Check your license status through the Minnesota Secretary of State website
You can check whether your Minnesota driver's license is valid, suspended, or revoked by visiting the Minnesota Secretary of State's Driver and Vehicle Services website. The tool is free and takes about two minutes. You will need your driver's license number or your date of birth and last name.
Go to mn.gov/sos and look for the "Check Driver's License Status" option under Driver Services. Enter your information exactly as it appears on your license — middle initials, hyphens, and spelling all matter. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is active, suspended, revoked, or expired.
If you cannot find the tool on the main page, search for "Minnesota driver license status check" directly on the Secretary of State website. The page is straightforward and does not require you to create an account or log in.
Key Takeaways
- The Minnesota Secretary of State website lets you check your license status for free using your license number or your date of birth and last name.
- A suspension means you cannot legally drive but the license can be reinstated; a revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or unpaid child support.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you must contact the agency that imposed it — usually the court, the Driver and Vehicle Services office, or a collection agency — before you can drive again.
What the status results mean
Active means your license is valid and you can legally drive. The status will also show your expiration date.
Expired means your license passed its renewal date. You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if the expiration was recent. You will need to renew it through the Secretary of State.
Suspended means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or too many points from traffic violations. A suspension can be lifted once you resolve the underlying issue — paying the fine, appearing in court, or satisfying the child support obligation.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled. Revocations usually result from serious violations like multiple DUIs, reckless driving convictions, or habitual traffic offender status. You cannot straightforward renew a revoked license; you must go through a formal reinstatement process with the Secretary of State, which may include a written test, vision test, and proof that the reason for revocation no longer applies.
Why your license might be suspended or revoked
Minnesota suspends licenses for reasons that do not involve criminal charges. These include unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay court fines, missing a court date, unpaid child support, failure to maintain car insurance, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations within a set time period.
Revocations are more serious and usually follow criminal convictions. A DUI conviction triggers a mandatory revocation. So do convictions for reckless driving, fleeing police, or driving with a suspended license. Some revocations are temporary — you become may be able to access to explore for reinstatement after a waiting period. Others require you to meet specific conditions, such as installing an ignition interlock device or completing a substance abuse program.
If you do not know why your license was suspended or revoked, the status check tool will not always tell you the reason. You will need to contact the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office at 651-296-6911 or visit a local office in person.
What to do if your license is suspended
First, find out who suspended it. Call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-296-6911 and ask what agency imposed the suspension and why. They will direct you to the right place — usually a court, a collection agency, or the child support enforcement office.
Once you know the reason, contact that agency and ask what you need to do to lift the suspension. If it is an unpaid fine, you may be able to pay it over the phone or online. If it is a missed court date, you will need to contact the court and reschedule. If it is child support, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
After you resolve the underlying issue, the suspension does not lift automatically. You will need to request reinstatement through the Secretary of State, usually by mail or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring proof that you have resolved the issue — a receipt showing payment, a court document, or a letter from the child support office.
What to do if your license is revoked
A revocation is more complex than a suspension. You cannot straightforward pay a fine or appear in court to get your license back. Instead, you must explore for reinstatement through the Minnesota Secretary of State.
The reinstatement process depends on why your license was revoked. For a DUI revocation, you will typically need to wait a set period (often one year for a first offense), complete a substance abuse assessment, and possibly install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. For other criminal convictions, you may need to provide proof that you have completed any required programs or that circumstances have changed.
Contact Driver and Vehicle Services to request a reinstatement process. You will need to submit it by mail along with supporting documents. Processing takes several weeks. If your process is denied, you can request a hearing.
Scam alert: Fake license status websites
Several websites claim to check your Minnesota driver's license status but actually collect your personal information to sell it or use it for identity theft. These sites often appear high in search results and use official-sounding names.
The only legitimate way to check your status is through mn.gov/sos, the official Minnesota Secretary of State website. Do not enter your license number, date of birth, or Social Security number into any other site. If a website asks you to pay a fee to check your status, it is not legitimate — the real tool is free.
If you are unsure whether a website is real, call Driver and Vehicle Services directly at 651-296-6911 and ask them to check your status over the phone instead.
How to renew an expired license
If your license is expired, you cannot drive legally. You will need to renew it through the Secretary of State. Renewal can be done online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you need a new photo.
If your license expired fewer than five years ago and you do not need a new photo, you can renew online at mn.gov/sos. If it has been more than five years, or if you need a new photo, you will need to visit an office in person or renew by mail. Bring your current license, proof of residence, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check my license status online?
The status check is when ready. You will see the result as soon as you enter your information and click search. The website does not require you to wait for an email or call back.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The status check tool requires your own license number or your own date of birth and last name. You cannot look up another person's status without their permission and their information.
What if the website says my license is suspended but I did not know?
Call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-296-6911 right away. They can tell you the reason and what you need to do to lift it. Do not drive until the suspension is resolved — driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense.
Can I get my revoked license back without going through reinstatement?
No. A revocation cannot be lifted by paying a fine or appearing in court. You must go through the formal reinstatement process, which includes submitting an process, waiting any required period, and meeting specific conditions set by the Secretary of State.
Is the status check tool available 24/7?
Yes. The online status check is available around the clock. If you need to speak to someone at Driver and Vehicle Services, their phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time.