How to Renew Your Minnesota Driver's License in Minneapolis

Where to Renew in Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, you renew your driver's license at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office, not at a local city location. The main Minneapolis DVS office is located at 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55101 — about 10 miles east of downtown Minneapolis. You can also renew at any other DVS location across Minnesota if that is more convenient.

DVS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and some locations offer Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal, but wait times vary. The St. Paul location typically has shorter waits on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. You can check current wait times on the Minnesota DVS website before you go.

If you cannot visit an office in person, Minnesota allows mail-in renewal for certain situations: if your license is not expiring within 30 days, if you have not renewed by mail in the past eight years, and if you meet other specific conditions. Mail-in renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs the same as in-person renewal.

Key Takeaways

You must renew at a Minnesota DVS office; Minneapolis has no separate city renewal location.
Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and your Social Security number or ITIN.
Standard renewal costs $48 for an eight-year license; Real ID-compliant licenses cost $52.
You can renew up to one year before your license expires, and the new expiration date is eight years from the date you renew.
Mail-in renewal is an option if your license is not expiring within 30 days and you have not renewed by mail in the past eight years.

Documents You Need to Bring

Bring your current Minnesota driver's license or ID card. If you have lost it, you will need to report it to DVS before you can renew. You will also need one document proving your current Minnesota address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax statement, or a letter from a government agency dated within the past 30 days. A bank statement or credit card statement does not count.

You must provide your Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). DVS verifies this against federal records. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your ITIN documentation. You will also need to sign a form confirming your address and other information on your current license has not changed, or provide updated information if it has.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DVS will not process a renewal with a name change without this document.

Fees and License Types

A standard eight-year Minnesota driver's license renewal costs $48. If you want a Real ID-compliant license, the cost is $52. Real ID licenses meet federal requirements for air travel and entry to federal buildings; a standard license does not. Both types are valid for driving in Minnesota.

You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DVS office. If you renew by mail, you must include a check or money order; DVS does not accept card payments for mail renewals. There are no additional fees for vision tests or other services during a standard renewal.

If you renew before your current license expires, your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired. This means if you renew one year early, you do not get that year back — your new expiration date moves forward by eight years from the renewal date.

The Renewal Process Step by Step

Step 1: Check your expiration date. Your license is valid to renew up to one year before it expires. If it has already expired, you cannot renew; you must reapply for a new license, which requires additional documents and a vision test.

Step 2: Gather your documents. Collect your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN. If your name has changed, bring the legal document proving the change.

Step 3: Visit a DVS office or submit by mail. If you go in person, arrive during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; some Saturdays). If you mail your renewal, include your current license, a completed renewal form (available on the Minnesota DVS website), proof of residency, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail it to the address listed on the form.

Step 4: Complete the renewal form. At the office, you will fill out a form confirming your address and other information. If anything has changed, update it on the form. You will sign the form in front of a DVS employee.

Step 5: Pay the fee. Pay $48 for a standard license or $52 for Real ID. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 5 to 7 business days.

What Happens If Your Address or Information Has Changed

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address during renewal. Bring a document proving your new Minneapolis address dated within the past 30 days. DVS will print your new address on your renewed license. You do not need to notify DVS separately before you renew; the address update happens as part of the renewal process.

If your name has changed, bring the legal document proving the change and update your name on the renewal form. DVS will issue a license with your new name. If your vision has changed significantly since your last license, you may be asked to take a vision test, though this is not routine during renewal.

Mail-In Renewal: When It Works and When It Does Not

Minnesota allows mail-in renewal if all of these conditions are true: your license is not expiring within 30 days, you have not renewed by mail in the past eight years, you have not had any violations or suspensions since your last renewal, and your address has not changed. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person at a DVS office.

To renew by mail, read the renewal form from the Minnesota DVS website, complete it, and mail it with your current license, proof of residency, and a check or money order to the address on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file. If DVS needs more information or finds a problem, they will contact you by mail, which can delay the process.

Mail-in renewal is slower than in-person renewal and offers no way to fix problems when ready. If you are close to your expiration date or have any doubt about your status, renew in person instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not wait until your license expires to renew. Once it expires, you cannot renew; you must reapply for a new license, which requires a vision test, a new photo, and additional documents. Renew at least 30 days before your expiration date.

Do not bring a bank statement or credit card as proof of residency. DVS requires a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax statement, or government letter dated within 30 days. A bank statement will not be accepted, and you will have to go home and come back.

Do not assume your address update will happen automatically. You must bring a document proving your new address and update it on the renewal form. If you do not, your license will still show your old address, and you may have trouble with law enforcement or other agencies.

Do not renew by mail if your license is expiring within 30 days. Mail-in processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, and if there is any delay, your license could expire before the new one arrives. Go to a DVS office instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Minnesota does not offer online renewal. You must renew in person at a DVS office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster — you receive your new license in 5 to 7 business days instead of 2 to 3 weeks.

What if I have a suspended or revoked license?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must contact DVS to resolve the suspension or revocation first. Call the Minnesota DVS at 651-297-3298 to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take.

Do I need a Real ID license to drive in Minnesota?

No. A standard Minnesota driver's license is valid for driving anywhere in the state. Real ID is required only for federal air travel and entry to federal buildings. If you do not fly or visit federal facilities, a standard license is sufficient.

How long does in-person renewal take at the DVS office?

Wait times vary by location and time of day. The St. Paul DVS office typically has shorter waits on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. You can check current wait times on the Minnesota DVS website. The renewal process itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes once you reach the counter.

What if my name on my license does not match my current legal name?

Bring the legal document proving your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — and update your name on the renewal form. DVS will issue a new license with your current legal name. Without the legal document, DVS will not process the name change.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.