What Minnesota requires for a driver's license
Minnesota issues driver's licenses through the Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division. You will need to visit a Deputy Registrar office — these are local branches run by county or city governments, not state offices. You cannot complete a license transaction online or by mail; you must appear in person with required documents.
The state issues three types of licenses: a standard driver's license (allows you to drive a regular vehicle), a commercial driver's license or CDL (required for certain trucks and buses), and an instruction permit (allows supervised driving before you pass the full test). Most people need the standard license.
Minnesota recognizes Real ID-compliant licenses, which meet federal standards for air travel and federal building entry. A standard Minnesota license is not Real ID-compliant unless you specifically request it and provide extra documents. The Real ID version costs the same but requires proof of citizenship or legal residency.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Deputy Registrar office in person with a valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to get or renew a license.
- Minnesota licenses are valid for four years if you are under 65, and eight years if you are 65 or older, with renewal dates printed on the front.
- You can renew by mail or online only if you meet specific conditions: your license is not expired more than one year, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your name or address since your last license.
- A Real ID-compliant license requires proof of citizenship or legal residency in addition to standard documents, and takes longer to process.
- First-time drivers must pass a written knowledge test and a driving test; renewal applicants do not retake tests unless the state requires it.
Getting a license for the first time in Minnesota
If you have never held a Minnesota driver's license, you start with an instruction permit. This allows you to drive with a licensed adult in the car. To get the permit, visit a Deputy Registrar with your Social Security card (or a document showing your number), a valid photo ID, and proof of your current address. You will take a written knowledge test on traffic laws and road signs. The test is offered in multiple languages.
After you pass the knowledge test, you hold the permit for a minimum of 30 days before you can take the driving test. During this time, you must practice with a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and sitting in the front passenger seat. Minnesota does not require a specific number of practice hours, but the state recommends at least 40 hours, with at least 10 in darkness.
When you are ready, return to the Deputy Registrar to schedule your driving test. A state examiner will observe you driving a vehicle you provide (or sometimes a Deputy Registrar vehicle, depending on the office). The test covers basic vehicle control, following traffic laws, and safe decision-making. If you pass, you receive your full driver's license on the spot.
Renewing your Minnesota license by mail or online
You can renew your license without visiting an office if all of these conditions are true: your license has not been expired for more than one year, you have no medical restrictions or suspensions on your record, you have not changed your name since your last license, and you have not changed your address (or you changed it through the Secretary of State's office). If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar.
To renew by mail, fill out Form HSMV 020 (process for Minnesota Driver's License), include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. To renew online, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website and follow the online renewal portal. Online renewal is faster — you receive your new license within one week in most cases.
Both mail and online renewal extend your license for four years (or eight years if you are 65 or older). Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need a Real ID-compliant license, you cannot renew by mail or online; you must visit a Deputy Registrar in person.
Renewing your license in person at a Deputy Registrar
Visit any Deputy Registrar office with your current license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Bring a valid photo ID if your current license has expired. You do not need to retake the knowledge or driving test for renewal unless the state specifically requires it (for example, if you have medical restrictions or a suspension).
The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your renewed license. You can usually walk out with a temporary paper license the same day and receive your plastic card by mail within one to two weeks. If you are renewing a Real ID license, the process is the same, but processing takes longer — up to three weeks.
Renewal fees vary slightly by license type and whether you are requesting Real ID compliance. Standard renewal costs less than $20 in most cases. The exact fee depends on your age and how many years you are renewing for. Check the Minnesota Secretary of State website or call your local Deputy Registrar office for the current fee in your county.
Finding your nearest Deputy Registrar office
Deputy Registrar offices are located in most Minnesota cities and towns. You can search for the office nearest you on the Minnesota Secretary of State website by entering your city or zip code. The site shows office hours, phone numbers, and which services each office offers (some smaller offices may not handle all transaction types).
Hours vary by location. Many offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, but some offer evening or Saturday hours. Call ahead or check online before you visit, because some offices require appointments or have walk-in limits. During busy times (near renewal important date or after holidays), wait times can be long.
Documents you need to bring
For any in-person transaction, bring a valid photo ID (passport, military ID, or another state's driver's license), your Social Security card or a document showing your number, and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works.
If you are changing your name, bring a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree showing the legal change. If you are explore for a Real ID license, bring your original birth certificate or passport, plus one additional document proving citizenship or legal residency (such as a naturalization certificate or permanent resident card).
If you are renewing and your address has changed, you can update it at the Deputy Registrar office. If you are renewing online or by mail and your address has changed, you must update it through the Secretary of State's office before you renew, or renew in person instead.
Real ID compliance and what it means
A Real ID-compliant license meets federal standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. Starting in 2025, you will need a Real ID license or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. A standard Minnesota license does not meet this standard unless you specifically request it.
To get a Real ID license, you must provide proof of citizenship or legal residency in addition to your standard documents. This means your original birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. The process takes longer — usually three to four weeks instead of one to two — because the state verifies your citizenship status.
A Real ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner. It costs the same as a standard license. If you do not plan to fly or enter federal buildings, a standard license is sufficient for driving and most other purposes.
License validity and expiration dates
A Minnesota driver's license is valid for four years if you are under 65 years old, and eight years if you are 65 or older. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can continue to drive until midnight on your expiration date, but you cannot renew after that date without visiting a Deputy Registrar in person (even if you normally may have access to for mail or online renewal).
The state sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew — the notice is a reminder, not a requirement. Check your license now to see when it expires, and plan to renew at least two weeks before that date if you are renewing by mail, or one week if you are renewing online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota license if I moved out of state?
No. If you no longer live in Minnesota, you must obtain a license from your new state. You cannot renew a Minnesota license by mail or online if your address is outside Minnesota, and you cannot renew in person if you are not physically present. Contact your new state's DMV to begin the licensing process there.
What happens if my license expires while I am waiting for a renewal?
If you applied for renewal by mail or online before your license expired, you can continue to drive using your expired license until your new one arrives. If your license has already expired and you have not yet applied, you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives. Visit a Deputy Registrar in person to renew when ready.
Do I need to take the driving test again when I renew?
No, unless the state requires it. The state may require a retest if you have medical restrictions, a suspension, or a revocation on your record. For a standard renewal, you do not retake any tests. If you are unsure whether a retest applies to you, call your local Deputy Registrar office.
How much does a Minnesota driver's license cost?
Fees vary by age, license type, and renewal length. A standard four-year renewal for someone under 65 costs less than $20. A Real ID license costs the same. Exact fees change periodically, so check the Minnesota Secretary of State website or call your Deputy Registrar office for current pricing.
Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my new one?
Yes. When you renew in person at a Deputy Registrar, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 60 days. This allows you to drive while your plastic card is being mailed. If you renew by mail or online, you do not receive a temporary license, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new card arrives.