How to Renew Your Minnesota Driver's License

Where to renew and what documents you need

You can renew your Minnesota driver's license at any Deputy Registrar office, online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, or by mail. The fastest route is online if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes — you can complete it in minutes and your new card arrives in about two weeks. If your license is expired, you have had a name change, or you need to update your address, you must go in person to a Deputy Registrar office or renew by mail.

Bring your current driver's license or ID card, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have changed your name since your last renewal, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You do not need to pass a written test or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than one year.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes about two weeks and works only if your license is current, your address has not changed, and you have not had a name change.
In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office takes about 30 minutes and handles expired licenses, address changes, and name changes on the spot.
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and requires you to send your current license, proof documents, and a completed Form DL-44 to the Secretary of State.
Your new license costs $24.50 for an eight-year renewal, and you can renew up to one year before your expiration date.

Online renewal through the Secretary of State website

Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State Driver and Vehicle Services website and select "Renew Your Driver's License." 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 identity and ask whether you want to keep your current address and name. If both are correct, you can pay the $24.50 renewal fee by debit or credit card and finish in one session.

Your new license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within two weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need to change your address or name, or if you have any suspensions or restrictions on your record.

In-person renewal at a Deputy Registrar office

Find your nearest Deputy Registrar office using the Secretary of State's office locator tool on their website. Bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. If you are renewing an expired license, bring your expired license as well. Walk-in service is available at most offices, but some locations take appointments — call ahead or check the office's website to see whether you need to book a time.

The renewal takes about 30 minutes. You will have your photo taken and pay the $24.50 fee in cash, check, or card. Your new license is printed on site and you leave with it the same day. This is the only option if your license has been expired for more than one year, because you must pass a vision test in person. It is also the fastest way if you need to change your address or name.

Mail renewal and what to send

read Form DL-44 from the Secretary of State website and fill it out completely. Include your current driver's license, a certified copy of any document showing a name change (if applicable), and proof of your current address. Mail everything to the address listed on the form — currently the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office in St. Paul. Include a check or money order for $24.50 made payable to the State of Minnesota.

Processing takes four to six weeks from the date the office receives your packet. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided. Keep your current license until the new one arrives, because you can drive on an expired license while your renewal is being processed. If you do not receive your new license within six weeks, contact the Secretary of State office to check the status of your renewal.

Renewal fees and what affects the cost

A standard eight-year driver's license renewal costs $24.50. If you are 65 or older, the renewal costs $13.50 for an eight-year license. If you want to add the REAL ID designation to your license (required for federal building access and domestic air travel after May 7, 2025), the cost is $32.50 for a standard renewal or $21.50 if you are 65 or older. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date without paying an extra fee.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must go to a Deputy Registrar office in person and pay the standard renewal fee plus any applicable fines for driving on an expired license. Minnesota does not charge a separate fine for an expired license, but you may face a citation from law enforcement if you are stopped while driving.

REAL ID and what it means for your renewal

REAL ID is a federal security standard that applies to driver's licenses used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Minnesota began issuing REAL ID licenses in 2017, and as of May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID license or a passport to board a domestic flight. When you renew, you can choose to add REAL ID to your license or keep a standard license.

If you want REAL ID, bring the same documents as a standard renewal plus proof of citizenship (your birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) and proof of your Social Security number. The process is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person, but mail and online renewals may take slightly longer because the office must verify your citizenship documents. You do not have to add REAL ID when you renew — you can keep a standard license and use your passport for travel instead.

What to do if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you must get a replacement. Go to a Deputy Registrar office with proof of your identity and address, and you will receive a new license with the same number on the spot. The replacement fee is $24.50, the same as a renewal. If your license is damaged but still readable, you can renew it normally through any of the three methods.

If you need to replace a lost or stolen license before your renewal date, the replacement does not extend your expiration date — your new license will still expire on the same date as your original license. You can renew early if you want to extend the expiration date, but you will pay the full renewal fee in addition to the replacement fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

No, you cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than one year. You must go to a Deputy Registrar office in person, bring your expired license, and pass a vision test. The renewal fee is the same, but the office will verify that you are still able to drive safely before issuing your new license.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

Online and in-person renewals take about two weeks for mail delivery. Mail renewals take four to six weeks from the date the office receives your packet. In-person renewals at a Deputy Registrar office are the only option where you leave with your new license the same day.

Do I need to take a written test or vision test to renew?

No, unless your license has been expired for more than one year. If your license is current or expired for less than one year, you renew without any testing. If it has been expired longer than one year, you must pass a vision test in person at a Deputy Registrar office.

What if I changed my address but do not want to renew yet?

You can update your address without renewing your license by going to a Deputy Registrar office or by mail. Bring your current license and proof of your new address. The address change is free and takes about 15 minutes in person or two to three weeks by mail. Your license expiration date does not change.

Is REAL ID required to renew my license?

No, REAL ID is optional when you renew. You can keep a standard license and use your passport for domestic air travel and federal building access instead. If you want REAL ID, you must bring proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport) in addition to your standard renewal documents, and the fee is $8 more.

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.