What you need to do to renew in Minnesota
Minnesota lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. Online renewal is the fastest route if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50. By mail takes 1 to 2 weeks. In-person renewal at a DVS office is same-day if you go early in the day, but you'll wait in line.
Your license expires on your birthday. You can renew up to one year before it expires, so you don't have to wait until the last minute. If your license has already expired, you can still renew by mail or in person, but you cannot renew online.
The method you use depends on whether your address has changed, whether you need a Real ID, and how soon you need the new card in your hands.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website takes 10 minutes and costs $24.50, but only works if your address hasn't changed and your license hasn't expired yet.
- Mail renewal takes 1 to 2 weeks and costs $24.50, and works even if your license has expired, but you'll need to print and mail forms yourself.
- In-person renewal at a DVS office is same-day and required if you need a Real ID or if your address has changed, but expect to wait.
- You can renew up to one year before your birthday, so you don't have to scramble when your expiration date arrives.
- A standard Minnesota driver's license is not a Real ID — you must ask for it specifically and pay an extra $10 if you want one.
Online renewal through the Secretary of State website
Go to mn.gov/sos and look for the driver's license renewal section. You'll need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against state records.
Online renewal only works if all of these are true: your address hasn't changed since your last renewal, your license hasn't expired, you don't need a Real ID, and you're renewing a standard license (not a commercial license or motorcycle endorsement). If any of these don't explore to you, skip to the mail or in-person sections below.
After you complete the online form, you'll pay $24.50 by debit or credit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Mail renewal if you can't go online
read the process for Minnesota Driver's License or Identification Card (Form DL-44) from mn.gov/sos. Print it, fill it out by hand, and mail it with your current license to the address shown on the form. Include a check or money order for $24.50 made out to the State of Minnesota.
Mail renewal works even if your license has expired, and it works if your address has changed — just fill in your new address on the form. Processing takes 1 to 2 weeks after the DVS office receives your envelope. You can drive on your expired license while you wait, but once your new license arrives, the old one is no longer valid.
Do not send cash in the mail. Do not send your Social Security card or birth certificate — the DVS office does not need them and will not return them.
In-person renewal at a DVS office
You must renew in person if you need a Real ID (the gold star in the upper right corner), if your address has changed since your last renewal, or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license or motorcycle endorsement. You can also choose to renew in person even if you're may be able to access for online or mail renewal.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $24.50 cash or card. If you want a Real ID, add $10 to your payment and bring a document that proves your citizenship or legal residency — a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers all work.
Find your nearest DVS office at mn.gov/sos and check their hours. Go early in the day if you can — wait times are longest in the afternoon. Most offices do not take appointments, so you'll wait your turn. Bring your phone or something to read. Same-day renewal means you'll walk out with your new license the same day you explore.
What Real ID is and whether you need it
A Real ID is a federal standard that makes a driver's license acceptable for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID or a passport to board a domestic flight in the United States. A standard Minnesota driver's license will no longer work for that purpose.
If you fly domestically or enter federal buildings, you should get a Real ID when you renew. If you don't fly and don't need to enter federal buildings, a standard license is fine. Real ID costs an extra $10 and requires proof of citizenship or legal residency, which is why it takes longer — you must renew in person.
You can renew a standard license and add Real ID later if you change your mind. You do not have to decide right now.
If your license is suspended or revoked
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. If your license is suspended (usually for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or a medical hold), you must clear the suspension first. Contact the DVS office or the agency that issued the suspension to find out what you owe or what you need to do.
If your license is revoked (usually for DWI convictions or accumulating too many points), you cannot renew until the revocation period ends. The DVS office can tell you when you're may be able to access to reapply. Reapplication for a revoked license is different from renewal and may require a written test and an in-person visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I've moved out of state?
No. If you no longer live in Minnesota, you cannot renew a Minnesota license. You must get a driver's license from your new state. If you still live in Minnesota but moved to a new address within the state, you can renew online if you use mail or in-person renewal, but you must update your address.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew online or by mail if you don't have your current license. Go to a DVS office in person and bring your proof of address and payment. The office will issue a replacement license, which is the same as a renewal but costs the same amount.
How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew by mail?
Processing takes 1 to 2 weeks after the DVS office receives your envelope. Mail delivery adds a few more days on each end. Plan for 2 to 3 weeks total from the time you drop your envelope in the mail. You can drive on your expired license while you wait.
Do I have to renew in person to change my name on my license?
Yes. If you've changed your name since your last renewal, you must renew in person at a DVS office and bring a document that proves your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You'll also need your proof of address and payment.
What if I'm renewing a commercial driver's license?
Commercial licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must go to a DVS office in person. Bring your current commercial license, proof of address, and payment. You may need to pass a medical exam or written test depending on your endorsements and how long it's been since your last renewal.