Minnesota driver's license renewal basics
In Minnesota, you can renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. Most people renew by mail or online without taking a new test or sitting for a new photo — you keep your current photo on file unless you choose to update it. The process depends on your license type, how much time is left before expiration, and whether you need a Real ID-compliant license.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice tells you which renewal method you're allowed to use. Some drivers must renew in person; most can use mail or online. The fee varies by license type and renewal method, but generally ranges from $20 to $30 for a standard renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota sends a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before your license expires, and that notice tells you which renewal method you can use.
- You can renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail using your renewal notice, or in person at a DVS office.
- Most renewals do not require a new photo or written test, but you must meet vision and medical requirements, and some drivers must renew in person.
- A Real ID-compliant license requires proof of citizenship and identity in person; a standard Minnesota license does not.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail within 10 to 15 business days of approval, and you can drive on your expired license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal through the Secretary of State website
Online renewal is the fastest method if you're allowed to use it. You go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system confirms your identity and shows you the renewal fee. You pay by credit or debit card and submit. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.
Not every driver can renew online. You're ineligible for online renewal if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you have medical or vision restrictions that need review, if you're under 21, or if your license has been expired for more than one year. If the online system tells you that you cannot renew this way, you'll need to use mail or in-person renewal instead.
After you complete online renewal, your new license is mailed to the address on file. You should receive it within 10 to 15 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification.
Mail renewal using your renewal notice
If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. The notice includes a form you fill out, sign, and mail back with a check or money order for the renewal fee. You do not need to include a new photo or any supporting documents unless the notice specifically asks for them.
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically 2 to 3 weeks for processing, plus mailing time in both directions. If your license expires soon, mail renewal may not be fast enough. You can track the status of your renewal by calling DVS or checking the Secretary of State website if you have your confirmation number.
Your renewed license is mailed to the address on file. You can drive on your expired license until the new one arrives. If your renewal notice was lost or damaged, you can request a replacement notice by phone or online, or you can renew in person instead.
In-person renewal at a DVS office
You must renew in person if your renewal notice says so, if you want to update your photo, if you need a Real ID-compliant license, or if you have medical or vision restrictions that need to be reviewed. Some drivers also choose in-person renewal to get their new license when ready rather than waiting for mail delivery.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If you're renewing for a Real ID, you also need proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) and a second form of identity.
Wait times at DVS offices vary by location and time of day. You can make an appointment online through the Secretary of State website to reduce wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are recommended. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew in person or by mail or online.
Real ID versus standard Minnesota license
A Real ID-compliant license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards. You need a Real ID to board a domestic flight, enter a federal building, or visit a military base. A standard Minnesota license does not have the star and does not meet federal requirements for those purposes, but it remains valid for driving and most other identification needs.
If your current license is standard and you want to upgrade to Real ID, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship and identity. The fee is the same. If your current license is already Real ID-compliant, you can renew by mail or online and keep the Real ID status — you do not need to bring citizenship documents again.
Minnesota will not force you to get a Real ID. You can continue to renew a standard license indefinitely. However, if you plan to fly domestically or access federal buildings, upgrading to Real ID during your next renewal is simpler than waiting and upgrading later.
Vision and medical requirements
Minnesota requires all drivers to meet vision standards: you must see at least 20/40 in each eye with or without correction, and your visual field must be at least 140 degrees. If your vision has changed since your last license was issued, you may be asked to have an eye exam before renewal is approved.
Some medical conditions require a review before renewal. If you have a condition that affects your ability to drive safely — such as seizures, severe arthritis, or certain heart conditions — DVS may ask you to submit a medical form signed by your doctor. If you're unsure whether your condition requires review, call DVS or ask when you receive your renewal notice.
If you fail the vision test or your medical review is denied, you can request a hearing or submit additional medical documentation. You can also renew your license with restrictions — for example, glasses required, daylight driving only, or hand controls required — if your condition allows safe driving under those limits.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A standard four-year Minnesota driver's license renewal costs $20.50. A Real ID renewal costs $24.50. These fees explore whether you renew by mail, online, or in person. If you're renewing early — before your current license expires — the fee is prorated based on how much time you're adding.
Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Do not send cash by mail. If you're paying by check or money order, make it out to "Minnesota Department of Public Safety."
If your renewal is denied for any reason, you are not charged a fee. If you pay and then your renewal is denied, you can request a refund by contacting DVS.
What to do if your license expires before renewal arrives
Your renewed license should arrive within 10 to 15 business days of approval, but mail delays can happen. If your license expires before the new one arrives, you can still drive legally — your expired license remains valid for driving purposes until the new one is issued. However, you should not use an expired license for identification in other contexts, such as boarding a plane or entering a bar.
If you need a new license urgently — for example, if you're traveling soon — you can visit a DVS office and request a temporary license while your renewal is processing. A temporary license is valid for 30 days and can be used for driving and identification. There is no additional fee for a temporary license if you're already renewing.
If your renewal has been processing for more than three weeks and you have not received your license, contact DVS to check the status. You can call or use the online status tool on the Secretary of State website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota license if it's been expired for more than a year?
No, you cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than one year. You must renew in person at a DVS office. Bring your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address. You may also be asked to retake the written test and vision test.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Not unless you want one. Most renewals keep your current photo on file. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DVS office. There is no additional fee for a new photo during renewal.
What if I moved and my renewal notice went to my old address?
Contact DVS and provide your new address. They can send a replacement renewal notice to your current address, or you can renew in person at a DVS office. You'll need proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within 90 days.
Can I renew early, before my license expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. The fee is prorated based on how much time you're adding. Early renewal is useful if you're about to travel or if you want to upgrade to a Real ID before your current license expires.
What happens if I renew online but then need to update my address or photo?
If you renew online and then need to change your address, contact DVS before your new license is mailed and they can update it. If your new license has already been mailed with the wrong address, you can update your address at a DVS office or by mail, and a corrected license will be issued. If you want a new photo after renewing online, you must visit a DVS office and pay a photo update fee.