How to Track Your Minnesota Driver's License in the Mail

Check the status of your Minnesota driver's license online or by phone

If you applied for a Minnesota driver's license and are waiting for it to arrive, you can check its status through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or by calling their driver's license office. The state does not send automatic notifications when your license ships, so you have to look it up yourself.

Go to dps.mn.gov and find the "Check License Status" tool. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your phone number. The system will tell you whether your license has been printed, mailed, or is still being processed. If you do not have a license number yet, call the Minnesota DPS at 651-296-6911 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time).

Key Takeaways

Minnesota's online status tool at dps.mn.gov tells you whether your license has been printed or mailed, and you can check it anytime without calling.
Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days after your in-person visit, and the license is mailed to the address you provided at the office.
If your license does not arrive within two weeks of your process date, contact DPS by phone or visit a driver's license office in person.
Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards follow the same timeline and can be tracked the same way.
If you moved after explore, your license will go to the old address unless you updated it before the card was mailed.

How long Minnesota takes to mail your license

After you complete your in-person visit at a Minnesota driver's license office, the state prints your card and mails it to you. This usually takes 7 to 10 business days from the day you applied. The license is sent to the mailing address you gave at the office, not necessarily your residential address.

If you requested a Real ID compliant license, processing may take slightly longer because the state verifies your documents more thoroughly. Standard non-Real ID licenses move faster. Once the license is in the mail, it typically arrives within 3 to 5 additional business days, depending on where you live in Minnesota.

What to do if your license has not arrived

If two weeks have passed since your process and the online status tool still shows "processing" or "printed," contact the Minnesota DPS driver's license office directly. Call 651-296-6911 and have your process date and Social Security number ready. The staff can tell you whether the card was actually mailed and can investigate if it was lost in transit.

If the status tool shows your license was mailed but you have not received it after three weeks, file a report with the U.S. Postal Service through their website or visit your local post office. You can also visit a Minnesota driver's license office in person with your ID to request a replacement card. There is usually a small fee for a replacement, but the new card will be processed on the same 7- to 10-day timeline.

Check the address on file before your license ships

Minnesota mails your license to the address you provided during your in-person visit. If you moved or gave the office the wrong address, your license will go to that location, not your current home. You cannot change the mailing address after you leave the office.

If you realize you gave the wrong address before your license ships, call the DPS when ready at 651-296-6911. If the license has already been mailed, you will need to either retrieve it from the old address or request a replacement card sent to the correct address. Requesting a replacement involves another fee and another 7- to 10-day wait.

Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards

If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged after it arrived, you can request a replacement through the same process. Visit a Minnesota driver's license office in person with your ID, or explore online through the DPS website if you are replacing a lost or damaged card (not a stolen one—stolen cards require an in-person report). The replacement card follows the same 7- to 10-day mailing timeline.

You can track a replacement license using the same online status tool. The system does not distinguish between a new license and a replacement, so the process and wait time are identical.

What information you need to check your license status

To use the Minnesota DPS online status tool, have one of these ready: your driver's license number, your Social Security number, or your Minnesota ID number. You will also need your date of birth and the last four digits of the phone number you gave when you applied.

If you do not have any of this information or the online tool is not working, calling 651-296-6911 is faster than visiting an office in person. The phone line can usually confirm your status in a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pick up my license at the office instead of waiting for it to be mailed?

No. Minnesota mails all driver's licenses to the address on file. You cannot pick up your card at the office or request it be held there. If you need a license urgently, you can request a temporary paper license at the office, which is valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent card.

What if the status tool says my license was mailed but I never got it?

Contact the Minnesota DPS at 651-296-6911 to confirm the mailing address and ask whether the card was actually sent. If it was mailed, file a report with the U.S. Postal Service. If the card is confirmed lost, you can request a replacement at a driver's license office, which will be mailed on the same 7- to 10-day timeline.

Do I need to do anything while I wait for my license to arrive?

No. Once you have completed your in-person visit, the state handles everything. You do not need to contact the office unless your license does not arrive within two weeks or the status tool shows an error.

Can I change my mailing address after I explore?

Not through the online system. If you moved after your visit but before your license was mailed, call 651-296-6911 when ready. If the card has already shipped, you will need to request a replacement sent to your new address.

How do I know if my license is Real ID compliant?

Your license will show a gold or black star in the upper right corner if it is Real ID compliant. If you applied for a standard license without Real ID, it will not have this star. You can check which type you applied for by reviewing the paperwork you received at the office.

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.