Minnesota or ‘The Land Of 10,000 Lakes’ surely is a great place to settle in with its breathtakingly beautiful forests and rivers and popular urban centers like the Twin Cities. If at all you’re planning to move to or out of this beautiful state, you need to take care of various other things as well.
The first thing you need to do before you move to, within, or outside Minnesota is complete all the legal formalities concerning your move. That’s why your DMV paperwork needs to be taken care of immediately as there is a specific time period allotted for it. Don’t worry, we have covered everything you need to know about changing the address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Let’s get started right away!
Obtaining A Driver’s License When Moving To Minnesota From Another State
The state of Minnesota gives you as many as 60 days from the time of your move to get a new driver’s license and register your vehicle with the Minnesota DMV. We advise you to get done with these formalities as soon as you move into the state rather than waiting for the last minute and then facing consequences. That’s why this should be at the top of your moving checklist. Unfortunately, there aren’t any online services available for you to get done with this process. You will have to go to the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Service office in person in order to get your new driver’s license.
1. Apply For A Change Of Address (Getting A New License)
As mentioned above, you have 60 days in your hands to get a new driver’s license as a resident of the state. Even though you have a good amount of time to apply for a change of address, you shouldn’t delay it. To save yourself some time, you can book an appointment prior to your visit at the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Service office in person.
You will need to carry the required documents given below:
- Your current out-of-state driver’s license.
- Proof of identification (Birth certificate, US passport will do).
- Social Security Number.
- Your completed change of address application form.
Note: If at all you hold an out-of-state commercial license, you have only 30 days to get your Minnesota Commercial Driving License. Another thing you should note is that the photocopies of the above documents are not accepted, so you’ll have to carry the original documents.
As long as you don’t have any outstanding suspensions or revocations on your out-of-state driver’s license, you can get a new Minnesota driver’s license. Also, if you are regarded unfit or unsafe to drive by the Minnesota DMV or an outside court, you cannot get a new driver’s license in the state.
You don’t have to worry about giving a road test if your current out-of-state license has not expired. But you will have to give a knowledge test regarding Minnesota’s rules and regulations before you apply for your new driver’s license. Along with that, you are also required to take a vision test.
Speaking of fees for a new driver’s license in Minnesota, you will be charged around $32. For further information on the fee structure, you’ll have to check the state’s official website.
2. Register Your Vehicle In Minnesota
Just like the time period of getting a new driver’s license, you have 60 days to register your vehicle in Minnesota. Without wasting any time, you’ll need to head straight to the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services Deputy Registrar office near you to get your vehicle registered. Unfortunately, there are no online services available for you to register your vehicle and so you’ll have to do it in person.
Make sure you carry the following necessary documents along with you:
- Your current out-of-state driver’s license.
- Proof of identification (Birth certificate or US passport).
- Your application to title and register a motor vehicle.
- Your vehicle’s current odometer reading.
- Name and address of your vehicle’s current lien holders.
Registration Fee: Do keep in mind that the registration fee varies depending on the type and age of your vehicle. The average title fee would be around $30. You can check the state’s official website for any additional information on the fees.
Do you need proof of insurance to register a car in Minnesota?
Yes, you need a proof of insurance to register a car in Minnesota. The state DPS will mail you the insurance verification form. You will have to fill the form stating the maintenance of your vehicle’s liability insurance.
Can you update your Minnesota DMV change of address online?
The Minnesota Driver and Services division does not give any online services for updating your DMV change of address online.
Can you drive with a foreign driver’s license in Minnesota?
Yes, you can drive with a foreign driver’s license in Minnesota only if you’re visiting the state for a short period of time. If at all you are coming to the state because of employment, you will have to get a new driver’s license.
