What You Need to Do to Renew in North Dakota
North Dakota lets you renew your driver's license in person at a driver's license exam station, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's website. The method you use depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time is left before it expires, and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most people can complete a renewal without taking a new photo or passing a test — but the state has specific rules about who qualifies for each option.
Your North Dakota license is valid for eight years from the date it was issued. You can begin the renewal process up to one year before your license expires, which gives you plenty of time to choose the method that works best for you.
Key Takeaways
- North Dakota offers three renewal paths: online, by mail, or in person at a driver's license exam station.
- Online renewal is available only if your license is still valid and you have not changed your address since your last renewal.
- Mail renewal requires a completed process form and works only if you meet specific conditions about your license status and address.
- In-person renewal at an exam station is always an option and is required if you need to update your address, get a new photo, or if you do not meet the requirements for online or mail renewal.
- You will need to pay a renewal fee, which varies depending on the type of license and the renewal method you choose.
Renewing Online Through the North Dakota Website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew through the North Dakota Department of Transportation website without visiting an office or mailing anything. The entire process takes just a few minutes, and you receive your renewed license by mail within one to two weeks.
You can renew online only if all of these conditions are true: your current license is still valid (not expired), you have not changed your address since your last renewal, you are renewing a standard Class D driver's license, and you do not need a new photo. If any of these do not explore to you, you will need to use the mail or in-person method instead.
To renew online, visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation website, select the driver's license renewal option, and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. You will pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. After you submit, you should receive a confirmation email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal works if your license is still valid and you meet most of the same conditions as online renewal, but it takes longer. You will need to complete Form SFN 14032 (the North Dakota Driver's License process), sign it, and mail it along with your current license and the renewal fee to the address provided by the state.
Like online renewal, mail renewal is available only if your license has not expired, you have not changed your address, and you are renewing a standard Class D license. You cannot use mail renewal if you need a new photo or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) or any other license class.
Mail your completed process, current license, and payment to the North Dakota Department of Transportation at the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks after the state receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to your current address on file. Keep in mind that your current license will not be returned to you, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new license arrives.
Renewing in Person at a Driver's License Exam Station
In-person renewal is required if you need to change your address, get a new photo, renew a commercial driver's license, or if you do not meet the conditions for online or mail renewal. You can visit any North Dakota driver's license exam station — there are offices in most cities and counties across the state.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you have changed your address since your last renewal, you must renew in person. The same applies if your license has expired or if you are renewing a CDL or other non-standard license class.
At the exam station, you will have a new photo taken, complete your process, and pay the renewal fee. The process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your permanent license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. You can drive using the temporary license until your new one arrives.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
The documents you need depend on your renewal method. For online renewal, you need only your driver's license number and date of birth. For mail renewal, you need your current license, a completed Form SFN 14032, and payment. For in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
Renewal fees vary by license type and method. A standard Class D license renewal costs less than a commercial driver's license renewal. Online and mail renewals may have slightly different fees than in-person renewal. Check the North Dakota Department of Transportation website or call your local exam station to confirm the exact fee before you renew.
If you are renewing in person and need to update your address, you may need additional documents depending on your situation. The exam station staff can tell you what you need when you arrive or when you call ahead.
What Happens After You Renew
After you complete your renewal, you will receive a confirmation (by email if you renewed online, or by mail if you used the mail or in-person method). Your new license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license that is valid until your permanent license arrives.
Your old license is no longer valid once your new one arrives. If you renewed by mail, your old license was kept by the state and will not be returned. If you renewed in person, you turned in your old license at the exam station. Keep your new license in a safe place and bring it with you whenever you drive.
If your new license does not arrive within three weeks, contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation to check on the status. If your license is lost or damaged after it arrives, you will need to explore for a replacement, which is a separate process from renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
No, online and mail renewal are available only if your license is still valid. If your license has expired, you must renew in person at a driver's license exam station. You can still drive to the exam station using an expired license, but bring it with you.
What if I have moved since my last renewal?
If you have changed your address, you must renew in person at an exam station. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. You will have a new photo taken and receive a temporary license on the spot.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals take one to two weeks for your new license to arrive by mail. In-person renewal is faster — you receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license arrives within one to two weeks. If you renewed by mail and need to drive before your new license arrives, you cannot use your old license because it was kept by the state.
Can I renew a commercial driver's license online or by mail?
No, commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a driver's license exam station. You may need to pass a written test or skills test depending on your situation, so contact your local exam station before you visit.
What if I need a new photo but do not want to renew in person?
If you want a new photo, you must renew in person. Online and mail renewal do not include a new photo — they use your photo from your current license. In-person renewal at an exam station is the only way to get a new photo during the renewal process.