How to renew your Minnesota driver license online, by mail, or in person

Minnesota lets you renew your driver license online, by mail, or at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Online renewal is fastest — you can complete it in minutes if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations. If you cannot renew online, the mail option takes about two weeks, and in-person renewal at an office is when ready but requires an appointment.

Your renewal method depends on your license status, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most people renew before their license expires, which opens all three options. If your license is already expired, you have a grace period to renew by mail or online, but the rules tighten after that.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website takes minutes and costs $16.50 for a four-year license or $24.75 for an eight-year license, but only works if your license is not expired and you have no disqualifying violations.
  • Mail renewal takes about two weeks and works for expired licenses up to five years past expiration, but you cannot change your address or photo by mail.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office is when ready and required if your license is more than five years expired, but you must book an appointment in advance.
  • You must renew before your license expires to avoid a late fee, and driving on an expired license is illegal in Minnesota.
  • Real ID-compliant licenses cost $5 more than standard licenses and require proof of citizenship and residency at renewal.

Online renewal: fastest option if your license is current

The Minnesota Secretary of State website lets you renew online if your license is not expired, you have no disqualifying violations or medical conditions, and you are renewing a standard or Real ID license (not a commercial license). The process takes about five minutes. You log in with your driver license number and date of birth, review your information, choose your license type, and pay the fee by debit or credit card.

Online renewal costs $16.50 for a four-year license or $24.75 for an eight-year license. If you want a Real ID-compliant license instead of a standard one, add $5 to either price. Your new license arrives by mail in about one to two weeks. You cannot change your address, name, or photo online — if you need any of those changes, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

You cannot renew online if your license is expired, if you have had a DUI or certain other violations in the past five years, if you have medical conditions that affect your ability to drive, or if you are renewing a commercial driver license. If any of these explore, use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Mail renewal: works for expired licenses up to five years old

Mail renewal is an option if your license expired no more than five years ago. You do not need to visit an office, and the process is straightforward: read and print the renewal form from the Minnesota Secretary of State website, fill it out, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks from the time the office receives your process.

Mail renewal costs the same as online renewal: $16.50 for a four-year license or $24.75 for an eight-year license, plus $5 if you want Real ID. You cannot change your address, name, or photo by mail. If your license expired more than five years ago, mail renewal is not an option — you must renew in person.

Mail your process to the address listed on the renewal form. Keep a copy for your records. Your new license arrives by mail once the office processes your process. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal is faster.

In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office

In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your address or photo, or if you hold a commercial driver license. You can also choose in-person renewal for any other reason. Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. If you are renewing a Real ID license, you also need proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and a second form of ID.

In-person renewal is when ready — you walk out with your new license the same day. Fees are the same as online and mail renewal: $16.50 for a four-year license or $24.75 for an eight-year license, plus $5 for Real ID. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most offices.

You must book an appointment before you visit. Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, select your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services office, and choose an available time slot. Walk-ins are not accepted. If no appointments are available at your preferred location, check nearby offices or try again in a few days when new slots open.

Real ID renewal: what changes and what you need

A Real ID-compliant license has a gold or star symbol in the upper right corner and meets federal standards for air travel and federal building access. If your current license is not Real ID-compliant and you want to upgrade at renewal, you need proof of citizenship (U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or tribal ID) and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the past 60 days). You also need a second form of ID such as a Social Security card or insurance card.

Real ID renewal costs $5 more than a standard license renewal. You can only upgrade to Real ID in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office — you cannot do it online or by mail. If you do not upgrade at renewal, your current license remains valid for driving within Minnesota and for state ID purposes, but you will need a passport or other federal ID to fly domestically or enter a federal building.

Late fees and driving on an expired license

Minnesota charges a $20 late fee if you renew after your license expires. Renewing before expiration avoids this fee. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Minnesota, even if you have applied for renewal. If you are stopped by police, you can face a citation and fine.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must renew in person. The state treats very old expirations as a new license rather than a renewal, which may require additional documentation or a new photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

Yes, but your renewal method depends on how long ago it expired. If it expired within five years, you can renew by mail or in person. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. You will pay a $20 late fee in either case.

What if I need to change my address at renewal?

You can only change your address in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Online and mail renewal do not allow address changes. Bring proof of your new residency, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the past 60 days.

How long does it take to get my license after I renew online or by mail?

Online and mail renewals take about one to two weeks from the time the office processes your process. Mail processing itself takes about two weeks from when the office receives your form. In-person renewal is when ready — you receive your license the same day.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

Yes. Minnesota requires appointments at all Driver and Vehicle Services offices. You cannot walk in. Book your appointment on the Minnesota Secretary of State website by selecting your office and choosing an available time slot.

What is the difference between a standard license and a Real ID?

A Real ID has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal standards for air travel and federal building access. A standard license is valid for driving and state ID but not for domestic flights or federal buildings. Real ID costs $5 more at renewal and requires proof of citizenship and residency.