Standard license

Valid for:

• Domestic air travel – through October 1, 2020
• Identification and lawful driving privileges 

Real ID compliant license

Not required until 2020. Valid for:

• Domestic air travel
• Access to federal and military facilities
• Identification and lawful driving privileges
• For additional information visit MN Driver and Vehicle Services REAL ID

Enhanced license

Can be issue only to U.S. citizens. Not required until 2020.

Valid for:

• Domestic air travel
• Re-entry into the U.S. via land and sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean
• Access to federal and military facilities
• Identification and lawful driving privileges

Note: We stop taking applications for enhanced licenses one (1) hour prior to closing.

Traveling now? See MN driver’s license and ID options.

These are issued to people who are new to the state of Minnesota and to Minnesotans who have completed both the driver's instruction permit and provisional license requirements.

If you have a valid license from another U.S. state, certain territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, and Guam), or Canada, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident to obtain your Minnesota driver’s license.

Qualifications

Individuals new to Minnesota who have a valid license from another state

1. First take and pass a knowledge test at our Midtown Exchange location or one of the metro area driver's exam stations.
2. Get your knowledge test results.
3. Apply in person at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. Bring your knowledge test results and identification documents (PDF) with you.

Minnesota permit holders and non-driver individuals who don't have valid license from another state

1. First take and pass a knowledge test at our Midtown Exchange location or one of the metro area driver's exam stations.
2. Schedule, take and pass your road test.
3. Apply in person at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. Bring your test results and identification documents (PDF) with you.

How to apply

Apply in person at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. Please bring the following:

• One primary and one secondary document from the identification list (PDF)
• Your Social Security number if you have one
• If you are under 18, a parent or guardian with proper identification must be present
• Your knowledge (written) test results

Cost

• $25.25 for Class D (most common)
• Cost varies for other classes and endorsements
• Payment options

Additional information

First time Minnesota driver's licenses, first time Minnesota identification cards, and information regarding driver's license knowledge or road tests can also be obtained at metro area driver's exam stations.

Minnesota driver’s licenses must be renewed every four years on or before your birthday. If your license has been expired for more than one year, but less than five years, you must pass a knowledge test and a vision test before applying for a new license.

How to apply

Apply in person for renewal at any Hennepin County service center and have your photo taken. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. You will need to pass a vision screening and bring the following:

• Your Social Security number if you have one
• If you are under 18, a parent or guardian with proper identification must be present
• 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

Cost

• $25.25 for Class D (most common)
• Cost varies for other classes and endorsements
• Payment options

Apply for a duplicate license within 30 days of a name or address change, or if you have lost your license.

Your name must already be updated in the social security system for us to accept application for a driver’s license name change. Learn more about how to change your name on your social security card at Social Security Administration or Social Security Card FAQs.

How to apply

Apply in person at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. You need to bring the following:

• One primary and one secondary document from the identification list (PDF)
• Your Social Security number if you have one
• If you are under 18, a parent or guardian with proper identification must be present

Cost

• $14.75
• Payment options

A Minnesota resident may apply for reinstatement of a driver's license and also pay the associated fees at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

Your fees will be determined at the time you apply. Fees vary and are based on the type of reinstatement being applied for.

If you have questions regarding the process of applying and paying for reinstatement at a Hennepin County Service Center, please call 612-348-8240.

Minnesota has a three-step process to become a licensed Class D driver. Anyone 18 years or younger must hold an instruction permit for at least six months before taking a road test.

• Step 1: instruction permit
• Step 2: provisional driver's license
• Step 3: full Class D driver's license

Obtaining your instruction permit is the first step to becoming a licensed Minnesota driver. The permit is valid for two years of practice driving with a licensed driver sitting in the front passenger seat. It is illegal to practice driving without a valid instruction permit. When you drive, you must have your instruction permit with you.

Qualifications

• Be at least 15 years old
• Have completed 30 hours of classroom instruction and enrollment in behind-the-wheel instruction
  
  • If you are 18 or older, classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction is not required
• Pass a vision screening and knowledge (written) test

How to apply for a new/first time instruction permit

Apply in person at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

Come in to apply, take your vision test and have your photo taken. You need the following items:

• One primary and one secondary document from the identification list (PDF)
• Your social security number if you have one
• If you are under 18, a parent or guardian with proper identification must be present
• Proof of your completed classroom instruction
• Proof of enrollment in behind-the-wheel instruction
• Knowledge test results

Under 18 limitations

• Supervising driver must be 21 years old or older.
• Every occupant must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system.
• You may not use, or talk on, a cell phone while driving (with or without a hands-free device).

18 and older limitations

• Supervising driver must be 18 years old or older.
• All passengers must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system.

Cost

• $13.25 -valid for two years from the date of application
• Payment options

Additional information

• If you are over 18, you do not need a provisional license (step 2).

If your instruction permit is lost or expired, apply for another one. It will be valid for two years from the date of application for practice driving with a licensed driver sitting in the front passenger seat.

It is illegal to practice driving without a valid instruction permit. You must have your permit on you when you drive.

How to apply

Come in to any Hennepin County service center to apply and have your photo taken. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. You need the following:

• Your Social Security number if you have one
• If you are under 18, a parent or guardian with proper identification must be present
• Your current permit card
• To pass a vision screening

Under 18 limitations

• Supervising driver must be 21 years old or older.
• All passengers must wear a seat belt or a child passenger restraint.
• You can't use, or talk on, a cell phone while driving (with or without a hands-free device).

18 and older limitations

• Supervising driver must be 18 years old or older.
• All passengers must wear a seat belt or a child passenger restraint.

Cost

• $13.25
• Payment options

Additional information

• If you are over 18, you do not need a provisional license (step 2).

Step two in the process of becoming a licensed Minnesota driver is obtaining your provisional license. This license is valid for two years from the date of application and has restrictions that do not apply to a full Class D driver's license.

If you are 18 and have held your instructional permit for at least six months you may immediately apply for your first time driver's license.

Qualifications

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Have successfully passed a road test
• Have completed behind-the-wheel instruction
• Have completed 30 hours of classroom instruction
• Had an instruction permit (step 1) for six months with no conviction for moving or alcohol/controlled-substance violations
• Have a signature from a parent or guardian certifying at least 30 hours (10 of which must have been at night) of supervised (with a person at least 21 years old) driving

How to apply for a new provisional license

Come in and apply in person at any Hennepin County service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment. You will need the following:

• Your Social Security number if you have one
• If you're under 18, a parent or guardian (with ID) to also sign the application
• Proof of your completed classroom instruction
• Proof of enrollment in behind-the-wheel instruction

Cost

• $16.25
• Payment options

Restrictions

During the first six months

Only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian

Driving is prohibited from midnight until 5 a.m. unless the provisional driver is:

• Accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years old
• Driving between home and work
• Driving between home and a school event for which the school does not provide transportation
• Driving for employment purposes

During the second six months

• No more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Note: Passengers under 20 who are members of the provisional driver’s immediate family are permitted during both time periods.