Minnesota driver's license renewal: the basic path
You can renew your Minnesota driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Most people renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website — it takes about 10 minutes, costs $24.50, and you do not need to take a new photo or pass a test. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
You are may be able to access to renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not had a name change since your last license, and your license is not expired by more than five years. If any of those do not explore to you, you will need to renew in person instead.
Your Minnesota license is valid for four years if you are under 65, or eight years if you are 65 or older. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your license meets the requirements.
- Your new license costs $24.50 and arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- You must renew in person if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired by more than five years, or if you have changed your name.
- Minnesota licenses are valid for four years (under 65) or eight years (65 and older), and you can start the renewal process up to one year early.
- If you renew by mail, include a check or money order for $24.50 and mail your current license to the address provided on the Secretary of State website.
Renewing online through the Secretary of State website
Go to mn.gov/sos and look for the Driver and Vehicle Services section. Click on "Renew Your License" and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are may be able to access for online renewal.
If you are may be able to access, you will answer a few questions about whether your address, name, and medical information are still correct. You will also choose whether you want to renew for four years or eight years (if you are 65 or older). Pay the $24.50 fee with a debit or credit card, and you are done. You will receive a confirmation number by email.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need to update your address before renewing, you can do that on the same website. Do not wait until after you have started the renewal process — update your address first.
Renewing by mail
If you prefer not to renew online, you can mail in your current license along with a check or money order for $24.50. Write your name and driver's license number on the back of the check. Mail everything to the address listed on the Secretary of State website under "Mail Renewal."
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically two to three weeks from the time the office receives your envelope, plus mail time on both ends. Your new license will be mailed back to you once it is processed.
Use mail renewal if you do not have internet access or prefer not to provide payment information online. You will still need to meet the same requirements as online renewal: your license cannot be suspended or revoked, you cannot have changed your name, and your license cannot be expired by more than five years.
Renewing in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office
You must renew in person if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have changed your name since your last license was issued, or if your license has been expired for more than five years. You will also need to renew in person if you want to update your photo or change other information that cannot be changed online.
Find your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services office on the Secretary of State website and check their hours before you go. Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. You will pay $24.50 and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your new license typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license is suspended or revoked
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go to a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. The office will tell you whether the suspension or revocation can be lifted and what you need to do.
Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or unpaid child support. Revocation is more serious and usually results from multiple violations or a DUI conviction. The steps to restore your license depend on the reason for the suspension or revocation.
Contact the Driver and Vehicle Services office or call 651-296-6911 before you visit to find out what documents you need to bring and whether your suspension or revocation can be resolved at that office or requires action elsewhere.
Renewing with a name change
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or a legal name change — you must renew in person. You cannot use online or mail renewal.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and a certified copy of the document showing your name change. For a marriage, bring a certified marriage certificate. For a divorce, bring a certified divorce decree. For a legal name change, bring a certified court order.
The office will issue a new license with your updated name. There is no additional fee beyond the standard $24.50 renewal cost.
License expiration and driving with an expired license
Your Minnesota license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the front of your card. You can continue to drive for up to 60 days after your license expires while your renewal is being processed, as long as you have submitted your renewal process before the expiration date.
If your license has been expired for more than 60 days and you have not submitted a renewal, you cannot legally drive. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited for driving with an expired license. You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
To avoid this situation, start your renewal at least two weeks before your expiration date. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes only 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if I am over 65?
Yes. You are may be able to access for online renewal as long as your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not changed your name, and your license is not expired by more than five years. If you renew online, you can choose to renew for four years or eight years. Licenses for people 65 and older are valid for eight years.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
Contact a Driver and Vehicle Services office directly at 651-296-6911. You will need to renew in person and bring documentation of your immigration status or other proof of identity. The office can tell you what documents are acceptable.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
After you renew online or by mail, your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?
No. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it. You must explore for a new license, which requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a road test. Contact a Driver and Vehicle Services office for details.
What if I move after I renew online but before my new license arrives?
Contact the Driver and Vehicle Services office at 651-296-6911 as soon as possible and provide your new address. They can redirect your license to your new address. If your license has already been mailed, you may need to pick it up at the office or wait for it to be returned and reissued.