How to Renew Your Minnesota Driver's License

Minnesota driver's licenses renew every four or eight years depending on your age

Minnesota sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. You can renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's website. The method you choose depends on whether your address has changed, whether you need a new photo, and how quickly you need the renewed license.

Your license expiration date appears on the front of your current license. If you were under 21 when you got it, you renew every four years. If you were 21 or older, you renew every eight years. Renewing before the expiration date is faster than renewing after it expires, though you can renew up to one year early.

Key Takeaways

Minnesota sends renewal notices 60 days before expiration, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your situation.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50, but only works if your address hasn't changed and you don't need a new photo.
Mail renewal requires the renewal notice, a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks; in-person renewal is when ready but requires a trip to a DVS office.
You must renew in person if your address has changed, if you want to update your photo, or if you have a REAL ID-compliant license and your name has changed.
DVS offices are located in most Minnesota counties, and you can find your nearest office and check wait times on the state website.

Online renewal: fastest option if your details haven't changed

Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the quickest method if your current address matches what's on file and you don't want a new photo. The process takes about 10 minutes. You'll need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $24.50.

Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal is not available if you've moved, if your name has changed, if you want a new photo, or if you hold a REAL ID-compliant license and your name has changed since you got it.

Mail renewal: slower but requires no office visit

Mail renewal works if your address hasn't changed and you don't need a new photo. You'll use the renewal notice Minnesota mailed you. Fill out the form on the back, include a check or money order for $24.50 made payable to "Minnesota DVS," and mail it to the address shown on the notice. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date DVS receives it, plus mail time in both directions.

You can drive on your current license while your renewal is being processed. Mail renewal is not available if your address has changed, if you want a new photo, or if you have a REAL ID license and your name has changed. If any of those explore, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal: required for address changes, photos, or name updates

You must renew in person at a DVS office if your address has changed since your last license, if you want a new photo, or if you have a REAL ID-compliant license and your name has changed. In-person renewal is also the fastest method if you need your license when ready — you receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Bring your current license, proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $24.50 (cash, check, debit card, or credit card). If your name has changed, bring a document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Processing at the office takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on wait times.

Finding a DVS office and checking wait times

Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most counties. You can find your nearest office, check current wait times, and schedule an appointment on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require appointments. Scheduling an appointment typically reduces your wait time to 15 minutes or less.

Office hours vary by location. Most are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours. If you live in a rural area far from an office, mail renewal or online renewal (if you're may be able to access) may be more practical than driving a long distance.

What happens if your license has already expired

You can still renew an expired license, but the process is the same as renewing before expiration. You cannot drive legally on an expired license, so if you need to drive before your renewal arrives, you must renew in person to get a temporary paper license when ready. Mail and online renewal are not available for expired licenses — you must go to a DVS office.

Bring the same documents as you would for a regular in-person renewal. The fee remains $24.50. Your temporary paper license is valid for 60 days, which gives you time for your plastic card to arrive by mail.

REAL ID compliance and renewal

Minnesota's REAL ID-compliant licenses have a gold star in the upper right corner. If you have a REAL ID license and your name has changed, you must renew in person and bring proof of the name change. If your name hasn't changed and your address hasn't changed, you can renew online or by mail even if you have a REAL ID license.

If you have a standard (non-REAL ID) license and want to upgrade to REAL ID during renewal, you must renew in person. You'll need to bring proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), proof of your date of birth (birth certificate or passport), and proof of your address. The fee is still $24.50.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I'm out of state?

Yes. You can renew by mail or online if you meet the may be able to access requirements (no address change, no photo update, no name change on a REAL ID license). If you need to renew in person, you must visit a Minnesota DVS office in person — you cannot renew at a DMV in another state.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online or in person without the notice. For online renewal, use your license number and Social Security number. For in-person renewal, bring your current license and the required documents. For mail renewal, contact a DVS office to request a new notice or renewal form.

How much does renewal cost?

Standard renewal costs $24.50 regardless of method. If you're upgrading to REAL ID during renewal, the cost is still $24.50. Replacement licenses (if yours is lost or damaged) cost $24.50 as well.

Can I renew early?

Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Early renewal is useful if you're traveling or if you want to update your photo or address before your expiration date.

What if my name changed after I got my license?

If you have a standard license, you can renew by mail or online without bringing proof of the name change. If you have a REAL ID license, you must renew in person and bring a document proving the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

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.