Renew your North Dakota driver's license in person, by mail, or online depending on your license type and expiration date

North Dakota lets you renew your driver's license through three different methods: online, by mail, or in person at a driver's license station. Which method you can use depends on whether your license is a REAL ID, a standard license, or an enhanced license, and how long it has been expired. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access, but not everyone can use it.

You can renew up to one year before your license expires or up to two years after it expires. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license rather than renew, which requires an in-person visit and additional documents.

Key Takeaways

  • North Dakota offers online renewal for standard licenses that are not expired or expired less than one year, but REAL ID and enhanced licenses must be renewed in person or by mail.
  • Renewing by mail takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license, a completed process, and the renewal fee.
  • In-person renewal at a driver's license station takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee.
  • If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew and must instead explore for a new license with full documentation.
  • The renewal fee in North Dakota is $85 for an eight-year license or $40 for a four-year license, depending on your age.

Online renewal for standard licenses

You can renew a standard North Dakota driver's license online if your license is not expired or expired less than one year ago. Go to the North Dakota Department of Transportation website and use their online renewal system. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method for the renewal fee.

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your new license will be mailed to you within two weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive.

REAL ID licenses and enhanced licenses cannot be renewed online. If you hold either of those, you must use the mail or in-person method instead.

Mail renewal for all license types

You can renew by mail if your license expired less than two years ago. Complete the Driver's License Renewal process (Form SFN 14001), which you can read from the North Dakota Department of Transportation website or pick up at any driver's license station. Sign the form and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form.

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the department receives your process. Send your materials early enough that they arrive before your license expires if you need to drive before the new one arrives. Keep a copy of your process and proof of mailing in case there are questions.

Mail renewal works for standard licenses, REAL ID licenses, and enhanced licenses. You do not need to provide proof of residency when renewing by mail.

In-person renewal at a driver's license station

Visit any North Dakota driver's license station to renew in person. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the renewal fee. The visit usually takes about 30 minutes.

In-person renewal works for all license types, including REAL ID and enhanced licenses. If you need a new photo, the station will take one during your visit. You will receive a temporary license to drive home with, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within two weeks.

Find the driver's license station nearest you on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website. Many stations require you to make an appointment in advance, so check before you go.

Renewal fees and license validity periods

The renewal fee depends on your age and the license type you choose. A standard eight-year license costs $85 for drivers 21 and older. A four-year license costs $40. Drivers under 21 pay different rates. REAL ID and enhanced licenses cost more than standard licenses.

When you renew, your new license will be valid for either four or eight years from the date of renewal, depending on which option you choose. You can select the validity period when you renew online or by mail. At a driver's license station, ask which options are available.

What to do if your license expired more than two years ago

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it. Instead, you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit to a driver's license station and additional documents beyond what renewal requires.

For a new license process, bring your current or expired license, proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Social Security number, proof of North Dakota residency, and payment for the license fee. The station will take a new photo and may require you to retake the written test or vision test depending on how long your license has been expired. Contact your local driver's license station for specific requirements before you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my North Dakota driver's license if I live out of state?

Yes. You can renew online or by mail from anywhere. Mail renewal is the most straightforward option if you do not live in North Dakota. Online renewal is also available for standard licenses that are not expired or expired less than one year.

What happens if I drive with an expired license while waiting for my renewal?

Driving with an expired license is illegal in North Dakota. If you renew online or by mail, your current license remains valid until your new one arrives. If you need to drive before your renewal is complete, renew in person at a driver's license station so you can get a temporary license when ready.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

When you renew online or by mail, your current photo stays on your license. If you renew in person at a driver's license station, the station will take a new photo during your visit unless you request otherwise.

Can I renew my license if my name has changed?

If your name has changed since your current license was issued, you must renew in person or by mail and provide documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Online renewal is not available when a name change is involved.

How do I know if my license is a REAL ID or standard license?

Look at your current North Dakota driver's license. If it has a gold star in the upper right corner, it is a REAL ID. If there is no star, it is a standard license. REAL ID licenses cannot be renewed online and must be renewed in person or by mail.