What Minnesota Issues and Who Can Get One

Minnesota issues a standard driver license for regular driving, a commercial driver license (CDL) for operating heavy trucks, and an instruction permit for learners. You can hold a standard license, a CDL, or both at the same time. The state also issues an ID card that looks like a license but is not valid for driving — useful if you need state ID but do not drive.

To get any Minnesota driver license, you must be a resident of the state. Residency means you live in Minnesota and intend to stay, not just pass through. You do not need to own property or have a job there, but you do need a physical address where mail can reach you. If you are homeless, Minnesota allows you to use a shelter address or a trusted contact's address.

Age requirements depend on the license type. You must be at least 16 to get an instruction permit or a Class D (standard) license. You must be at least 18 to get a CDL. If you are under 18, you have additional restrictions on when and where you can drive, and you must complete a driver education course.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota requires you to pass a written knowledge test, an eye exam, and a driving test to get a new license; renewals do not require the driving test.
  • You must bring a Real ID-compliant document (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) plus proof of Minnesota residency and your Social Security number to the exam station.
  • Standard licenses are valid for eight years; you can renew by mail or online if you have no medical conditions and your address has not changed.
  • Minnesota charges different fees for different license types and ages; a standard license for an adult costs one amount, but a CDL costs more.
  • If you move to Minnesota from another state, you have 60 days to exchange your old license for a Minnesota one, or you must retake all tests.

Getting a New Minnesota Driver License

To get a new license, you must visit a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) exam station in person. You cannot complete the entire process online or by mail if you are explore for the first time. The exam station is where you take the written test, pass the eye exam, and take the driving test.

Before you go, gather these documents: a Real ID-compliant document (a U.S. passport, birth certificate, passport card, or state ID from another state), proof of Minnesota residency (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days), and your Social Security number. If you do not have your Social Security card, bring a document that shows the number, such as a tax return or W-2. Bring the originals, not copies.

At the exam station, you will take a written knowledge test covering road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving. The test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. You can take the test in English or in one of several other languages. After you pass the written test, you will have your eyes checked for vision and color blindness. Then you will take a driving test with an examiner in your own vehicle or a test vehicle provided by DVS.

Once you pass all three parts, you will pay the license fee and receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your plastic card arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you fail any part of the test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day before trying again.

Exchanging an Out-of-State License

If you already hold a valid driver license from another state and you move to Minnesota, you have 60 days to exchange it for a Minnesota license. After 60 days, your old license is no longer valid in Minnesota, and you must retake all tests as if you were a new driver.

To exchange your license, bring your current out-of-state license, proof of Minnesota residency, and your Social Security number to a DVS exam station. You do not have to retake the written test or the driving test if your out-of-state license is still valid and you have no medical conditions that would prevent you from driving. You will have your eyes checked, and you will pay the exchange fee, which is lower than the fee for a new license.

If your out-of-state license has expired, or if you have a medical condition that requires a restriction or a special endorsement, you may have to retake the written test or the driving test. Call the DVS office before you go to find out what tests you need.

Renewing Your Minnesota License

A standard Minnesota driver license is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. You can renew it by mail, online, or in person at a DVS office. Renewal by mail or online is faster and cheaper than renewing in person, but you can only use these methods if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than two years, you must have no medical conditions that require a restriction, your address must not have changed, and you must not have any unpaid traffic tickets or child support obligations.

To renew online, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and use the online renewal system. You will need your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The fee is charged to a credit or debit card. Your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

To renew by mail, fill out the renewal form (available on the Secretary of State website or at a DVS office) and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. Include a copy of your current license. Your new license arrives by mail within three to four weeks.

If you cannot renew by mail or online, or if you prefer to renew in person, visit a DVS exam station. Bring your current license, proof of residency if your address has changed, and your Social Security number. You will not have to retake the written test or the driving test. You will have your eyes checked, and you will pay the renewal fee.

Documents You Need and Where to Get Them

Minnesota requires a Real ID-compliant document to prove your identity. A U.S. passport or passport card is the easiest option because it proves both identity and citizenship. If you do not have a passport, you can use a certified birth certificate (ordered from the state where you were born), a state ID from another state, or a tribal ID. Bring the original document, not a photocopy.

To prove Minnesota residency, bring a document dated within the last 30 days that shows your name and Minnesota address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance bill all work. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed letter from them saying you live there, plus the bill. If you are homeless, bring a letter from a shelter or a signed statement from someone who lets you use their address.

You must provide your Social Security number. If you do not have your card, bring a tax return, W-2, or 1099 form that shows the number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a Minnesota driver license.

Fees and Processing Times

Minnesota charges different fees depending on the type of license and your age. A standard Class D license for an adult costs one amount; a license for someone under 18 costs less. A CDL costs more. Renewal fees are lower than new license fees. The exact amounts change each year, so check the Minnesota Secretary of State website for the current fee schedule before you go to the exam station.

If you renew by mail or online, processing takes three to four weeks. If you renew in person at a DVS office, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your plastic card arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you explore for a new license in person, the same timeline applies.

If you fail a test and need to retake it, you must pay the test fee again. You can retake a test the next day, but some exam stations may have a waiting list during busy times.

Restrictions for Drivers Under 18

If you are under 18, your Minnesota license comes with restrictions that do not explore to adult drivers. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. You cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except to call 911. You cannot have more than one passenger under 20 years old in the car unless a parent or guardian is in the front seat.

These restrictions stay in place until you turn 18. At that point, you can explore for an unrestricted license, but you do not have to — your current license will still be valid, just with the restrictions printed on it.

To get a license under 18, you must complete a driver education course approved by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The course includes classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. You must also have held an instruction permit for at least 30 days before you take the driving test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Minnesota license if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. Minnesota requires a Social Security number to issue a driver license. If you do not have one, you can explore for one through the Social Security Administration, but this is a separate process that takes time. You cannot get a driver license without it.

What happens if I move to Minnesota but my out-of-state license is still valid?

You have 60 days to exchange it for a Minnesota license. After 60 days, your old license is no longer valid in Minnesota, and you must retake all tests. Exchange your license as soon as you move to avoid having to retake the driving test.

Can I renew my license online if it has been expired for more than two years?

No. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a DVS exam station. You may have to retake the written test and the driving test, depending on how long it has been expired. Call DVS before you go to find out what tests you need.

Do I have to retake the driving test when I renew my license?

No. When you renew a standard license by mail, online, or in person, you do not have to retake the written test or the driving test. You will have your eyes checked, but that is all. The driving test is only required when you get a new license for the first time or when you exchange a license from another state.

What if I fail the written test or the driving test?

You can retake the test the next day. You must pay the test fee again each time you retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can retake a test, but some exam stations may have a waiting list during busy times, so you might not be able to test the very next day.