Minnesota driver's licenses expire every four or eight years depending on your age, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office
Your Minnesota driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. When it gets close to that date, you have three ways to renew: through the online system at mn.gov/dvs, by mail using a renewal notice, or by visiting a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. Which route works for you depends on whether you've had any changes to your address, name, or medical information since your last renewal.
The state sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. If you don't receive one, you can still renew without it—you just need to know your license number and have a way to pay the renewal fee. The fee varies based on how long you're renewing for: a four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year one.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota driver's licenses expire every four or eight years depending on your age group, and the expiration date is printed on your card.
- You can renew online at mn.gov/dvs if you have no address or name changes and your license is not expired yet.
- If your license is already expired, you cannot renew online and must renew by mail or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.
- The state mails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you can renew without one if you have your license number and a payment method.
- Renewing by mail takes longer than online renewal, so plan ahead if your license will expire soon.
Online renewal through the Minnesota DVS website
The fastest way to renew is online at mn.gov/dvs. You'll need your current Minnesota driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you can renew up to one year before your license expires.
Online renewal works only if your address and name are still the same as what's on your current license. If you've moved, changed your name, or had any medical changes since your last renewal, you cannot use the online system—you'll need to renew in person or by mail instead. Your new license will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days after you complete the online renewal.
One important limit: you cannot renew online if your license is already expired. If your expiration date has passed, you must renew by mail or in person.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
If you received a renewal notice in the mail from the state, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. The notice includes a form you fill out, sign, and mail back along with your payment. You'll also need to include a copy of a document that proves your current address—a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works.
Mail your completed form, payment, and address proof to the address shown on your renewal notice. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the state receives your envelope, so your new license will arrive later than if you renewed online. If you don't have your renewal notice, you can still renew by mail—contact a Driver and Vehicle Services office to request the renewal form.
Like online renewal, mail renewal requires that your name and address information match what's currently on file. If you've had a legal name change or moved and need to update your address, you'll need to renew in person instead.
In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office
Renewing in person is necessary if your license is already expired, if you've changed your name, if you've moved and need to update your address, or if you have medical conditions that need to be reported. You'll bring your current license, proof of your current address, and payment. If you've had a name change, bring the legal document that shows it—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Find your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services office at mn.gov/dvs and check their hours before you go. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online or by phone. Processing time at the office is usually 15 to 30 minutes, and you'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your permanent card is mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days.
If you're renewing an expired license in person, bring your expired license along with your current ID. The office staff will help you through any updates to your information and answer questions about vision requirements or medical conditions that might affect your driving privileges.
What documents and payment you'll need
For any renewal method, you'll need to pay the renewal fee. The cost depends on how long you're renewing for: a four-year renewal is cheaper than an eight-year renewal. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check (by mail only). The state does not accept cash by mail.
If you're renewing in person or by mail and have moved, bring proof of your current address dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of a Minnesota address.
If you've had a legal name change since your last renewal, bring the document that proves it. This can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers. The state will not process a name change without this document.
How long your renewed license lasts
Minnesota issues driver's licenses that are valid for either four or eight years. The length depends on your age when you renew. Younger drivers and those with certain medical conditions may receive a four-year license, while others receive an eight-year license. The state will tell you which length you're getting when you renew.
Your expiration date will be printed on your new license. Mark it on your calendar or set a phone reminder about 60 days before it expires so you don't accidentally let it lapse. Renewing before your license expires is easier and faster than renewing after it's already expired.
What to do if your license is already expired
If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office or by mail. Bring your expired license along with your current ID to prove who you are. The renewal process is the same as for an unexpired license, but you'll need to show that you still meet the state's requirements to drive.
Driving on an expired license is illegal in Minnesota, even if you've already started the renewal process. If you're pulled over, you could face a fine. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, ask the office staff for a temporary paper license when you renew in person—they'll give you one on the spot that's valid while you wait for your permanent card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew online up to one year before your expiration date, and you can renew by mail or in person anytime before your license expires. Renewing early is a good idea if you know your license is expiring soon, since it takes time for your new card to arrive in the mail.
What if I've moved since my last renewal?
If you've moved, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office or by mail. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days, such as a utility bill or lease. The state will update your address on your new license.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online renewal takes 5 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from when the state receives your envelope, plus mailing time. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready, and your permanent card arrives in 5 to 10 business days.
What if I don't have my renewal notice?
You don't need your renewal notice to renew. If you're renewing online, just use your license number and Social Security number. If you're renewing by mail or in person, contact a Driver and Vehicle Services office to request the renewal form or bring your current license and payment to an office.
Can I renew my license if it's been expired for more than a year?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring your expired license, current ID, and payment. The office staff will process your renewal and may ask you to take a vision test or answer questions about your medical history before issuing your new license.