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Licenses and certificates

Driver's license

Anyone who drives a motor vehicle on public streets or highways in Minnesota must carry a valid and unexpired driver’s license.

Types of licenses and application process instructions are below.

REAL ID

For air travel or access to federal buildings, you need 1 of the following:

  • A Real ID compliant license or ID
  • An enhanced license or ID
  • A passport

Types of licenses

Standard license

Use it for:

  • Identification
  • Driving

Can’t be used for:

  • Federal purposes including domestic air travel

Real ID compliant license

Can be issued to both U.S and non-U.S. citizens.

Use it for:

  • Domestic air travel
  • Access to federal and military facilities
  • Identification
  • Driving

Can’t be used for:

  • U.S. border crossing

Enhanced license

Can only be issued to U.S. citizens.

Use it for:

  • Domestic air travel
  • Access to federal and military facilities
  • U.S. border crossing by land or sea
  • Identification
  • Driving

New or returning to Minnesota

You have 60 days after moving to Minnesota to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.

Commercial drivers have 30 days.

Testing

Find a testing location

Minnesota driver's manual (PDF, 5MB)

Road test

Required if:

  • Your license has been expired for more than 1 year
  • You've moved to Minnesota from somewhere other than Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana or Canada

Schedule an appointment 

Written knowledge test

Required if: 

  • You're under 21 years old
  • You've moved to Minnesota from somewhere other than places listed below

Not required if:

  • You're 21 years or older and have a valid, unexpired driver’s license from another U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana or Canada.

Schedule an appointment  

Application process

Start your application online.

Schedule an appointment.

You can also come in to one of our locations. Wait times depend on staffing.

When you come in

Standard license applicants need:
REAL ID license applicants need:
  • One proof of identity and two proof of residence REAL ID documents (PDF, 1MB)
  • Valid out-of-state driver's license or certified driving record
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
Enhanced license applicants need:
  • To be at least 16 years of age, a Minnesota resident and US citizen
  • Multiple enhanced identification documents (PDF, 1MB)
  • Valid out-of-state driver's license or certified driving record
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one

Fee

  • Standard and REAL ID license - $46
  • Enhanced license - $61

Payment options

First time drivers

Follow these steps if you have a Minnesota permit or don't have valid license from another state.

Minnesota driver's manual (PDF, 5MB)

Step 1

Take and pass a written knowledge test at a metro area driver's exam station.

Step 2

Take and pass the road test. Schedule or reschedule an exam or road test.

Step 3

Start your application online.

Step 4

Schedule an appointment.

You can also come into one of our locations. Wait times depend on staffing.

When you come in

Standard license applicants need:
  • Two primary or one primary and one secondary standard identification documents (PDF, 1MB)
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • Your knowledge (written) test results
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application
REAL ID license applicants need:
  • One proof of identity and two proof of residence REAL ID documents (PDF, 1MB)
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • Your knowledge (written) test results
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application
Enhanced license applicants need:
  • To be at least 16 years of age, a Minnesota resident and US citizen
  • Multiple enhanced identification documents (PDF, 1MB)
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • Your knowledge (written) test results
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application

Fee

  • Standard and REAL ID license - $46
  • Enhanced license - $61

Payment options

Renewal

Minnesota driver’s licenses expire every 4 years on your birthday after the age of 21.

Check your license for the expiration date.

If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, but less than 5 years, you must pass a written knowledge and vision test before applying for a new license.

If you are changing from a standard license to a REAL ID or enhanced, review the driver's license features and options.

Application process

Start your application online.

Schedule an appointment.

You can also come into one of our locations. Wait times depend on staffing.

When you come in

You will need to pass a vision screening.

Standard or REAL ID license applicants need:
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • If your name has changed since your last renewal, bring a certified copy of one of the following specifying a name change: marriage certificate, divorce or dissolution of marriage decree, certified court order specifying a name change
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, but less than 5 years, bring your written knowledge test results.
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application
Enhanced license applicants need:
  • To be at least 16 years of age, a Minnesota resident and US citizen
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • If your name has changed since your last renewal, bring a certified copy of one of the following specifying a name change: marriage certificate, divorce or dissolution of marriage decree, certified court order specifying a name change
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, but less than 5 years, bring your written knowledge test results.
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application

Fee

  • Standard and REAL ID license - $41
  • Enhanced license - $56

Payment options

Change name or address, or replacement

Apply within 30 days of a name or address change or if you've lost your license.

For a name change

After you’ve applied for your name change with the Social Security Administration, wait 2 days before applying for your new ID.

We must be able to verify your new name in the system.

Application process

Start your application online.

Schedule an appointment.

You can also come in to one of our locations. Wait times depend on staffing.

When you come in

Standard or REAL ID license applicants need:
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application 
Enhanced license applicants need:
  • To be at least 16 years of age, a Minnesota resident and US citizen
  • Your Social Security number - if you have one
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a parent or guardian (with ID) to sign the application

Fee

  • Standard and REAL ID license - $26
  • Enhanced license - $41

Payment options

Reinstatement

In Minnesota, when you apply for reinstatement, you can also pay the associated fees.

Application process

Start your application online.

Schedule an appointment.

You can also come in to one of our locations. Wait times depend on staffing.

Related pages

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