What Minnesota requires to reinstate your license
Minnesota reinstatement is not automatic. You must contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) to find out why your license was suspended or revoked, then complete the specific steps required for that reason. The process, timeline, and fees depend entirely on what caused the suspension.
The most common reasons for suspension in Minnesota are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, driving without insurance, accumulating too many points, or DUI-related suspensions. Each has different reinstatement requirements. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back — you must address the underlying issue first.
Start by calling DVS at 651-297-3298 or visiting a DVS office in person. Have your driver's license number ready. The staff will tell you the exact reason for suspension and what you must do to reinstate. Do not assume you know the reason — many drivers have multiple suspensions for different causes, and you must resolve all of them.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota suspensions have different causes, and each requires different steps to reinstate — you must contact DVS to learn your specific reason.
- Traffic-fine suspensions require payment in full to the court or collection agency; insurance-related suspensions require proof of current coverage; DUI suspensions require completion of an alcohol assessment and other conditions.
- After you complete the required steps, you must request reinstatement through DVS and pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension type.
- Some suspensions have a mandatory waiting period before reinstatement is even possible, and you cannot drive legally during that time.
Suspension reasons and what each one requires
Traffic fine or failure to appear suspension: If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or did not show up for a court date, you must pay the full amount owed to the court or to a collection agency handling the debt. Contact the court that issued the ticket to confirm the exact amount and where to send payment. Once the court confirms payment, notify DVS that the debt is resolved.
Driving without insurance suspension: Minnesota requires proof of liability insurance to drive. If you were suspended for driving uninsured, you must obtain a current insurance policy and provide proof to DVS. Your insurance company will issue a form called an SR-22 (Certificate of Financial Responsibility) or an SR-50 if you are self-insured. Submit this form to DVS before requesting reinstatement.
Point accumulation suspension: If you accumulated too many points from traffic violations within a set period, your license is automatically suspended. The suspension is mandatory and has a waiting period — typically 30 days for a first suspension. You cannot reinstate before this period ends. After the waiting period, contact DVS to request reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee.
DUI-related suspension: A DUI suspension is the most complex. You must complete an alcohol assessment through an approved provider, follow any treatment recommendations, and sometimes complete a victim impact panel. You may also need an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. The waiting period before reinstatement is longer — typically 90 days for a first offense — and you cannot drive at all during this time, even with a work permit.
The reinstatement fee and how to pay it
Minnesota charges a reinstatement fee when you request your license back. The fee amount depends on the reason for suspension and ranges from $20 to $680. Traffic-fine suspensions typically cost $20 to $50; insurance-related suspensions cost around $25; point-accumulation suspensions cost $20; DUI suspensions cost $680.
You can pay the reinstatement fee by mail, in person at a DVS office, or online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website. If you pay by mail, include a check or money order and a letter stating your name, driver's license number, and the reason for reinstatement. Mail it to the address DVS provides when you call.
Do not pay the fee until DVS confirms that you have completed all other requirements. Paying early will not speed up the process and may result in your payment being returned.
Mandatory waiting periods before you can reinstate
Minnesota law sets mandatory waiting periods for certain suspensions. During this time, you cannot legally drive, even if you have completed all other requirements. The waiting period begins on the date your suspension took effect, not the date you request reinstatement.
Point-accumulation suspensions have a 30-day waiting period for a first offense, 60 days for a second offense within five years, and 90 days for a third or subsequent offense. DUI suspensions have a 90-day waiting period for a first offense, one year for a second offense within ten years, and longer periods for additional offenses. Traffic-fine and insurance-related suspensions do not have a mandatory waiting period — you can reinstate as soon as you resolve the underlying issue.
If you need to drive during a waiting period for work or medical reasons, you may request a work permit from DVS. A work permit allows limited driving to and from work, school, or medical appointments only. You must request this separately and provide proof of need.
Step-by-step reinstatement process
| Step | What to do | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Contact DVS | Call 651-297-3298 or visit a DVS office to learn the reason for suspension and requirements to reinstate. | Same day |
| 2. Complete requirements | Pay fines, obtain insurance, complete assessment, or fulfill other conditions specific to your suspension reason. | Varies; may take weeks |
| 3. Wait for mandatory period | If applicable, wait until the mandatory waiting period ends. You cannot drive during this time. | 30 to 90+ days |
| 4. Request reinstatement | Contact DVS by phone, mail, or in person to request reinstatement. Provide proof that all requirements are met. | Same day or within 5 business days |
| 5. Pay reinstatement fee | Pay the fee by mail, in person, or online. Include your driver's license number and suspension reason. | Same day or within 5 business days |
| 6. Receive reinstated license | DVS will mail your reinstated license or issue it in person if you pay at an office. You can drive once you receive it. | 5 to 10 business days by mail |
Common mistakes that delay reinstatement
Many drivers contact DVS without having the required documents or information ready, which forces them to make a second call. Before you contact DVS, gather your driver's license number, the citation or court case number if applicable, and any correspondence you received about the suspension. This speeds up the process.
Another common mistake is paying the reinstatement fee before confirming that all other requirements are met. If you pay early and then discover you still owe a fine or have not completed an assessment, your payment may be held or returned, and you will have to start over. Always confirm with DVS in writing that you are ready to reinstate before sending payment.
Drivers with DUI suspensions often underestimate the time needed to complete an alcohol assessment. These assessments must be done through an approved provider and can take several weeks to schedule. Start this process as soon as you know it is required — do not wait until the mandatory waiting period is almost over.
Reinstating an out-of-state license suspended in Minnesota
If you hold a driver's license from another state but your driving privileges in Minnesota were suspended, you must reinstate through Minnesota DVS. The suspension applies to your driving in Minnesota only, but some states share suspension information through the National Driver Register. Reinstating in Minnesota may affect your status in your home state.
Contact both Minnesota DVS and your home state's DMV to understand how the suspension affects your license in both places. Some states will automatically reinstate your license once Minnesota does; others require a separate reinstatement request. Do not assume your home state will automatically recognize a Minnesota reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a work permit?
A work permit allows you to drive only to and from work, school, or medical appointments. You cannot drive for any other reason, and you must carry the permit with you. If you are stopped for any other purpose, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license. A work permit is not a reinstatement — it is temporary permission during a mandatory waiting period.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call DVS at 651-297-3298 with your driver's license number. They will tell you the reason and the date the suspension took effect. If you received a notice in the mail, bring it with you when you call — it will have information that speeds up the lookup. If you did not receive a notice, ask DVS to mail you a copy of the suspension order.
How long does reinstatement take after I pay the fee?
If you pay in person at a DVS office, your license may be issued the same day. If you pay by mail or online, DVS will mail your reinstated license within 5 to 10 business days. You cannot legally drive until you receive the physical license or until DVS confirms reinstatement in writing.
Do I have to take a driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require a written or driving test. You only need to complete the specific requirements for your suspension reason and pay the reinstatement fee. However, if your license has expired during the suspension, you may need to renew it at the same time, which could require a vision test.
What if I have multiple suspensions?
You must resolve all suspensions before your license can be fully reinstated. Contact DVS and ask for a complete list of all active suspensions on your record. Some may have different requirements and different waiting periods. You cannot drive legally until every suspension is cleared.