How to Renew Your North Dakota Driver's License in Fargo

Where to renew your North Dakota driver's license in Fargo

In Fargo, you renew your North Dakota driver's license at the North Dakota Department of Transportation Driver's License Division office located at 608 East Boulevard, Fargo, ND 58102. This is the only full-service office in Cass County where you can renew in person. You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your situation — but the Fargo office is where you go if you need to renew the same day or if you're ineligible for remote renewal.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no appointment system; you walk in and take a number. Wait times vary, but mornings and early afternoons are typically shorter than late afternoon. The office does not accept renewals by phone.

Key Takeaways

The Fargo Driver's License Division office is at 608 East Boulevard and handles in-person renewals without appointments during business hours Monday through Friday.
You can renew online at dmv.nd.gov if your license is not suspended, you have not had more than one renewal by mail in a row, and you still have your current license.
Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days and requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and the renewal fee to the state office in Bismarck.
Bring a valid photo ID, proof of North Dakota residency, and your current driver's license to renew in person at the Fargo office.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it — you must resolve the suspension first by paying fines, completing required programs, or waiting out the suspension period.

What documents you need to bring to the Fargo office

For an in-person renewal at the Fargo Driver's License Division office, bring your current North Dakota driver's license, a valid photo ID (such as a passport or military ID), and proof of your current North Dakota address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If your address on your current license matches where you live now, you may not need separate proof, but calling ahead at (701) 328-2725 to confirm what the office requires that day is wise.

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star), you will need to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. If your current license is not REAL ID-compliant and you do not need it to be, you can renew without these documents.

Online renewal through the North Dakota DMV website

You can renew online at dmv.nd.gov if you meet all of these conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not renewed by mail twice in a row, you still have your current physical license in hand, and your license has not been lost or stolen. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.

Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal and your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on your current license until the new one arrives. If you cannot renew online because your license is suspended, you have renewed by mail twice already, or you do not have your current license, you must renew in person at the Fargo office or by mail.

Renewing by mail from anywhere in North Dakota

Mail renewal is an option if you meet the same conditions as online renewal: your license is not suspended, you have not renewed by mail twice in a row, and you still have your current license. read the Driver's License Renewal process (Form SFN 14033) from dmv.nd.gov or pick one up at the Fargo office. Complete the form, include your current license, and mail everything with a check or money order for the renewal fee to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver's License Division, 608 East Boulevard, Fargo, ND 58102.

Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the day the office receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your process. During this time, you can continue to drive on your current license. If your process is incomplete or the fee is wrong, the office will mail it back to you, which adds another week or more to the process. Keep a copy of your form and note the date you mailed it so you can follow up if your new license does not arrive within two weeks.

Renewal fees and what affects the cost

North Dakota driver's license renewal fees vary based on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid. A standard four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. REAL ID-compliant licenses cost the same as standard licenses. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher. The exact amount changes periodically, so check dmv.nd.gov or call the Fargo office at (701) 328-2725 before you go in or mail your payment.

Payment methods at the Fargo office include cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you renew by mail, you must send a check or money order — the office does not accept credit cards by mail. If you renew online, you pay by debit or credit card. Do not send cash by mail. If your payment is rejected or incomplete, your renewal will be delayed.

If your license is suspended or revoked

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. Before you can renew, you must resolve the suspension or revocation. Suspensions in North Dakota happen for reasons such as unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical conditions reported by a doctor, or accumulation of too many points from traffic violations. Revocations are more serious and usually result from DUI convictions or habitual traffic offender status.

To find out why your license is suspended or revoked, call the Fargo Driver's License Division at (701) 328-2725 or visit dmv.nd.gov and use the license status check tool. Once you know the reason, you will need to take specific steps — such as paying fines to the court, completing a substance abuse program, or waiting out a mandatory suspension period — before you can renew. The office staff can tell you what steps explore to your situation and how long the process typically takes.

REAL ID compliance and your Fargo renewal

North Dakota offers both REAL ID-compliant and standard driver's licenses. A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A standard license does not have the star and cannot be used for these purposes after May 7, 2025, though you can still use it to drive.

If you renew in person at the Fargo office and want a REAL ID license, bring proof of citizenship or lawful presence (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) along with your other documents. If you renew online or by mail and your current license is already REAL ID-compliant, your new license will be REAL ID-compliant automatically. If your current license is standard and you renew online or by mail, your new license will also be standard. To switch from standard to REAL ID by mail or online, you must renew in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my North Dakota license if I live outside the state now?

Yes, you can renew by mail or online as long as your license is not suspended and you meet the other renewal conditions. You do not need to be a North Dakota resident to renew a North Dakota license. However, if you have moved to another state permanently, you should consider getting a driver's license from your new state instead, as most states require you to do so within a certain time frame.

How long does my renewed license take to arrive if I renew online?

Online renewals are mailed within 7 to 10 business days of processing. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If your new license does not arrive within two weeks of renewal, contact the Fargo office at (701) 328-2725 to check the status.

What if I need my license renewed the same day?

You must renew in person at the Fargo Driver's License Division office at 608 East Boulevard. Walk in during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), bring your required documents, and you will receive your new license the same day. There is no appointment system, so wait times vary.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets?

If your unpaid tickets have resulted in a license suspension, you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the court that issued the ticket to pay the fine or set up a payment plan. Once the fine is paid, the suspension is typically lifted within one to three business days, and you can then renew.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew in Fargo?

Yes, the Fargo office takes a new photo during in-person renewal. If you renew online or by mail, your photo from your current license is used on your new license unless you request a new photo, which requires an in-person visit.

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.