How to Renew Your Minnesota Driver's License

Minnesota driver's license renewal steps and timelines

In Minnesota, you can renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address. Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 5 to 7 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal at a DVS office is when ready if you need your license the same day.

Your Minnesota driver's license is valid for 4 years if you're under 65, or 8 years if you're 65 or older. You can renew up to 1 year before your expiration date. The state sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires, but you don't have to wait for the notice to start the process.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is available if your license is valid and you haven't changed your name, address, or vision status since your last renewal.
You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card) to renew online.
Mail renewal requires the renewal notice sent by the state, a completed process form, and a check or money order; processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
In-person renewal at any DVS office requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment, and you receive your new license on the spot.
If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, you cannot renew by mail or online and must explore in person as if it were a new license.

Online renewal: fastest option for most drivers

Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the quickest route if you meet the requirements. You are may be able to access if your current license is still valid (not expired), you have not changed your legal name, you have not moved to a different address, and your vision has not changed since your last renewal. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

Go to mn.gov/dvs, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and enter your driver's license number and Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and ask you to confirm your information. You will pay the renewal fee (currently $24.50 for a 4-year license or $48.75 for an 8-year license if you're 65 or older) with a debit or credit card. After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will arrive by mail in 5 to 7 business days.

If the online system tells you that you're not may be able to access, it means you need to renew in person or by mail instead. This happens most often when your address has changed, your name has changed, or the state needs to verify your vision or other information.

Mail renewal: when you have time and a renewal notice

Mail renewal works if your license is still valid and you have received your renewal notice from the state. You will need the notice itself, your current driver's license, and a completed process form (Form DL-44, available on the DVS website or included with your renewal notice).

Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address shown on your renewal notice. Do not send cash. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the DVS office receives your envelope. You can track your process status on the DVS website using your driver's license number.

Mail renewal is not an option if your license has expired more than 1 year ago, if you've changed your name or address, or if you never received a renewal notice. In those cases, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal at a DVS office

Renewing in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office is the right choice if you need your license when ready, if your license has been expired for more than 1 year, or if you've changed your name or address. You will receive your new license on the spot, though you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is.

Bring your current driver's license (or expired license if it's been less than 1 year), proof of your current Minnesota address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment in cash, check, or card. If your name has changed, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you're renewing for the first time after turning 65 and want the 8-year license, bring proof of your age.

Find your nearest DVS office on the state website and check its hours before you go. Some offices take appointments through an online booking system; others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Call ahead if you're unsure.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than a year

If your Minnesota driver's license expired more than 1 year ago, you cannot renew it. Instead, you must explore for a new license as if you were getting one for the first time. This requires an in-person visit to a DVS office, a written knowledge test, a driving skills test, and a new eye exam.

Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number, proof of your Minnesota residency, and proof of your legal name and date of birth (a birth certificate, passport, or state ID). You will also need to provide your current address and phone number. The entire process takes 1 to 2 hours and costs more than a standard renewal.

If you let your license expire by accident and need to drive before you can take the tests, you can request a temporary permit that allows you to drive for a limited time while you prepare. Ask the DVS office about this option when you arrive.

Fees and what to expect in the mail

Minnesota driver's license renewal fees depend on your age and how long you want the license to be valid. A 4-year license costs $24.50. An 8-year license (available only to drivers 65 and older) costs $48.75. These fees do not include any additional charges for name changes, address updates, or other services.

When your new license arrives by mail, it will come in a standard envelope with no tracking number. If you renewed online or by mail, allow 5 to 7 business days for delivery. If you renewed in person, you receive it when ready. Your old license becomes invalid once your new one arrives, so you can throw it away or keep it for your records.

If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days of your renewal date, contact the DVS office to check the status. You can also request a replacement license if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged, though that is a separate process from renewal.

Name or address changes during renewal

If you've moved to a new Minnesota address since your last renewal, you must update your address. You can do this online if you're renewing online — the system will ask you to confirm or change your address. If you're renewing by mail or in person, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days).

If your legal name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change. The DVS office will update your name in the system and issue a new license with your current legal name.

Updating your address or name during renewal does not cost extra — it's included in the standard renewal fee. However, if you change your address after you've already renewed, you can update it separately on the DVS website or by visiting an office in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Minnesota driver's license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to 1 year before your expiration date. This is useful if you're planning a trip or want to avoid the rush closer to your expiration date. The new license will be valid for 4 or 8 years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expires.

What if I'm a Minnesota resident but my license was issued in another state?

You cannot renew an out-of-state license in Minnesota. You must explore for a new Minnesota license in person at a DVS office. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Minnesota residency, proof of your legal name and date of birth, and your Social Security number. You will take a written test and an eye exam.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

If you renew online or by mail, your photo from your previous license is used. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DVS office. The office will take a new photo as part of the in-person renewal process at no extra cost.

What if my renewal notice got lost in the mail?

You don't need the notice to renew. You can renew online using your driver's license number and Social Security number, or you can visit a DVS office in person. If you want a replacement notice, you can request one on the DVS website or by calling the office.

How long is my license valid after I renew?

A renewed Minnesota driver's license is valid for 4 years if you're under 65, or 8 years if you're 65 or older. The expiration date is printed on the front of your new license. You can renew again up to 1 year before that date.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.