Ready? Renew!
March 18, 2021
Did you get an extension to renew your Minnesota driver's license? If so, your time is almost up. March 31 is the deadline to renew for anyone whose driver's license expired between March 13, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021. The expiration date was extended to March 31, 2021 as a result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz last year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
So if you meet the conditions above and you haven't already, it's time to renew your license. It's the only way to keep legal driving privileges – there are no more available extensions under the law. The sooner you renew, the better. Approximately 141,000 Minnesotans with extensions still need to do so.
If you just want to renew your standard driver's license without any name or address changes, the easiest, quickest way to do that is online at drive.mn.gov.
You can also renew in person. There are two ways to do that:
Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) exam stations operate on a first-come, first served basis. Some are offering Saturday hours specifically for people who have the extension and need to renew. Find locations and Saturday hours here.
Driver's license agent offices may require appointments. Hours vary by location, since these offices are independently owned and operated. You can find more information here.
If you want a REAL ID, you can do that now too, but remember that it's optional. Starting Oct. 1, 2021, you won't be able to use your standard driver's license or ID to get on a domestic flight or into a federal facility. Instead, you'd have to show a passport or passport card, a REAL ID, or an enhanced driver's license or ID. If you can't decide which ID or driver's license is right for you, use the online Help Me Choose tool.
If you decide to get your REAL ID or enhanced driver's license when you renew, you'll have to do so in person – but if you pre-apply online at drive.mn.gov, you can save time during your office visit and be sure you bring the right documents with you.
So remember, check the expiration date on your Minnesota driver's license or ID. If it's between March 13, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021, you'll need to renew it before March 31.
