Minnesota driver's licenses expire every four or eight years depending on your age, and you can renew in person, by mail, or online

Minnesota driver's licenses last four years if you're under 65, or eight years if you're 65 or older. You can renew starting 12 months before your license expires. The fastest route is online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website if you meet certain conditions — no address change, no vision correction change, and no criminal history since your last renewal. If you don't meet those conditions or prefer not to renew online, you can renew by mail or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

Your renewal notice arrives by mail about two months before your license expires. It includes your renewal code, which you'll need for any renewal method. If you don't receive a notice, you can still renew — just have your current license number ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Secretary of State website takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.75 for a four-year license or $41.25 for an eight-year license if you're 65 or older.
  • You cannot renew online if you've changed your address, updated your vision correction, or have any criminal convictions since your last renewal.
  • Mail renewal requires mailing your current license, the renewal notice, and payment to the address on the notice; processing takes two to three weeks.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office requires a valid ID and proof of residence; you'll receive your new license when ready or within days depending on the office.
  • Your new license will have the same number as your current one, and you can use your renewal notice as a temporary license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal through the Secretary of State website

Online renewal is available if your address hasn't changed, your vision correction hasn't changed, and you have no criminal convictions since your last renewal. Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State Driver and Vehicle Services website, select "Renew a Driver's License," and enter your license number and renewal code from your notice. You'll answer a few questions about your current information and pay the renewal fee with a debit or credit card.

The entire process takes about 10 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days. While you wait, you can print a temporary license from the website or use your renewal notice as proof that you've renewed — most employers and banks will accept either one.

Mail renewal when you can't renew online

If you've changed your address, updated your vision correction, or have a criminal conviction since your last renewal, you must renew by mail or in person. Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, your renewal notice, and a check or money order to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the time the office receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file. During this time, your renewal notice serves as a temporary license. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and don't have the notice, you can print a temporary license from the Secretary of State website.

In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office

You can renew in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services office in Minnesota. Bring your current driver's license and proof of residence — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the office locator on the Secretary of State website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times.

In-person renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You'll pay the renewal fee in cash, by check, or by card, and you'll receive your new license when ready or within a few days depending on whether the office prints it on-site. If the office mails your license, you can print a temporary license before you leave.

What happens if your license has already expired

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring your expired license, proof of residence, and payment. You may also need to pass a vision test depending on how long your license has been expired and your age.

If your license expired between one month and one year ago, you can still renew by mail or online using the same process as a standard renewal. Your new license will have the same expiration date as if you had renewed before it expired.

Renewal fees and what they cover

A four-year license renewal costs $24.75 online or by mail, or $27.50 in person (the difference covers the office's processing fee). If you're 65 or older, an eight-year license renewal costs $41.25 online or by mail, or $44 in person. These fees are for a standard license. If you need a REAL ID-compliant license or have other special designations, the fee may be higher — the Secretary of State website shows the exact cost for your situation.

Payment methods depend on how you renew. Online renewal accepts debit or credit cards only. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, or card. Do not send cash by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before I receive the renewal notice in the mail?

Yes. You can renew starting 12 months before your license expires. If you haven't received your notice yet, you can still renew online or in person — just have your current license number ready. You won't need the renewal code if you renew in person.

What if my address changed since my last renewal?

You must renew in person or by mail, not online. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Update your address at the same time you renew your license.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

No. Renewal by mail and online both use your existing photo. If you renew in person, the office will take a new photo unless you're renewing an eight-year license and your previous photo is less than four years old.

How long does a temporary license last?

A temporary license printed from the Secretary of State website is valid for 60 days. Your renewal notice is valid as a temporary license until your new license arrives. Both are accepted by employers, banks, and law enforcement as proof of a valid license.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online or in person without it. For online renewal, you'll need your license number and can request a new renewal code on the Secretary of State website. For in-person renewal, bring your current license and proof of residence.