You can renew an expired Minnesota license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you need a Real ID.

Minnesota does not allow you to drive on an expired license, even if the expiration was recent. The state treats an expired license the same as having no license for enforcement purposes. However, the renewal process is straightforward and does not require you to retake the written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than five years, or unless you are renewing a commercial license.

The method you use to renew depends on three things: how long your license has been expired, whether you want a Real ID, and whether you can meet the state's document requirements without visiting an office in person. Most people can renew by mail or online within days, but some situations require an in-person visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota allows online renewal for most expired licenses that expired less than five years ago, and the new license arrives in 5 to 7 business days.
  • Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and requires you to send in your expired license, a completed form, and payment; you do not need to visit an office.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office and may need to pass the written test again.
  • Real ID renewal requires an in-person visit and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, even if your standard license can be renewed by mail.
  • You cannot legally drive until your new license arrives; Minnesota does not issue temporary licenses for expired renewals.

Online Renewal for Recently Expired Licenses

If your Minnesota license expired less than five years ago and you do not need a Real ID, you can renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website. The process takes about 10 minutes and your new license will be mailed to you within 5 to 7 business days.

To renew online, you will need your expired license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). Minnesota charges $24.50 for a standard five-year renewal. The online system will verify your identity using information from your driver's license record and will not require you to upload documents or visit an office.

Online renewal is not available if you are renewing a commercial license, if your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you are changing your name or address. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Mail Renewal as an Alternative to In-Person Visits

You can renew by mail if your license expired less than five years ago. Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal—typically 2 to 3 weeks—but it requires no office visit and works for most people who cannot renew online.

To renew by mail, complete Form HSMV 4014 (process for Minnesota Driver's License or Instruction Permit), sign it, and mail it along with your expired license and a check or money order for $24.50 to the address listed on the form. You can read the form from the Minnesota Secretary of State website or request it by phone at 651-296-6911. Do not send cash.

Mail renewal does not work if you need to change your name, if you are renewing a commercial license, or if your license was suspended or revoked. It also does not work for Real ID renewal. If any of these explore, you must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person.

In-Person Renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services Office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you are renewing a commercial license, if you need a Real ID, or if your license was suspended or revoked. Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most counties; you can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Secretary of State website.

Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment ($24.50 for a standard renewal, or $32.50 for a Real ID). If you are renewing a Real ID, you must also bring proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. If you are renewing a commercial license, bring proof of your medical certification if it has changed.

If your license expired more than five years ago, the office staff will determine whether you need to retake the written test. This depends on your age and the length of the expiration. You may also be asked to pass a vision test. If you are required to take the written test, you will take it at the office during your visit.

Real ID Renewal Requirements and Timeline

Real ID renewal always requires an in-person visit, even if your license expired recently and you could renew a standard license by mail or online. Real ID is a federal standard that requires additional identity verification; Minnesota began issuing Real ID licenses in 2017.

To renew a Real ID, bring your expired Real ID license, proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate), proof of your current address, and $32.50. The office will verify your documents and issue a new Real ID license on the spot or mail it to you within 5 to 7 business days, depending on the office's procedures.

If you do not have proof of citizenship readily available, you can renew as a standard (non-Real ID) license by mail or online instead, then upgrade to Real ID later in person. However, Real ID is required for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building, so most people renew to Real ID when their license expires.

What Happens if Your License Expired More Than Five Years Ago

If your Minnesota license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. The office will review your record to determine whether you need to retake the written knowledge test.

The written test requirement depends on your age and how long the license has been expired. If you are over 65, you may be required to take the test. If you are under 65 and the license expired more than five years ago, you may also be required to take it. The office staff will tell you at your visit whether the test is required.

If you are required to take the written test, you will take it at the office during your visit. You do not need to study in advance if you have a valid Minnesota license history, but you should be prepared to answer questions about traffic laws and road signs. If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment.

Fees and Payment Methods for Minnesota License Renewal

A standard five-year Minnesota driver's license renewal costs $24.50. A Real ID renewal costs $32.50. These are the only fees for renewal; there are no additional processing fees or surcharges.

For online renewal, you can pay by debit or credit card. For mail renewal, send a check or money order made out to the State of Minnesota; do not send cash. For in-person renewal, most offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card, but call ahead to confirm your local office's payment methods.

If you renew by mail and your process is rejected (for example, because your documents are incomplete), the state will return your payment and notify you of what is missing. You will then need to resubmit or visit an office in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?

No. Minnesota does not issue temporary licenses or grace periods for expired renewals. You cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. If you need to drive before your renewal is complete, you must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person to receive an when ready license.

What if I lost my expired license and cannot mail it in?

You can still renew by mail without the physical license. Include a note explaining that your license is lost, and the state will process your renewal. You will still need to complete the process form and send payment. If you prefer, you can visit an office in person instead.

Do I need to retake the written test if my license expired less than five years ago?

No. If your license expired less than five years ago, you do not need to retake any test, regardless of whether you renew by mail, online, or in person. The test requirement only applies if your license has been expired for more than five years.

Can I renew online if I am changing my address?

No. Online renewal does not allow address changes. If you need to change your address, you must renew by mail or in person. For mail renewal, write your new address on the process form. For in-person renewal, bring proof of your new address.

How long does it take to get a Real ID if I renew in person?

Some Driver and Vehicle Services offices issue Real ID licenses on the spot; others mail them within 5 to 7 business days. Call your local office to ask whether they issue Real ID when ready or by mail.