Where to renew and what you need
You can renew your Minnesota driver's license in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office, by mail, or online through the state's website. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo.
If your license expires within the next 60 days or has already expired, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If you want to renew more than 60 days before expiration, you must go in person. Mail renewal takes about two weeks; online renewal is faster but has stricter requirements.
For any renewal method, you will need your current Minnesota driver's license or ID card. If you are renewing online, you will also need a valid Social Security number and a credit or debit card to pay the fee.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota lets you renew by mail, online, or in person, depending on how close your expiration date is and whether you need a new photo.
- Online renewal is the fastest option but only works if your license expires within 60 days and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal takes about two weeks and works for licenses expiring within 60 days; you send in your current license and a check or money order.
- In-person renewal at a DVS office is required if your license expires more than 60 days away, and it includes a new photo and vision test.
- The renewal fee varies depending on how long your new license is valid for — typically $24.50 for a four-year renewal or $48 for an eight-year renewal.
Online renewal through the Minnesota DVS website
Online renewal is the fastest method and requires no mail or office visit. You go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's DVS website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and complete the transaction with a credit or debit card. The state then mails your new license to the address on file, which usually arrives within five to seven business days.
Online renewal is only available if your current license expires within the next 60 days, you do not need a new photo, and your address has not changed. If any of those conditions do not explore, you must use mail or in-person renewal instead. You also cannot renew online if your license is suspended or revoked.
The fee for online renewal is the same as mail renewal: $24.50 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license. You pay when ready during the online transaction, and there is no separate mailing step.
Mail renewal by sending in your current license
To renew by mail, print the renewal form from the Minnesota DVS website (Form DL-44), fill it out, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order made out to the State of Minnesota. The address to send to is listed on the form itself. Processing takes about two weeks from the time the state receives your envelope.
Mail renewal works only if your license expires within 60 days. You cannot change your address, name, or photo through the mail — if any of those need updating, you must renew in person. You also cannot use mail renewal if your license is suspended, revoked, or if you have unpaid traffic violations or child support obligations.
Include a stamped envelope with your return address if you want the state to send back any documents you include. The state will mail your new license to the address currently on file, so make sure that address is correct before you send in your process.
In-person renewal at a DVS office
If your license expires more than 60 days away, or if you need to change your photo, address, or name, you must renew in person at a DVS office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). You will also take a new photo and pass a vision test as part of the renewal.
Walk-ins are accepted at most DVS offices, but wait times vary widely depending on the location and time of day. You can check the Minnesota DVS website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go. Some offices are busier than others, and afternoons are usually less crowded than mornings.
The fee for in-person renewal is the same as mail or online renewal: $24.50 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license. You pay at the office when you complete your renewal, and you receive a temporary paper license when ready. Your permanent license arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
What happens if your license has already expired
If your Minnesota driver's license has already expired, you can still renew it by mail or online as long as it expired within the last year. The process is the same as renewing before expiration, and you can legally drive with an expired license while your renewal is being processed — as long as you have proof that you sent in your process.
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must go to a DVS office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired. Bring the same documents you would bring for a standard in-person renewal.
Renewal fees and license validity periods
Minnesota offers two renewal periods: four years or eight years. A four-year renewal costs $24.50, and an eight-year renewal costs $48. You choose which length you want when you renew, whether you are renewing online, by mail, or in person.
The fee covers the license itself and the processing. There are no additional charges for vision tests or photos taken at a DVS office. If you pay by check or money order through the mail, make sure the amount matches the renewal period you are requesting.
Your new license will be valid starting on the date you renew, not on the date your old license expires. If you renew early, your new license's expiration date will be four or eight years from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date.
When you need to renew in person instead of by mail or online
You cannot use mail or online renewal if your license expires more than 60 days away, if you need a new photo, if your address has changed, if your name has changed, or if you have a suspension or revocation on your record. You also cannot use mail or online renewal if you have outstanding child support obligations or unpaid traffic violations that the state has flagged in your file.
If you are not sure whether you are may be able to access for mail or online renewal, call a DVS office or check the Minnesota Secretary of State website. It is faster to confirm before you start the process than to mail in an process that gets rejected and sent back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota license if I moved out of state?
If you moved out of state, you can still renew your Minnesota license by mail or online if it expires within 60 days and you do not need a new photo. However, you should update your address with Minnesota DVS before your license expires, even if you are not renewing yet. If you plan to keep your Minnesota license after moving, contact a DVS office about address changes.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail or online because you need your current license to send in or reference. You must go to a DVS office in person and request a replacement. Bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, and proof of your address. The office will issue you a new license with the same number.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Online renewal usually takes five to seven business days. Mail renewal takes about two weeks from when the state receives your envelope. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready, and your permanent license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. Actual times vary depending on mail delivery and processing volume.
Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked status?
No. You cannot renew by any method if your license is suspended or revoked. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with Minnesota DVS. Contact a DVS office to find out what is required to clear the suspension or revocation before you attempt to renew.
Do I have to take a new vision test when I renew?
You only take a vision test if you renew in person at a DVS office. Mail and online renewal do not include a vision test. If you renew by mail or online, you are confirming that your vision still meets Minnesota's standards for driving.