Minnesota driver's license renewal by mail, online, or in person

You can renew your Minnesota driver's license through three routes: online at mn.gov/dvs, by mail using the renewal notice the state sends you, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Online renewal is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal is when ready if you need your license the same day, but you will wait in line.

Which route you take depends on whether your license is expiring soon, whether you have moved, and whether your name or appearance has changed significantly. If you have moved out of state or your license was suspended, you cannot use online or mail renewal — you must go in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota sends renewal notices 60 days before your license expires; check your mail or log into your account at mn.gov/dvs to see your expiration date.
  • Online renewal works only if your address has not changed, your name matches your Social Security record, and your license was not suspended or revoked.
  • Mail renewal uses the form in your renewal notice and takes 2 to 3 weeks; you will need a check or money order for the $24 fee.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office requires a current ID and proof of residence, and you walk out with your new license the same day.
  • If you have moved to Minnesota from another state, you must renew in person and bring your out-of-state license plus proof of Minnesota residency.

Online renewal: fastest option if your information has not changed

Online renewal through mn.gov/dvs is the quickest path if your address, name, and license status have not changed since your last renewal. You will need your current Minnesota driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The fee is $24, paid by debit or credit card.

Log into your account, confirm your information, upload a new photo if the state requires one (this depends on how long it has been since your last photo), and submit. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal will not work if you have moved, changed your name, or if your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled. The system will tell you when ready if you are ineligible and direct you to mail or in-person options.

Mail renewal: use the form in your renewal notice

Minnesota mails renewal notices to the address on file about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a form, instructions, and a postage-paid envelope. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $24 made out to "Minnesota Department of Public Safety," and mail it back in the envelope provided.

Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the state receives your form. You can drive on your current license while you wait. If you do not receive a renewal notice, you can read the form from mn.gov/dvs or call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126 to request one.

Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your address cannot have changed, your name must match your Social Security record, and your license cannot be suspended or revoked. If any of these explore to you, renew in person instead.

In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office

Visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office if you need your license the same day, if your address or name has changed, or if your license was suspended or revoked. Bring your current Minnesota driver's license and one document proving your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work.

The fee is $24, paid by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. You will take a new photo and sign a new process. Your new license is printed on site and you leave with it. Wait times vary by location and time of day; check mn.gov/dvs for office hours and locations near you.

If you have moved to Minnesota from another state, you must renew in person. Bring your out-of-state driver's license, proof of Minnesota residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). The fee is still $24.

What to do if your license has been suspended or revoked

If your Minnesota driver's license was suspended or revoked — usually for unpaid traffic fines, DWI conviction, or accumulating too many points — you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go in person to a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

Before you renew, you need to resolve the reason for the suspension or revocation. This might mean paying outstanding fines to the court, completing a DWI program, or waiting out a mandatory suspension period. Call the office at 651-297-2126 to confirm what you need to do before you visit.

Renewing after a name change or move

If you have changed your name since your last renewal — through marriage, divorce, or legal petition — renew in person. Bring your current Minnesota license, a document showing your new name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your current address.

If you have moved within Minnesota, you can renew online or by mail as long as you update your address first. Log into mn.gov/dvs and update your address, then proceed with online or mail renewal. If you have moved to Minnesota from another state, you must renew in person and bring proof of your new Minnesota address.

Real ID compliance and Minnesota driver's licenses

Minnesota driver's licenses are Real ID compliant by default — they meet federal standards for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. You do not need to request a special Real ID endorsement or pay extra. Your renewed license will be Real ID compliant as long as you provide proof of your Social Security number and date of birth during renewal, which the state already has on file.

If you are renewing in person and do not have your Social Security card, bring a W-2, 1099, or tax return instead. Online and mail renewal do not require you to re-verify this information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Minnesota license if it has already expired?

Yes. You can renew online, by mail, or in person even if your license is past its expiration date. However, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives or is issued. If you need to drive before renewal is complete, you may request a temporary paper permit in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

How long is a Minnesota driver's license valid?

Minnesota driver's licenses are valid for four years. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. The state mails renewal notices 60 days before expiration, so check your mail or log into mn.gov/dvs to confirm your date.

What if I do not receive my renewal notice in the mail?

Call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126 and request a renewal notice, or read the mail renewal form from mn.gov/dvs. You can also log into your account online to check your expiration date and renew directly through the website if you are may be able to access.

Do I need a new photo every time I renew?

Not always. Minnesota requires a new photo every other renewal cycle — usually every eight years. The state will tell you during online renewal whether a new photo is required. If you renew by mail or in person, the office will let you know.

What if my address changed but I have not moved yet?

Update your address at mn.gov/dvs before you renew online or by mail. If you are renewing in person, bring proof of your new address (a lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement) and the office will update it for you during renewal.