Also See: Moving To Minnesota – Relocation Guide | Average Cost to Move Out of State
Obtaining A Driver’s License When Moving Within Minnesota
The Minnesota DMV requires you to notify them if you’re moving within the state. Just like many other states, you have 30 days to update your driver’s license with your new address when you’re moving within Minnesota. That’s why you need to keep this task on the top of your moving checklist. Unfortunately, the state does not provide any services online or by mail wherein you can update your address on your driver’s license. You will have to go to the Minnesota Driver’s License office in person to update your change of address on your driver’s license. Although there are no online services, the state does offer a pre-application form online. You can fill it beforehand so that you can save yourself some time when you visit the Minnesota Driver’s License office.
Make sure you carry the following required documents when you visit the MN DVS office:
- Completed application form (You will get it at the MN DVS office).
- Your current Minnesota driver’s license or ID.
- Social Security Number.
- Proof of identification (Birth certificate or US passport).
Do keep in mind that you will have to pass a vision test for obtaining a driver’s license while moving within Minnesota. Speaking of fees for updating your address on your driver’s license, the state charges you around $17.
Good to know: In case your Minnesota driver’s license or ID has expired for more than one year, you are obliged to take the written and skill tests to get a new driver’s license.
Here are the required documents you’ll need to carry at the MN DVS office:
- Proof of identification (Birth certificate or US passport).
- Your current driver’s license.
- Social Security Card.
Note: You will need to carry a proof of legal change in case your legal name doesn’t match the name on your primary documents.
To Update Your Registration
The state requires you to notify the DMV about your change in address and vehicle registration. Just like the time period for updating your driver’s license, you have 30 days to get your vehicle registered after you move within Minnesota. You can either do it online or in person at the Minnesota DMV office.
You’ll need to keep the following documents ready for your vehicle registration:
- Your driver’s license number.
- Your license plate number.
- Vehicle Identification Number (last three digits).
- Your date of birth and phone number.
- Current residential address.
1. Online
To finish your vehicle registration in the quickest way possible, you can choose the online service. All you have to do is visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Motor Vehicles Address Change website and fill your basic information. Make sure that you keep the above documents handy with you.
2. In Person
If you’re not comfortable with the online service, you have the option of registering your vehicle over the phone. Just keep the above documents ready with you and call Minnesota Driver and Vehicles Services at (651) 297-2126 and provide them the necessary details.
Registration Fees: You will be charged around $7 as your registration fee for registering your vehicle in Minnesota. Do keep in mind that this fee varies depending on the type of your vehicle with other included taxes. To get further information on the fee structure, you can check the state’s official website or contact the MN DVS office.
Note: Just filling your US Postal Service Change of Address Form isn’t going to update your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
When You Are Moving Out Of Minnesota
Moving can be really overwhelming and stressful especially when it comes to packing your things and also taking care of your legal formalities which are time-bound. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about notifying the Minnesota DMV about your move if you’re leaving the state. That means once you get a new driver’s license in your new state, Minnesota will automatically cancel your driver’s license. Also, the state doesn’t require you to notify about your move if you’re moving with your registered vehicle. As far as the license plates are concerned, the state doesn’t require them so you can go ahead and recycle them.
Note: Your vehicle registration records will not be updated by just filling the US Postal Service Change of Address Form.
Also See: List of Affordable Out of State Movers | Top 4 Affordable Movers
How To Contact The Minnesota DVS Office?
Website: dps.mn.gov
Phone: Driver’s License- (651) 297-3298
Driver’s License Status- (651) 284-2000
Office Locations- (651) 297-2005
For Hearing Impaired Callers- (651) 282-6555
Email ID: DVS.driverslicense@state.mn.us
Operational Hours: Monday to Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm.
Conclusion
When you update your important documents on time, you don’t have to deal with any last-minute run to the DMV office that causes so much unnecessary stress. That’s why we want to remind you that you need to update all your important documents with the correct information. Speaking of your driver’s license, it serves as a multi-purpose document and can save your day when you least expect it. So it’s better if you choose any alternative convenient for you offered by the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office to get done with your DMV paperwork as soon as possible.
