How to renew your Minnesota driver's license

You can renew your Minnesota driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. Most people renew by mail or online, which takes about two weeks. You are may be able to access to renew if your license has not been expired for more than five years, you have no medical suspensions, and you have no outstanding tickets or fines with the state.

The method you choose depends on whether you need a new photo and whether your address or name has changed. If your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago, you can use mail or online renewal without visiting an office. If you need a new photo, have a name change, or your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the fastest option and takes about two weeks; you pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card.
  • Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed process, and payment to the DVS office; processing takes three to four weeks.
  • In-person renewal at a DVS office is required if you need a new photo, have changed your name, or your license expired more than five years ago.
  • Your Minnesota driver's license is valid for four years, and you can renew it up to one year before it expires.
  • If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must take the written test and road test again, not just renew.

Renewing online through the Secretary of State website

Online renewal is the fastest and most common method. Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, select "Renew a Driver's License," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. You will answer questions about your address, name, and whether anything has changed since your last renewal. The system will tell you when ready whether you are may be able to access to renew online.

If you are may be able to access, you pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. The fee is $24.50 for a four-year renewal. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks. You do not need to provide a new photo for online renewal—the state uses your existing photo from your current license.

Online renewal is not an option if your address has changed to outside Minnesota, you need a name change, your license is suspended or revoked, or you have medical restrictions that need updating. In those cases, you must renew in person or by mail.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but requires no visit to an office. Request a renewal process by calling the DVS at 651-297-2126, or read the form from the Secretary of State website. Fill out the process completely, sign it, and include your current driver's license and a check or money order for $24.50.

Mail your process and documents to the address listed on the form. Processing takes three to four weeks from the date the DVS receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive separately by mail. Mail renewal works only if your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago, your name has not changed, and your address is still in Minnesota.

Keep a record of when you mailed your process. If you do not receive your new license within five weeks, call the DVS to check the status. Do not drive with an expired license while waiting for your renewal to arrive.

Renewing in person at a DVS office

You must renew in person if you need a new photo, your name has changed, your address is now outside Minnesota, your license has been expired for more than five years, or you have medical suspensions. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your legal name if it has changed (such as a marriage certificate or court order).

Visit any DVS office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours. You will have your photo taken, answer questions about your driving record and health, and pay the renewal fee of $24.50. The DVS will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within two weeks, depending on the office.

Wait times at DVS offices vary by location and time of day. Call ahead or check the Secretary of State website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times. Some offices accept online appointment scheduling, which can reduce your wait.

What happens if your license expired more than five years ago

If your Minnesota driver's license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it. Instead, you must reapply as a new driver. This means taking the written knowledge test and the road test again, even if you have been driving for decades. You will also need to provide proof of identity, proof of Minnesota residency, and proof of your Social Security number.

You can take the written test at any DVS office. If you pass, you will receive a learner's permit and can schedule your road test. The road test must be taken within six months of passing the written test. Once you pass the road test, you will receive your new driver's license.

This rule exists because the state considers a license expired for more than five years to be no longer valid, even if you have been driving continuously. If you are unsure whether your license is still within the five-year window, call the DVS at 651-297-2126 to check.

Renewal fees and payment methods

The renewal fee for a four-year Minnesota driver's license is $24.50. This is the standard fee for all drivers renewing a regular license. If you renew online, you pay by credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, you pay by check or money order. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card, depending on the office.

Some DVS offices may charge an additional fee for services like duplicate licenses or name changes. Ask when you visit or call ahead. There are no discounts for renewing early, though you can renew up to one year before your license expires.

Timeline for receiving your new license

The time it takes to receive your new license depends on which renewal method you choose. Online renewal is fastest: your new license arrives by mail in about two weeks. Mail renewal takes three to four weeks from the date the DVS receives your process. In-person renewal is when ready if the office issues your license on the spot, or two weeks if they mail it to you.

If you need your license before the standard timeline, ask the DVS office whether they can expedite your renewal. Some offices offer rush processing for an additional fee, though this is not may provide. Plan ahead and renew before your current license expires to avoid any gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Minnesota driver's license if I have an outstanding ticket or fine?

No. The DVS will not process your renewal if you have unpaid tickets, fines, or child support arrears with the state. You must resolve these issues first. Contact the court or the agency that issued the ticket to find out how to pay or set up a payment plan.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

You must renew in person and bring proof of your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DVS will issue a new license with your updated name. You cannot renew by mail or online if your name has changed.

Do I need to take a new photo for online or mail renewal?

No. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo from your current license. Only in-person renewal includes a new photo. If you want a new photo but are otherwise may be able to access for online renewal, you can choose to renew in person instead.

What if I moved out of Minnesota but still have a Minnesota license?

You must renew in person and bring proof of your new address outside Minnesota. The DVS will issue you a license with your out-of-state address. You cannot renew online or by mail if your address is no longer in Minnesota, because the state needs to verify your new residency in person.

Can I drive with an expired license while my renewal is being processed?

No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Make sure to renew before your expiration date. If your license has already expired, you must renew when ready and should not drive until your new license arrives.