Renewing Your Minnesota License Online, by Mail, or In Person
Minnesota lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Which method you can use depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website — it takes about 10 minutes, costs $24.50, and your renewed license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online; you must go to an office in person and pass a vision test. If you need a new photo or want to change your address, you can still renew online, but the photo requirement means you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your photo license is printed and mailed.
Your current Minnesota license must not be suspended, revoked, or cancelled. If it is, you will need to resolve that issue before you can renew. Check your status on the Secretary of State website before you start the renewal process.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website costs $24.50 and takes 7 to 10 business days if your license expired within the last five years.
- You can renew by mail if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a new photo or address change.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office and pass a vision test.
- A temporary paper license is issued when ready if you renew online and need a new photo; your permanent license arrives separately by mail.
- Your license cannot be suspended, revoked, or cancelled when you renew — check your status on the Secretary of State website first.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Route
To renew online, go to mn.gov/secretary-of-state and select the Driver License Renewal option. You will need your current Minnesota driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit card, credit card, or electronic check). The system will verify your identity and pull your driving record.
Online renewal works only if your license expired within the last five years, your vision is still valid (no new test needed), and you do not need to change your address or photo. If you want to update your address during renewal, the system will flag you for a new photo, and you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed.
After you complete the online form and pay the $24.50 fee, you will receive a confirmation number. Your renewed license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you selected a new photo, your temporary paper license is valid when ready and will be mailed to you separately.
Mail Renewal: When You Cannot Go Online
You can renew by mail if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a new photo or address change. Request the renewal form by calling the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office at 651-296-6911 or read it from the Secretary of State website. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $24.50 to the address on the form.
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically 3 to 4 weeks from the time the office receives your form. Your renewed license will arrive by mail. Do not send cash; use a check or money order only.
If you need to change your address or want a new photo, you cannot use mail renewal. You must renew online or in person instead.
In-Person Renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services Office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago. You will need to pass a vision test and provide proof of your identity and Minnesota residency. Bring your current or expired Minnesota driver's license, a document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), and proof of your current Minnesota address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).
Find your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services office on the Secretary of State website. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. Call ahead or check online to see if your location takes appointments and what the current wait time is. The renewal fee is $24.50, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Your renewed license is printed on site and issued when ready. You will leave the office with your new license in hand. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
| Renewal Method | Documents Needed | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Current license number, last 4 SSN digits, payment method | $24.50 | 7–10 business days |
| Completed form, check or money order | $24.50 | 3–4 weeks | |
| In Person | Current/expired license, ID proof, address proof, vision test | $24.50 | when ready (15–30 min) |
All renewal methods cost $24.50. If you are 65 or older, the fee is $8.50. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher and varies by endorsement type — call the office for the exact amount.
If you renew online and need a new photo, you will receive a temporary paper license by mail. That temporary license is valid for 30 days. Your permanent photo license will arrive separately in 7 to 10 business days. Do not discard the temporary license until your permanent one arrives.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Renewal
The most common error is trying to renew online when your license expired more than five years ago. The online system will reject your request. You must go to an office in person instead.
Another frequent mistake is mailing a renewal form without a signature. The form must be signed in blue or black ink. If it is not signed, the office will send it back, and you will have to resubmit it.
If you are renewing by mail, do not send cash. The office cannot process cash payments by mail, and your form will be returned. Use a check or money order only, and make it payable to the State of Minnesota.
If your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you cannot renew it. You must contact the Driver and Vehicle Services office to resolve the issue first. Attempting to renew a suspended license will delay your renewal and may result in additional penalties.
What Happens After You Renew
If you renew online or by mail, your renewed license will arrive by mail at the address on file. If you moved recently and updated your address during renewal, your license will be mailed to your new address. Check the confirmation or receipt to confirm the mailing address.
If you renew in person, you leave with your new license when ready. Destroy your old license by cutting it in half or shredding it — do not throw it away whole.
Your new license is valid for eight years from the date of renewal (or until age 65 if you are under 57 when you renew). Keep your license in a safe place and bring it with you whenever you drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?
Yes, but only in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. You will need to pass a vision test. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person; online and mail renewal are not available.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
You can change your address online during renewal, but the system will require a new photo. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent photo license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you do not want a new photo, renew in person at an office instead.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew online?
Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you need a new photo, you will receive a temporary paper license by mail first, valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed.
What if my license is suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. Contact the Driver and Vehicle Services office at 651-296-6911 to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to restore it. Once it is restored, you can renew.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Some offices accept walk-ins, but others require appointments. Check the Secretary of State website or call your local office ahead of time to find out their policy and current wait times.