Where to renew your St. Paul driver's license

In St. Paul, you renew your driver's license at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The main office serving St. Paul is located at 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55101. This is a state office, not a city office — Minnesota handles all driver's license renewals through DVS, which is part of the state Department of Public Safety.

You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your situation. Not all renewals are may be able to access for mail or online renewal, so your first step is to check whether your license qualifies. If it does, you can skip the office visit entirely.

Before you go to the office or submit anything by mail, gather your documents. You will need your current driver's license, proof of identity, and proof of Minnesota residency. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a document showing the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota allows online renewal for most standard licenses that are not expired by more than five years, saving you a trip to the DVS office.
  • Mail renewal is an option if you do not need a new photo and your license is not expired by more than five years.
  • If you renew in person at the St. Paul DVS office, bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency.
  • The renewal fee in Minnesota is $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license, paid at the time of renewal.
  • If your license is expired by more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.

Online renewal: the fastest option for most people

Minnesota's online renewal system is available through the DVS website. You can renew online if your current license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical restrictions, and you do not need a new photo. The process takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home.

To renew online, you will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). You will also answer questions about your address and any changes to your information. Once you submit, your new license is mailed to the address on file — delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal: $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license. You will use the same photo from your current license, so if you want a new photo, you must renew in person or by mail with a new photo.

Mail renewal: renewing without a new photo

If you prefer not to go online or to an office, you can renew by mail. Mail renewal uses the same photo as your current license and works only if your license is not expired by more than five years. You cannot request a new photo by mail.

To renew by mail, contact DVS to request a renewal form, or read it from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Fill out the form, include your current license, and mail it to the address shown on the form along with your payment. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after DVS receives your packet, and your new license arrives by mail.

Mail renewal costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license. You pay by check or money order included with your process.

In-person renewal at the St. Paul DVS office

If your license is expired by more than five years, if you need a new photo, or if you have medical restrictions or other special circumstances, you must renew in person. Walk-ins are accepted at the St. Paul DVS office, but wait times vary. You can also schedule an appointment online through the DVS website, which usually reduces your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of identity (passport, state ID, or birth certificate), and proof of Minnesota residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed, bring the document that shows the change. You will have your photo taken at the office.

The renewal fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license, paid by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at the office.

What happens if your license is expired by more than five years

If your Minnesota driver's license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a DVS office. You will also need to retake the written knowledge test and the driving test before your new license is issued.

Schedule an appointment at the St. Paul DVS office to take the tests. Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal — current license (if you have it), proof of identity, and proof of residency. Study the Minnesota Driver's Manual before you go; it covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The written test has 40 questions and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass.

After you pass the written test, you will take a driving test with a DVS examiner. The test takes about 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, parking, and following traffic laws. Once you pass both tests, you pay the renewal fee and your new license is mailed to you.

Documents you need for St. Paul renewal

The documents required depend on whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. For online and mail renewal, you need your current license and payment information. For in-person renewal, you need three things: your current license, proof of identity, and proof of Minnesota residency.

Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, a state ID card, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a tribal ID. Proof of residency must show your current St. Paul address and be dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance policy, or government mail with your name and address.

If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other legal document showing the name change. If you are renewing after more than five years expired, bring your old license if you still have it, though it is not required.

Renewal fees and payment methods

Minnesota driver's license renewal costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license. You choose the term length when you renew. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

For online renewal, you pay by debit or credit card at the time of submission. For mail renewal, you pay by check or money order included with your process. For in-person renewal at the St. Paul DVS office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Your new license is mailed to the address on file. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at the office (in-person renewal only). The temporary license is valid for 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Your new license is mailed to you after renewal. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days from the time DVS processes your renewal. If you renewed in person and requested a temporary paper license, that temporary is valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent license to arrive.

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

Minnesota does not prevent license renewal based on unpaid traffic fines or tickets. However, if you have a suspended license due to unpaid fines or other reasons, you must clear the suspension before you can renew. Contact DVS or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to clear it.

What if my address has changed since my last license?

You can update your address during renewal, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. For online renewal, enter your new address when prompted. For mail renewal, write your new address on the form. For in-person renewal, tell the DVS staff your new address and bring proof of residency at that address.

Do I need a Real ID to renew my driver's license in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota driver's licenses are not Real ID compliant by default. If you want a Real ID-compliant license, you must request it at renewal and bring additional documents (passport, birth certificate, and proof of residency). Real ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses but are required for federal building access and domestic air travel after May 2025.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it?

If your license is lost or stolen, you must replace it before you can renew. Contact the St. Paul DVS office to report the loss and request a replacement. You will need to pay a replacement fee (separate from renewal) and provide proof of identity and residency. Once you have the replacement, you can renew it at the same time or wait until the replacement expires.