Minnesota driver's license renewal happens online, by mail, or in person depending on your situation
Minnesota lets you renew your driver's license through three different routes, and which one you can use depends on how much time is left before yours expires and whether you need a new photo. If your license expires more than 60 days from now, you can renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website without visiting an office. If it expires within 60 days, you must renew by mail or in person. If you need a new photo — because your current license photo is more than eight years old, or you want a different one — you have to go to a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person.
The online route is fastest and costs $16.50 for a four-year renewal or $24.50 for an eight-year renewal. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs the same. In-person renewal at a DVS office takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the location is, and costs the same as online or mail.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is available only if your license expires more than 60 days away and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks but works for any license that has not yet expired, and you can request it through the Secretary of State website or by calling 651-296-6911.
- In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office is required if your license expires within 60 days or if your photo is more than eight years old.
- You will need your current Minnesota driver's license, proof of Minnesota residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity if you have changed your name since your license was issued.
- Minnesota does not require a vision test for license renewal unless you are over 74 years old.
Online renewal: fastest option if your license is not expiring soon
To renew online, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and select the driver's license renewal option. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information and ask you to confirm that your address and other details are still correct. If everything matches, you can pay the renewal fee by debit card or credit card and your renewal is complete.
Your new license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal is not available if your license has already expired, if it expires within 60 days, or if you need a new photo.
Mail renewal: works when you cannot get to an office
To renew by mail, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website and request a mail renewal form, or call 651-296-6911 and ask them to mail you the form. Fill out the form and mail it back with a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your proof of residency — a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement with your name and current address.
Mail the form and payment to the address shown on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the day the Secretary of State office receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail after that. You can continue driving on your current license while you wait. If your license has already expired, you can still renew by mail, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.
In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office
Visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office in Minnesota with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of identity if your name has changed. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some offices allow you to reserve a time slot online to reduce wait time. Bring the documents in person — you cannot submit them by mail or email for in-person renewal.
The staff will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic license is printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives in seven to ten business days. In-person renewal is required if your license expires within 60 days or if your photo is more than eight years old and you want a new one.
Documents you need for any renewal method
For online renewal, you only need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. For mail or in-person renewal, bring your current Minnesota driver's license and proof of residency. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax statement, or bank statement — it must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days.
If your name has changed since your license was issued, bring proof of the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing in person and your photo is more than eight years old, the office will take a new one automatically. If you are renewing online or by mail and want a new photo even though your current one is less than eight years old, you must renew in person instead.
Vision testing and medical certification requirements
Minnesota does not require a vision test during license renewal unless you are 74 years old or older. If you are 74 or older, you must pass a vision screening at a DVS office or provide a vision certification form signed by an eye care professional. The form must show that your vision meets Minnesota standards: at least 20/40 in each eye with or without correction, and a visual field of at least 140 degrees.
If you wear corrective lenses, your license will have a restriction code requiring you to wear them while driving. If your vision does not meet the standard, the Secretary of State may restrict your license or deny renewal. You can request a hearing if your renewal is denied.
What happens if your license has already expired
You can renew by mail or in person even after your license expires, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. If you need to drive before your new license is ready, you can renew in person and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. If you renew by mail, you must wait for the new license to arrive in the mail before you can drive legally.
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may need to take a written test and a driving test in addition to renewing. Contact a DVS office to find out what is required in your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota license if I have moved out of state?
No. You must be a Minnesota resident to renew a Minnesota license. If you have moved, you need to get a license from your new state instead. You can surrender your Minnesota license by mail or at a DVS office.
What if I lost my current license or it was stolen?
You cannot renew online or by mail if you do not have your current license. Go to a DVS office in person with proof of identity and proof of residency. The office will issue a replacement license, which counts as a renewal if your license has not expired yet.
How much does Minnesota driver's license renewal cost?
A four-year renewal costs $16.50. An eight-year renewal costs $24.50. You choose the length when you renew. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Your new expiration date will be four or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license was set to expire.
Do I need to take a driving test to renew my license?
No, not for a standard renewal. You only take a driving test if your license has been expired for more than five years, or if the Secretary of State has reason to believe you cannot drive safely. If you have had certain traffic violations or medical conditions, the office may require a test.