What you need to get a Minnesota driver's license
Minnesota issues driver's licenses through the Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division. To get your first license or renew an expired one, you'll need to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person — you cannot complete the entire process online or by mail.
Before you go, gather these documents: proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or consular report of birth), proof of Minnesota residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days), and your Social Security number. If you're renewing and your name has changed since your last license, bring a document showing the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
You'll also need to pass a vision test at the office and pass a written knowledge test unless you're renewing a valid license. If you're under 18, you'll need a parent or guardian to sign your process in person.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person with proof of identity, proof of Minnesota residency, and your Social Security number.
- First-time applicants take a written knowledge test and vision test at the office; renewals may skip the knowledge test if your license is still valid.
- Minnesota offers both a standard driver's license and an enhanced license that works for land border crossings into Canada and Mexico.
- Standard licenses cost $25 for an eight-year term; enhanced licenses cost $30 and are valid for four years.
- You can renew up to one year before your license expires, and renewal can be done in person or by mail if you meet certain conditions.
Getting your first Minnesota driver's license
When you arrive at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, bring your documents and be ready to complete an process form (Form DL-44). You'll provide your name, address, date of birth, and other personal information. The staff will verify your documents and take a photo for your license.
Next, you'll take the written knowledge test, which covers Minnesota traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. You can study using the Minnesota Driver's Manual, available free on the Department of Public Safety website. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return later.
You'll also take a vision test at the office. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you may be required to see an eye doctor before you can get your license.
Once you pass both tests, you'll pay the fee and receive your license on the spot. A standard eight-year license costs $25. If you want an enhanced license (valid for four years and accepted at U.S. land borders), the cost is $30.
Renewing your Minnesota driver's license
You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If your license is still valid and you meet certain conditions, you can renew by mail or online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website — you won't need to visit an office or retake the knowledge test.
To renew by mail, request a renewal process from a Driver and Vehicle Services office or read it from the Department of Public Safety website. Fill it out, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks.
Online renewal is available if your license is not expired, you have no address changes, and you don't need a new photo. You'll log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, review your information, pay the fee by credit or debit card, and your new license will be mailed to you.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, or if you need a new photo or have changed your name, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring the same documents you would for a first-time process.
Standard license versus enhanced license
Minnesota offers two types of driver's licenses. A standard driver's license is valid for eight years and costs $25. It allows you to drive in all 50 states and is accepted as identification for most purposes within the United States.
An enhanced driver's license costs $30 and is valid for four years. It meets federal Real ID standards and is accepted at U.S. land and sea borders with Canada and Mexico — you can use it instead of a passport for those crossings. If you travel frequently to Canada or Mexico by car, boat, or land, an enhanced license may be worth the extra cost and shorter validity period.
When you renew, you can choose which type you want. If you currently have a standard license and want to switch to enhanced, you must renew in person at an office.
What to do if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your license is lost or stolen, visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office and report it. You'll fill out an process for a replacement, pay a $20 fee, and receive a new license the same day. Bring proof of identity and proof of residency, just as you would for a renewal.
If your license is damaged but still readable, you can exchange it for a new one at an office for $20. If it's severely damaged and unreadable, the office will issue a replacement.
If your license is stolen, consider reporting the theft to local police. While not required to get a replacement license, a police report can protect you if the stolen license is used fraudulently.
Driver and Vehicle Services office locations and hours
Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Department of Public Safety website. Many offices operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Visiting early in the week or early in the morning often means shorter waits. Some offices allow you to check current wait times online before you go.
If you cannot visit an office during regular hours, call ahead to ask about evening or weekend appointments, which some locations offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota license online if it's expired?
No. Online renewal is only available if your license is still valid. If it has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office and retake the knowledge test.
What happens if I fail the written knowledge test?
You can retake the test the same day or return to the office another day. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it. Study the Minnesota Driver's Manual between attempts — it covers all the material on the test.
Do I need to take the knowledge test again when I renew?
No, not if you renew by mail or online and your license is still valid. If you renew in person at an office, you typically won't need to retake it unless your license has been expired for more than one year or suspended.
How long does it take to get a Minnesota driver's license after I explore?
If you explore in person, you receive your license the same day. If you renew by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery. Online renewal takes about the same time.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
Bring a document proving the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. The office will update your name on your new license.