Where the Anoka County DMV is Located
Anoka County does not operate its own DMV office. All driver's license, vehicle registration, and title services in Anoka County are handled by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services, which runs a single office in the county.
The Anoka County office is located at 2100 Third Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303. This is the only full-service Driver and Vehicle Services location in the county, so it handles all standard transactions including license renewals, replacements, vehicle registration changes, and title work.
Hours vary by season and staffing. Call 651-296-6911 or check the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website before you go, because wait times can be long during peak hours and some services may have temporary closures.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota's Driver and Vehicle Services office at 2100 Third Avenue in Anoka is the only location in the county for license and registration work.
- You can call 651-296-6911 to confirm hours, check wait times, or ask whether a specific service is available that day.
- Bring your current ID, proof of residence, and any documents related to the transaction you need — the office staff can tell you the exact list when you call.
- Online services for renewals and some registration changes are available through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website and may be faster than visiting in person.
What Documents to Bring
The documents you need depend on what you are doing. For a driver's license renewal, bring your current license and proof of residence (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months). For a vehicle registration change of address, bring your current registration, proof of residence, and a valid ID.
If you are explore for a new title or transferring ownership, the requirements are more complex and vary based on whether the vehicle is new to you, financed, or being transferred between family members. Call the office before you go so staff can tell you exactly what to bring — this saves a second trip.
Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies, unless the office has told you a photocopy is acceptable. Payment methods include cash, check, debit card, and credit card, though some transactions may have limits on which cards are accepted.
Online Services and Alternatives to Visiting in Person
Minnesota offers online renewal for driver's licenses and ID cards if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have no medical restrictions, and your address must not have changed. You can renew online through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website without visiting the office.
Vehicle registration renewals can also be completed online if your vehicle has a valid inspection and you have no outstanding violations or holds. The online system is usually faster than waiting at the office, and you receive your new registration by mail within one to two weeks.
If you need to change your address for both your driver's license and vehicle registration, doing both online (if you are may be able to access) takes about 15 minutes total and costs less than a trip to Anoka.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Call ahead to confirm the office is open and to ask about current wait times. The office is busiest on weekday mornings and mid-month, so visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon usually means a shorter wait. Bring all documents in one folder so you do not have to search through your bag at the counter.
If you are renewing a license or registration, check the expiration date now — if it expired more than five years ago, you may need to retake a written test or inspection, which takes longer. The staff can tell you over the phone whether you will need to test.
Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to find parking and locate the office. The building has limited parking, so if the lot is full, there is street parking on Third Avenue.
Services You Cannot Do at the Anoka County Office
The Anoka County office handles standard driver's license, ID, registration, and title transactions. It does not issue commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) or handle CDL medical certifications — those are done at a separate location or through a third-party medical examiner.
If you need a duplicate title for a vehicle you own, the office can order it, but the process takes two to four weeks and you will receive it by mail. You cannot pick up a duplicate title the same day.
Certain transactions related to vehicle safety recalls, lemon law claims, or disputes over ownership may require you to contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety central office by phone or mail rather than visiting the county office in person.
Contact Information and Hours
Phone: 651-296-6911. This line handles questions about hours, wait times, required documents, and appointment availability. Staff can usually answer your question in a few minutes and tell you whether you need to visit in person or can handle your transaction online.
Address: 2100 Third Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303. Hours change seasonally and may be affected by staffing or holidays, so always call or check the website before you go.
Website: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety website (dps.mn.gov) has a section for Driver and Vehicle Services with links to online renewal, registration change forms, and a list of all office locations in the state.
What Happens If You Cannot Visit in Person
If you cannot visit the Anoka County office, check whether your transaction can be done online or by mail. License renewals, registration renewals, and address changes are often available online. Title work and new license applications usually require an in-person visit, but you can sometimes mail in documents and pick up the result later.
If you live outside Anoka County and need Minnesota services, you can visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office in the state — they all handle the same transactions. This may be useful if you live closer to an office in a neighboring county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to visit the Anoka County office?
Appointments are not required, but the office may offer them during busy periods. Call 651-296-6911 to ask whether appointments are available and whether one would reduce your wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day and day of week.
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than a year ago?
Online renewal is available only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical restrictions or address changes. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must visit the office in person and may need to retake the written test. Call the office to confirm what you will need to bring.
How long does it take to get a new vehicle title?
A new title ordered at the office takes two to four weeks and is mailed to you. You cannot pick it up the same day. If you need the title urgently, ask the staff whether you can request expedited processing, though this may cost extra and is not available for all transactions.
What if I do not have proof of residence?
Proof of residence must be a document dated within the last three months with your name and address on it — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. If you do not have one, ask the office what alternatives they accept, such as a recent bank statement or government mail. Call ahead so you know what to bring.
Can I change my address online for both my license and registration at the same time?
Yes, if both are may be able to access for online renewal. You can update your address through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website for your license and registration separately or together. The process takes about 15 minutes and you will receive updated documents by mail within one to two weeks.