More than 130K Minnesotans have just one week to renew their licenses, IDs
There's only one week left for 132,000 Minnesotans to renew their driver's licenses or IDs after the deadline to do so was extended to March 31 due to COVID-19.
Thousands of Minnesotans have IDs or driver's licenses that would have expired between March 13, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021, but Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation into law last year granting an extension to renew the licenses and IDs until March 31, 2021, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) says.
As of Jan. 27, about 300,000 Minnesotans needed to renew their license or ID. Now, that number is at about 132,000 people who still need to renew by the end of the month or their licenses/IDs will expire.
Anyone who doesn't renew their driver's license by then will lose their driving privileges until they renew.
Here's how you can renew your driver's license or ID:
- If you have a standard driver's license or ID card that doesn't require any changes, you can renew it online here. It's the quickest and easiest way, DPS notes.
- If you have to make any changes to your name, address, signature, etc. you need to renew in-person.
- If you want the Real ID or enhanced driver's license or ID card, you have to renew in person, too (you can pre-apply online here to help save some time).
Renewing license or ID in person
Minnesotans can renew their license or ID, and apply for an enhanced driver's license or ID or Real ID, in-person at several exam stations on Saturday, March 27.
The exam stations listed below will be open to serve people who were granted extensions due to COVID-19, with no appointment required. Here they are (hours are subject to change):
- Anoka Exam Station (8 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m.)
- Downtown St. Paul Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Arden Hills Exam Station (8 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m.)
- Eagan Exam Station (8 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m.)
- Hastings Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Plymouth Exam Station (8 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m.)
- Rochester Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Austin Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Mankato Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Detroit Lakes Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- St. Cloud Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Duluth Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Virginia Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
- Bemidji Exam Station (8 a.m. – noon)
Another option to renew your license or IDs is to visit a deputy registrar and drivers' license agent offices, which are independently owned and operated. That being said, many require appointments and have limited availabilities. If you can't get an appointment by March 31, you should visit a state-run exam station or renew online if you're able to, DPS says.
You can find a list of Driver and Vehicle Services exam stations, deputy registrar and driver's license agent offices here.
