License Bureau FAQs

Yes, you can! We are located in the lower level of New Brighton City Hall.

To save time start the online application and bring the confirmation with you.

Beginning May 7, 2025, a federal ID will be required for domestic flights. You can see a list of approved federal IDs HERE. 

If you choose to use a non-driver’s license ID (such as passport) for air travel, or if you never plan to travel by air, you are not required to upgrade your license. 

There are three Minnesota driver's licenses currently available: Standard, REAL, and Enhanced. Most Minnesota residents currently have a Standard driver's license, which will remain valid for identification and driving privileges, even after the federal ID travel deadline.

REAL and Enhanced licenses have essentially the same function, except that the Enhanced can be used as a passport card that can be used to travel to and return from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. It can also be used to board aircraft for domestic travel. 

Please note that none of the licenses or IDs are valid for international air travel.

If you are unsure what type of ID you need, go HERE for a helpful questionnaire.

You can save time by pre-applying for a DL/ID before visiting our office.

Yes!

Once you've completed your test at an exam station, you may stop in to our location to apply for your very first Instruction Permit. Please Pre-Apply for a Driver's License or ID and print your confirmation. Then, review the identification requirements (en Espanol) for the additional paperwork you'll have to present. 

Please note that if you are under 18 on the day of your appointment, a parent or legal guardian (with documents) must be present. You must present your signed driving log, blue Driver’s Ed card, and passed exam form, along with your valid driving permit.

If you are over 18, you must present your passed exam form, along with your valid driving permit.

Complete information about Instruction Permits can be found HERE.

Yes! We are now able to offer Class D Knowledge Exams! Please click HERE for more information!

We are not able to offer exams for CDL or Motorcycle.  Search for exam locations near you.

For general questions including locations, testing, or to schedule an appointment, please call 651-201-7900 or go to the MN Driver and Vehicle Services website.

We do not carry driving manuals.  You can access them online:

English

Espanol

Hmong

Unfortunately, no.

You will need to contact an exam station, such as Arden Hills Exam Station, on costs and requirements to reinstate your driver’s license.

Yes, we do!

To apply for or renew a disability certificate please have the disability application (PDF) or disability renewal card completed and signed ahead of time.

As long as the form or card is complete, either the customer or a 3rd party may submit the form. You can mail the form to the state, but we recommend bringing the form to our office. You can then be assured the form is submitted directly to your record, and you will leave with a temporary parking permit.

Yes!

Please complete the Commercial Driver License Medical Self-certification Form (PDF) and bring your new medical card with you to complete your request.

For additional information, please call 651-297-5029 or visit Driver and Vehicle Services.

For additional driver’s license questions, please call 651-297-3298 or visit the MN Department of Public Safety website.

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. You may wish to contact your specific airline for questions regarding ID requirements for travelers under 18. See TSA requirements HERE. 

If you are a driver, you will need to pass a knowledge exam before you can convert your license to Minnesota, even if you have previously had a driver’s license in Minnesota. 

We are now able to offer this Class D Knowledge Exam!  Please click HERE for information about this service.

If you are coming from out of the country (except Canada), you will need to take a knowledge exam, carry a driving permit for three months, and then pass a skills exam.

If you have an out of state ID only, no exam is required. Bring the required documents (en Espanol) to our office and we can assist you. 

Complete information HERE.

You are certainly welcome to renew your tabs online or by mail.  We encourage coming to our office or using one of our drop boxes for two reasons: 

• When you renew in office, you walk out with tabs in hand, no waiting for the mail or concern about mailbox security. And you don’t have to spend a stamp!
• Renewing at our office helps to support us by keeping the filing fees local. When you renew by mail or online, all of the fees go directly to the state, and your local license bureau receives nothing. We appreciate your support!

Yes!

If you are the registered owner, come in with your ID, plate number and valid insurance information. You will receive a registration card with your vehicle tabs.

If you are purchasing tabs for someone else without their renewal notice you will need to have an Authorization Form completed along with a live ink signature by the owner.

