What Minnesota charges to renew your driver's license

A standard driver's license renewal in Minnesota costs $24.50 if you renew by mail or online, or $24.50 if you renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. This is the base fee for a four-year renewal cycle. If you are renewing an ID card instead of a driver's license, the cost is the same.

The fee covers the new card itself, processing, and the four years of validity that follow. You do not pay extra based on how you renew — the price is identical whether you mail in your process, submit it online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, or walk into a DVS office in person.

If you need your license sooner than the standard processing time allows, Minnesota offers expedited renewal for an additional fee. Expedited processing costs $10 on top of the base renewal fee, bringing your total to $34.50. This option is available only when you renew in person at a DVS office.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard driver's license renewal in Minnesota costs $24.50 whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
  • Expedited in-person renewal costs an additional $10 if you need your new license within days instead of weeks.
  • The renewal fee covers four years of validity; you will not pay again until your new expiration date arrives.
  • Minnesota does not charge different fees based on your age, driving record, or license class.
  • If you renew online or by mail, you avoid the trip to a DVS office but will wait longer to receive your card in the mail.

When you can renew online versus in person

Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the fastest way to pay and submit your process, but it does not speed up how long the card takes to arrive. You can renew online if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. The $24.50 fee is charged to your credit or debit card when ready when you submit.

Mail renewal takes longer overall but requires no trip or online account. You request a renewal form from DVS, fill it out by hand, mail it with a check or money order, and wait for your new card to arrive. Processing by mail typically takes three to four weeks after DVS receives your envelope.

In-person renewal at a DVS office is the only option if your license has expired, if you have moved, or if you want expedited processing. You pay the $24.50 base fee (or $34.50 with expedited) at the office, and staff photograph you on the spot. Standard in-person renewal still requires you to wait for the card to be mailed to your address, usually within two to three weeks.

What happens if your license has expired

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as a new driver. This means taking the written test and road test again, paying the full new-driver process fee (which is higher than renewal), and waiting through the full licensing process. Minnesota treats licenses expired longer than one year as lapsed, not straightforward overdue.

If your license expired fewer than 12 months ago, you can still renew it at the standard $24.50 rate, but you must do so in person at a DVS office. Online and mail renewal are not available for expired licenses. Bring your expired license, proof of residence, and proof of identity when you go in.

Additional fees you might encounter

If you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license during renewal, there is no extra charge — the $24.50 renewal fee covers these updates. However, if you are renewing and also requesting a REAL ID-compliant license, Minnesota does not charge extra for REAL ID compliance. All standard renewals now include REAL ID features at no additional cost.

If you lose your license before it expires and need a replacement card before your renewal date, that is a separate transaction. A duplicate license costs $10.50 and is a different process from renewal. Some people renew early and request a duplicate at the same time, which would cost $24.50 plus $10.50.

If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher. CDL renewals cost more than standard license renewals and may include additional testing or medical certification requirements depending on your endorsements.

How to pay and what payment methods Minnesota accepts

Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You will see the $24.50 charge appear on your statement when ready after you submit your process.

In-person renewal at a DVS office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. You pay at the counter when you arrive, before your photograph is taken.

Mail renewal requires a check or money order made out to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Do not send cash through the mail. Include the check or money order with your renewal form in the envelope you mail to the DVS address listed on the form.

Timeline from payment to receiving your new card

When you pay for renewal, you are not paying for faster delivery — you are paying for the license itself. Processing time and mailing time are separate.

Online renewal: You pay when ready, but your process still enters the processing queue. Most online renewals are processed within one to two weeks, then your card is mailed. Total time from payment to card in hand is typically three to four weeks.

In-person renewal: You pay at the office and leave with a receipt. Your card is mailed to your address and typically arrives within two to three weeks. Expedited renewal ($10 extra) prioritizes your process in the queue, cutting processing time to one to two business days, but the card still travels by mail afterward.

Mail renewal: You mail your form with payment. DVS receives it, processes it, and mails your card back. This takes four to six weeks total, depending on mail delivery time on both ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

No. If your license expired more than 12 months ago, Minnesota requires you to reapply as a new driver, which includes taking the written and road tests again. You must do this in person at a DVS office. If your license expired fewer than 12 months ago, you can renew it in person at the standard $24.50 rate.

Is the $24.50 fee the same for everyone?

Yes. Minnesota charges the same renewal fee regardless of your age, driving record, or how long you have held your license. The only additional cost is the $10 expedited fee if you choose that option at an in-person renewal.

Do I have to pay extra to add REAL ID to my license?

No. All Minnesota driver's license renewals now include REAL ID compliance at no extra charge. You do not need to request it separately or pay more.

What if I want to renew early, before my license expires?

You can renew up to one year before your license expires. The cost is still $24.50, and your new license will be valid for four years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date. This means renewing early shortens the total validity period you receive.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind after paying?

Refund policies depend on how you paid and how quickly you contact DVS. If you paid online and have not yet submitted your process, you may be able to cancel. If you paid in person or by mail, contact the DVS office where you paid or mailed your form as soon as possible to ask about a refund.