Proof of Residency | Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance bill | Must show your name and current Minnesota address and be dated within the last 60 days |
| Expired Driver's License | Your current expired Minnesota license | Required; bring the physical card |
| Social Security Number | Your SSN (memorized or on a document) | Required; you will provide it verbally or on a form |
| Name Change Document (if applicable) | Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order | Only if your name has changed since your license was issued |
Fees and payment methods for Minnesota license renewal
The renewal fee depends on the length of the license you choose. A four-year license costs $24.50, and an eight-year license costs $48.50. These are the only two options; Minnesota does not offer one-year or two-year renewals. If you renew online or in person, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash. If you renew by mail, you must pay by check or money order.
The fee covers the license itself and the processing. There are no additional charges for vision tests or standard renewals. If you need to replace a lost or damaged license before your renewal date, that is a separate transaction with its own fee ($17.50).
If you are over 65 years old, you may be able to renew for a lower fee or for a longer period. Check with your local DVS office or the Secretary of State website for age-specific renewal options.
Common mistakes to avoid when renewing your expired Minnesota license
The most common mistake is attempting to renew online when you are not may be able to access. If your license expired more than one year ago, the online system will reject your process, and you will have wasted time. Check the expiration date on your license before you start the online process.
Another frequent error is forgetting to bring proof of residency when renewing in person. A utility bill or lease is essential; a driver's license alone is not enough. If you do not have a recent bill in your name, ask a family member for one or bring a bank statement instead.
Do not assume you can drive with an expired license while waiting for your renewal to process. You cannot. If you are pulled over, you can show a printed confirmation page from online renewal or a photocopy of your mail-in process, but these are not legal driving documents. Wait until your new license arrives before driving.
Finally, do not mail your process without making a copy first. If it gets lost in the mail, you will have no proof of what you sent, and the DVS office will have no record of your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired Minnesota license while I wait for my renewal?
No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive. If you renew online or by mail, you can drive with a printed confirmation page or photocopy of your process until your new license arrives, but this is not a legal driving document—it is proof that you have applied. If you are pulled over, you may still be cited for driving with an expired license.
What if I fail the vision test at the DVS office?
If you fail the vision test, you cannot renew your license that day. The DVS office will give you information about corrective lenses or vision care providers. You can return to the office after you have corrected your vision (with glasses or contacts) and retake the test. You will not have to pay the renewal fee again if you return within a certain timeframe; ask the office for details.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the DVS office receives your process. In-person renewal at a DVS office may issue your license on the spot or mail it within a few days, depending on the office. Check with your local office for their specific timeline.
Do I need to retake the written test to renew my expired license?
No, you do not need to retake the written or road test for a standard renewal, even if your license has been expired for several years. You only need to pass a vision test if your license expired more than one year ago. You would only retake the written and road tests if you are upgrading to a different license class (such as from a Class D to a Class A for a motorcycle).
What if my name has changed since my license was issued?
Bring a document proving the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You can renew in person at a DVS office with this document, or you can mail it along with your renewal process. If you renew online, you may not be able to update your name; contact the DVS office to ask whether you need to renew in person instead.