Electronic insurance information is accepted.

As of January 1st, 2016 you are required to provide your auto insurance company's name, policy number and expiration date (MM/DD/YYYY).

Electronic insurance information is accepted.

Bring in your ID and plate number. We can issue you a new set of tabs. There may be fees involved.

If you are not the registered owner, you will need to have an Authorization Form (PDF) completed along with a live ink signature by the owner.

To streamline the process, please complete the Application for Duplicate Plates and/or Stickers form (PDF) before your visit.

If you ordered your tabs online or by mail, don’t wait more than 30 days.   It definitely should not take that long!

Bring in your ID and plate number. We can issue you a new set of plates.

If you are not the registered owner, you will need to have an Authorization Form (PDF) completed along with a live ink signature by the owner.

To streamline the process, please complete the Application for Duplicate Plates and/or Stickers form (PDF) before your visit.

If you believe your plates were stolen, we advise you to report them to your local Public Safety department.

A registered owner of the vehicle must come in with their license to request a duplicate title.  If a title has previously been issued, we can usually print a duplicate in our office. The fee for this is $20.50.  

To streamline the process, please complete a Duplicate Title Application (PDF) before you come in.

If a title has not already been issued, we can look into the record and see why, and assist you to correct any issues that would have prevented the title from being issued.

If you have registered a vehicle in Minnesota and have not received your title within 3-4 months, please come in so we can check it out.

Please begin by completing an Application To Title (PDF). If all owners are unable to stop in, please make sure they sign the bottom of the Application to Title and bring a copy of the front and back of their driver's license.

You will need your title, valid insurance information including the company name, policy number, and policy expiration date (MM/DD/YYYY). Electronic insurance information is accepted. If you do not have your out-of-state title, you can bring the most current out-of-state registration card.  If there is a loan on the vehicle, we will need the lien holder's name, address and the date of loan (MM/DD/YYYY).

If this is a leased vehicle, we will need a Power of Attorney from the leasing company authorizing you to register the vehicle in Minnesota and their Minnesota Tax Account number. Please bring your lease agreement and arrive with a completed and printed Application To Title (PDF) and a Lessee Designation form (PDF). Note that because this is a leased vehicle the leasing company should be listed as the owner and their information listed on the Application To Title. Your information should be listed on the Lessee Designation form. If there is a loan on the vehicle that the leasing company would like listed we will need the lien holder's name, address and the date of loan (MM/DD/YYYY).

Complete information can be found HERE.

The transfer fee is based many factors such as the age and the amount paid for the vehicle.

You can stop in with your vehicle identification number (VIN) or plate number and we are glad to calculate the fees for you. 

See a list of general title transfer fees (PDF).

For further information visit the Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or contact the DPS at 651-297-2126.

In Minnesota, regardless if you took out a loan for your vehicle or not, you will receive a Minnesota title in the mail.

If you have both your Minnesota title and lien release in hand, you have two options:

• Option 1: Staple the title and lien together and put it in a safe place. Should you choose to sell or trade it, you just have to hand both over.
• Option 2: Stop in to submit the title and lien release to the State to request a clean title. There will be a filing fee charged. Please ensure the address on the title is your most current address.

If you lost your title please complete an application for a duplicate title (PDF), and bring both the form and the lien release in. We will release the lien when we order the duplicate title. (Fees may be applied to this transaction.)

For further information visit the Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or contact the DPS at 651-297-2126.

We highly recommend stopping in with your buyer to ensure the transfer of your vehicle; however, we understand that is not always convenient. When selling a vehicle, have the buyer fully complete the "Seller’s Notice of Sale" located at the bottom of the title and keep it for your record. You can complete a report of sale online. You may also stop in and we can report the sale as well.

Yes, most specialty plates can be transferred to another vehicle in your name.

Please complete the Special Plate Application (PDF) before your visit.

Visit Driver and Vehicle Service Online Services under Vehicle Services and and select “Search for Registration Tax Paid."

