How to check your Minnesota driver's license status online
You can check the status of your Minnesota driver's license through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Go to dps.mn.gov, find the Driver and Vehicle Services section, and look for the license status tool. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to look up your record.
The online tool shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. It also displays any restrictions on your license, such as corrective lenses or commercial driving limitations. The status updates within one business day of any action taken by the state, so if you recently renewed or had a suspension lifted, check back the next day if you do not see the change when ready.
If you cannot access the online tool or need to speak with someone, you can call the Driver and Vehicle Services line at 651-297-3298. Wait times are typically shorter in the early morning or late afternoon on weekdays.
Key Takeaways
- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety website lets you check your license status using your license number and date of birth.
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive, but the suspension may be lifted once you meet certain conditions like paying fines or completing a course.
- A revoked license is permanent until you go through a formal reinstatement process, which varies depending on why the license was revoked.
- Status changes appear online within one business day, so if you recently renewed or resolved an issue, check back the next day.
What different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. Your license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date and you cannot legally drive until you renew it. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, depending on your situation and how long it has been expired.
Suspended means the state has temporarily taken away your driving privilege. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical conditions reported to the state, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. A suspension is not permanent — once you resolve the underlying issue (pay the fine, complete a required course, or meet other conditions), you can request reinstatement. The state will tell you what you need to do to lift the suspension.
Revoked means the state has permanently canceled your license. This usually happens after multiple suspensions, a serious violation like a DUI conviction, or criminal activity. Reinstatement after a revocation requires a formal process that may include a written test, a driving test, and a waiting period. The requirements depend on why your license was revoked.
Why your license might be suspended or revoked
Minnesota suspends or revokes licenses for several reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket, accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Medical suspensions happen when a doctor reports a condition that affects your ability to drive safely, or when you fail a required medical examination.
Administrative suspensions occur when you do not pay child support, fail to maintain car insurance, or do not respond to a notice from the state. If you owe money to the state for any reason — unpaid taxes, student loans in default, or court-ordered restitution — your license can be suspended under the Financial Responsibility Law.
Criminal suspensions follow convictions for serious traffic offenses like DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run. These typically result in revocation rather than suspension and carry mandatory waiting periods before you can even request reinstatement.
How to reinstate a suspended license
The steps to reinstate a suspended license depend on why it was suspended. First, check your status online or call Driver and Vehicle Services to see what the state lists as the reason. The status tool or the person you speak with will tell you what you need to do.
If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, you must pay them in full. If it is due to unpaid child support or other financial obligations, you must contact the agency collecting the debt and arrange payment or a payment plan. If it is a medical suspension, you may need to provide a doctor's statement or pass a medical examination. If it is due to too many points, you may need to complete a defensive driving course.
Once you have resolved the issue, you can request reinstatement through the Driver and Vehicle Services website, by mail, or in person at an office. There is usually a reinstatement fee of around $20 to $30, though this varies. Processing takes about one week, and your status will update online once it is complete.
How to reinstate a revoked license
Reinstatement after revocation is more involved than lifting a suspension. You cannot straightforward pay a fee or complete a course — you must go through a formal reinstatement process that includes a written knowledge test and a driving test. You must also wait a set period before you can even request reinstatement. For a DUI revocation, the waiting period is typically one year for a first offense, though it can be longer if there are aggravating factors.
To start the reinstatement process, contact Driver and Vehicle Services to request an process. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee (usually $50 to $100), pass the written test, and schedule a driving test at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. You must also provide proof of insurance before you can take the driving test.
If your revocation was due to a medical condition, you will need a doctor's statement saying the condition has been resolved or managed. If it was due to a criminal conviction, you may need to show proof that you have completed any required programs, such as a substance abuse treatment course.
Scam alert: Fake license status websites
Scammers create websites that look like the official Minnesota Department of Public Safety site but are designed to steal your personal information. They use names like "Minnesota DMV Status Check" or "MN License Verification" and appear high in search results.
The real website is dps.mn.gov — check the web address carefully. The fake sites often ask for more information than the real tool requires, such as your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account details. The official state tool only asks for your license number and date of birth. Never enter your Social Security number, financial information, or passwords on any website claiming to check your license status.
If you are unsure whether a website is real, close it and type dps.mn.gov directly into your browser instead of clicking a link. You can also call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-3298 to verify a website or to check your status by phone.
What to do if your status is wrong
If your online status does not match what you believe is correct, first wait one business day — changes take time to process. If the status is still wrong after that, call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-3298 with your license number and date of birth ready. A representative can look up your full record and explain what the state has on file.
If there is an error, such as a suspension that should have been lifted or a fine that was paid but not recorded, the representative can start a correction process. This may involve submitting documents by mail or in person to prove the error. Keep copies of any proof you send, such as payment receipts or court documents.
If you believe your license was suspended or revoked in error, you have the right to request a hearing. Driver and Vehicle Services will provide information about how to request one when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension or revocation. If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded. If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a limited license that allows driving only for those specific purposes — ask Driver and Vehicle Services about this option.
How long does a suspension last?
The length of a suspension depends on the reason. Some suspensions last 30 days, others 90 days or longer. A suspension for unpaid fines lasts until you pay. A suspension for too many points typically lasts 30 to 90 days. Once you resolve the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement, which usually takes about one week to process.
What if I moved out of Minnesota — is my license still suspended?
Yes. A Minnesota license suspension or revocation remains in effect even if you move to another state. If you try to get a license in a new state, most states will see the Minnesota suspension in the national driver record system and may refuse to issue you a license. You must resolve the Minnesota suspension or revocation before you can get a valid license elsewhere.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The online status tool requires the license number and date of birth of the person whose license you are checking. You cannot look up someone else's status without their permission and their information. If you need to know someone's status for a legal reason, such as a custody case or employment verification, you may need to go through a formal records request or court process.
What happens if I ignore a suspension notice?
Ignoring a suspension notice does not make it go away. Your license remains suspended, and driving during a suspension is a crime. If you are stopped, you face arrest, fines, and criminal charges. The underlying issue — unpaid fines, child support, or whatever caused the suspension — continues to accrue interest or penalties. Contact Driver and Vehicle Services or the agency that issued the notice to understand what you owe and what your options are.