Where to Renew Your License in Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, you renew your driver license at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The main Minneapolis location is at 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 200, in downtown Minneapolis. This is a state office, not a city office — Minnesota handles all license renewals through DVS, which operates statewide.

You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your license type and how much time remains before expiration. The online option is the fastest route if you are may be able to access, and the mail option works if you cannot visit an office in person. Each method has different requirements and timelines, which are covered in the sections below.

Before you go to the office or submit anything by mail, check your current license to see your expiration date and license class. Minnesota renews licenses on a staggered schedule based on your birth month, so your renewal window may not have opened yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota allows online renewal for most standard driver licenses if you have fewer than two years until expiration and no medical restrictions.
  • Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the date DVS receives your materials, so send your renewal at least six weeks before your license expires.
  • In-person renewal at the Minneapolis DVS office requires your current license, proof of residence, and the renewal form — no appointment is needed, but wait times vary by day and time.
  • The renewal fee is $48 for a four-year license or $68 for an eight-year license; you cannot choose the length online, but you can at an office or by mail.
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online and must visit an office in person.

Online Renewal: The Fastest Option

Online renewal through the Minnesota DVS website takes about 10 minutes and you receive your renewed license by mail within two to three weeks. You are may be able to access if your current license is not expired, you have fewer than two years until expiration, you have no medical restrictions or conditions noted on your license, and your address on file is current.

Go to mn.gov/dvs and select "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $48 for a four-year renewal. Once you complete the transaction, DVS mails your new license to the address on file — you cannot change your address online, so if you have moved, use mail or in-person renewal instead.

One common mistake: checking the expiration date wrong. Minnesota prints the expiration date in the bottom right corner of your license. If you are within two years of that date, you are may be able to access. If you are more than two years away, the system will reject your process and tell you to try again closer to expiration.

Mail Renewal: When You Cannot Visit an Office

Mail renewal works if your license is not expired, you have fewer than two years until expiration, and you have no medical restrictions. You can also change your address by mail, which you cannot do online.

Request the renewal form by calling DVS at 651-297-3298 or read it from mn.gov/dvs (search for "License Renewal by Mail"). Fill out the form completely, sign it, and include your current license (or a photocopy if you need to keep the original). Include a copy of proof of residence — a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with your name and current address. Mail everything to the address listed on the form.

Processing takes four to six weeks from the date DVS receives your materials. Send your renewal at least six weeks before expiration to avoid a gap. Include a check or money order for $48 (four-year) or $68 (eight-year) — you can choose the length by mail, unlike online. Do not send cash. If you want to change your address, write the new address clearly on the form and include proof of residence at that address.

In-Person Renewal at the Minneapolis DVS Office

The Minneapolis DVS office at 445 Minnesota Street is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No appointment is required, but wait times can be 30 minutes to two hours depending on the day and time. Weekday mornings are typically shorter than afternoons or Saturdays.

Bring your current driver license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail), and payment (cash, debit, or credit card). You can choose a four-year ($48) or eight-year ($68) license at the office. If your address has changed, bring proof of your new address. The office will issue you a temporary paper license on the spot, and your new plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

If you have medical conditions or restrictions that need to be reviewed or updated, you must renew in person — the office staff can assess whether any restrictions explore. If you wear corrective lenses, bring your glasses or contacts with you so the examiner can verify your vision meets the requirement.

What Happens If Your License Is Expired

If your license has been expired for fewer than 12 months, you can still renew by mail or online using the standard process. However, if your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use mail or online renewal — you must visit the Minneapolis DVS office in person.

When you renew an expired license in person, bring the same documents (current license, proof of residence, payment), but be prepared for a longer appointment because the examiner may need to verify your identity more carefully. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and the plastic license by mail within two to three weeks.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Minnesota, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Do not delay — if your license expired more than a year ago, visit the office as soon as possible.

Address Changes and License Updates

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address during renewal. Online renewal does not allow address changes, so use mail or in-person renewal instead. For mail renewal, include proof of residence at your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement). For in-person renewal, bring the same proof and the office will update your address when ready.

If you need to change your name, add or remove medical restrictions, or update your organ donor status, you must renew in person at the Minneapolis office. The office staff can make these changes while you wait. Bring any supporting documents (marriage certificate for a name change, medical documentation for restrictions, etc.) along with your standard renewal materials.

Fees and Payment Methods

Minnesota driver license renewal costs $48 for a four-year license or $68 for an eight-year license. You choose the length when you renew in person or by mail; online renewal defaults to four years. Payment methods vary by renewal type: online accepts debit or credit card only; mail accepts check or money order only (do not send cash); in-person accepts cash, debit, or credit card.

There are no additional fees for address changes, name changes, or medical updates made during renewal. If you need a duplicate license (because yours was lost or stolen), that is a separate transaction with its own fee and process — contact DVS directly for that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Minnesota does not suspend license renewal for unpaid traffic fines. However, if your license has been suspended for a separate reason (unpaid child support, unpaid criminal fines, or a medical suspension), you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact DVS at 651-297-3298 to check your suspension status before you attempt to renew.

What if I lost my current license and cannot bring it to the office?

You can still renew in person without your physical license. Bring your proof of residence and payment, and tell the examiner your license is lost. The office can look up your record by name and date of birth. You will need to pay a small additional fee for a duplicate, but the renewal and duplicate can be processed together.

How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?

After you renew online or in person, your new plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. Mail renewal takes longer — four to six weeks from the date DVS receives your materials. You receive a temporary paper license when ready at the office or online, which is valid for driving until your plastic license arrives.

Can I renew my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, Minnesota issues driver licenses to lawful permanent residents and certain visa holders. You must have valid immigration documentation. If you are renewing and your immigration status has not changed, the renewal process is the same. If your status has changed or you are unsure, contact DVS before you renew.

What if my renewal is rejected online?

The most common reasons are: your license is already expired (more than zero days past expiration), you are more than two years away from expiration, you have medical restrictions on your license, or your address on file is outdated. The online system will tell you which issue applies. Use mail or in-person renewal instead, or call DVS at 651-297-3298 to resolve the problem before trying again.