For further information visit the Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or contact the DPS at 651-297-2126.

Purchased Used ATV From Another Person

Please complete an original Bill of Sale (PDF) between you and the seller. All signatures on the Bill of Sale must be live ink signatures, no copies.

Purchased New ATV From the Store or ATV Dealer

Begin by completing a DNR universal registration form (PDF). Then, bring the Manufacture's Statement of Origin (MCO) including the width of your ATV and your receipt with you. Be sure the receipt shows a breakdown of the charges, sales tax, and fees you paid.

Purchased Used Boat or Watercraft From Another Person

Please complete an original Bill of Sale for a Boat and Trailer (PDF) between you and the seller. All signatures on the Bill of Sale for a Boat and Trailer must be live ink signatures, no copies.

• If the boat or watercraft is titled, please complete the buyer's portion of the title and bring that with you. If there is a loan listed, please have the lien release with you as well. Typically a boat or watercraft over 16 feet and/or previously had a loan is titled. Once it is titled it is always titled going forward.
• If there was no trailer involved in the sale you may leave the trailer portion of the bill of sale blank.

Purchased New Boat or Watercraft From the Store

Begin by completing a DNR universal registration form (PDF). Then, bring the Manufacture's Statement of Origin (MCO) and your receipt with you. Be sure the receipt shows a breakdown of the charges, sales tax, and fees you paid.

Please Note

New watercraft that are both 10 feet or under and non-motorized are not required to be registered in Minnesota.

If you've lost your boat title complete an Application for Duplicate Watercraft Title (PDF) and mail it to the DNR.

Make an $11 check or money order for remittance to:

MN Department of Natural Resources
License Center
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4026

Purchased Used Snowmobile From Another Person

Please complete an original Bill of Sale (PDF) between you and the seller. All signatures on the Bill of Sale must be live ink signatures, no copies.

Purchased New Snowmobile From the Store

Begin by completing a DNR universal registration form (PDF). Then, bring the Manufacture's Statement of Origin (MCO) and your receipt with you. Be sure the receipt shows a breakdown of the charges, sales tax, and fees you paid.

If you are listed as an owner just bring your driver's license or identification. We can look you up and complete the renewal in DNR.

If someone else is stopping in on behalf of the owner, only a notarized DNR Authorization form (PDF) will be accepted on behalf of the owner. Please have the form completed and notarized and attach a copy of the owner's driver's license or state-issued identification card. The notarized DNR Authorization form must have a live ink signature, no copies.

If you would like to add a family member or friend to your non-titled ATV, watercraft, or snowmobile so that in the future they may be able to come in on their own, please complete a Bill of Sale (PDF) with you as the seller and then sign both yourself and that family member or friend back on as buyers. All signatures on the Bill of Sale must be live ink signatures, no copies.

General fishing knowledge:

• If you've never had a Game and Fish license the first time we register you into DNR your driver's license or identification and social security number is required.
• All others who have had a Game and Fish license just need to show a driver's license or identification with your request.
• For combination licenses with a spouse, only one person is required to be present. However, if it is your first time purchasing a combination license, we do require additional information about your spouse, and if last names do not match, a marriage certificate is required as proof that first time.
• Children under 16 do not require a license.

For additional information and questions visit the Minnesota DNR. You may also email the DNR or reach them at 651-296-6157 or 888-MINNDNR.

Types of Payments Accepted:

• Cash
• Check
• **Debit/Credit
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • Touchless Pay

** A 2.49% processing fee applies 

To purchase a hunting or fishing license, regardless of your age, you must either have your Social Security Number on your DNR customer file, or you can provide your Minnesota driver's license/ID.

Please note: We can not issue a hunting or fishing license without a valid Social Security number, regardless of age.

To learn more please visit the MN Department of Natural Resources or call 651-296-6157.

No. Unfortunately, we do not offer these services.

Please visit the Minnesota Department of Health Certificates and Records for information on forms and locations.