I'm a new resident in Minnesota: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Minnesota. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Minnesota

Each rule comes from the Minnesota driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  60 days after becoming a resident (30 days for commercial drivers).

  What the manual says

  • How soon to switch

    New residents have 60 days (30 days for commercial drivers) to get a Minnesota license or permit. A resident with a valid license from another state, a Canadian province or U.S. military authority may drive in Minnesota for up to 60 days after becoming a resident before getting a Minnesota license. A Minnesota license cannot be issued until you present all your other driver’s licenses and ID cards to DVS.

  Source: [1]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Valid license, 21+: vision test only. Under 21 or expired under a year: written test.

  What the manual says

  • If you are 21 or older and moving from another state with a valid, unexpired license, you can get a license by passing a vision test and completing an application; no written or road test is required.

  • A valid license from another state, a U.S. territory, the military or Canada

    If you are 21 or older and have a valid, unexpired, non-commercial license from another state, certain U.S. territories, the U.S. military or Canada, you can transfer it by passing a vision test and completing an application, with no written or road test. If you are under 21, you need to pass the Class D written test.

  • For a driver 21 or older moving from another state, if the former state license is expired less than one year, the written test is required.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 6

  Source: [1] [2]

• Liability insurance

  Owners of vehicles driven on public roads must carry no-fault and liability insurance, with proof in the vehicle.

  What the manual says

  • Owners of motor vehicles driven on public roads must carry no-fault and liability insurance.
  • You must have valid proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 40

• How long the license lasts

  Usually expires on your birthday; renewed every four years after age 21.

  What the manual says

  • A Minnesota license typically expires on your birthday and must be renewed every four years after you reach 21.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 19

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  First six months of a provisional license: no driving midnight to 5 a.m., with listed exceptions.

  What the manual says

  • Night driving

    During the first six months of a provisional license, you must not drive from midnight to 5 a.m. unless you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, driving to or from work, driving between home and a school event when no school transportation is available, or driving as part of your job.

  Source: [1] [3]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Provisional license: one under-20 passenger in months 1-6, max three in 7-12; except with parent or guardian, or immediate family.

  What the manual says

  • During the first six months you may have only one passenger under 20 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • During the second six months you may have no more than three passengers under 20 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • You may have immediate family members under age 20 as passengers during both time periods.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 15

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance: no alcohol at all for drivers under 21; a first conviction means a 30-day suspension.

  What the manual says

  • Alcohol

    It is illegal for anyone under age 21 to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.

  • A first conviction under the no tolerance rule suspends driving privileges for 30 days.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 95

  Source: [3]

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusing the test is a crime; revocation of one to six years, depending on priors.

  What the manual says

  • Refusing the test is a crime and results in a revocation of driving privileges.
  • Refusing the test results in a revocation of driving privileges for one to six years, depending on the number of offenses on record.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 93

• Seat belts

  Driver and all passengers, including back seat; police may stop you for a seat belt violation alone.

  What the manual says

  • The driver and all passengers, including those in the back seat, must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.
  • Law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37

• Child safety seats

  Under 2: rear-facing until seat's limit; 4-9 too big for car seat: booster; belt at 9 or past booster limit.

  What the manual says

  • Children under 2 years of age must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat.
  • A child from 4 to 9 years old must use a booster seat and be secured with a safety belt if they are too tall or too heavy for the car seat.
  • When a child is 9 years old, or exceeds the weight or height limit of the booster seat, they must sit without the booster and be secured with a seat belt.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38

• Phone use while driving

  No texting, email or internet while driving; hands-free mode allowed for fully licensed 18+. Under-18 permit/provisional holders: no phone use.

  What the manual says

  • Using such a device for text messaging, emailing or internet access is illegal while driving, including while stopped in traffic.
  • Using the device in voice-activated or hands-free mode is an exception, as is getting emergency assistance or reporting a crash or crime.
  • Drivers under 18 with an instruction permit or provisional license may not use a cell phone while driving, whether handheld or hands-free.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 79, 40

• School buses

  Stop at least 20 feet away until red lights stop; divided road: no stop if bus is across the divider.

  What the manual says

  • You must stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.
  • You must remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing, whether you are facing the front or back of the bus.
  • On a divided roadway you do not need to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of the divider.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 42

• Move Over law

  Emergency vehicle flashing on the shoulder: move a lane away if safe; if not, slow down, pass with caution.

  What the manual says

  • You must move a lane away from the emergency vehicle if it is possible to do so safely; if you cannot, slow down.
  • If you cannot move over, slow down and pass with caution.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 77, 44

• Headlights

  Sunset to sunrise; also in rain, snow, sleet or hail, and when you cannot see more than 500 feet ahead.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says headlights must be turned on at sunset and used until sunrise.
  • Headlights must be used when you cannot see more than 500 feet ahead and when it is raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 73, 83

• Right turn on red

  After stopping, when intersection is clear and traffic may go that way; not at a No Turn on Red sign.

  What the manual says

  • After stopping, you may turn right on red when the intersection is clear, if traffic is permitted to travel in that direction.
  • A No Turn on Red sign means you wait for the traffic signal to turn green before you turn.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 66, 58

• Speed limits

  Unless signs say otherwise, under ideal conditions: alleys 10 mph, urban or town roads 30, elsewhere 55.

  What the manual says

  • Under ideal conditions the limit in alleys is 10 mph unless signs indicate otherwise.
  • Under ideal conditions the limit on urban or town roads is 30 mph unless signs indicate otherwise.
  • Under ideal conditions the limit is 55 mph in all locations not otherwise specified, unless signs indicate otherwise.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 26

• Left lane and keeping right

  On highways with several lanes your way, use the right-hand lane when available; may leave it for left turns.

  What the manual says

  • On highways with more than one lane in the same direction, you should drive in the right-hand lane when available.
  • You may leave the right-hand lane when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

  Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 33

Official steps for moving to Minnesota

• How soon to switch

  New residents have 60 days (30 days for commercial drivers) to get a Minnesota license or permit. A resident with a valid license from another state, a Canadian province or U.S. military authority may drive in Minnesota for up to 60 days after becoming a resident before getting a Minnesota license. A Minnesota license cannot be issued until you present all your other driver’s licenses and ID cards to DVS.

  Source: [1]

• A valid license from another state, a U.S. territory, the military or Canada

  If you are 21 or older and have a valid, unexpired, non-commercial license from another state, certain U.S. territories, the U.S. military or Canada, you can transfer it by passing a vision test and completing an application, with no written or road test. If you are under 21, you need to pass the Class D written test.

  Source: [1] [2]

• If that license has expired

  If your license from another state is expired, you need to pass the Class D written test. If it has been expired for more than one year, you need to pass both the Class D written test and the road test. An out-of-state license that has been expired for more than a year may qualify for a road-test waiver for someone still in the military with an In-Service letter.

  Source: [1] [2]

• A license from another country

  If your license is from a country other than the U.S. or Canada, you may need to take the written test and the road test. The DVS new-resident page explains which tests apply, so check it before you go.

  Source: [2]

• A permit from another state

  If you are under 18 and have an out-of-state instruction permit, you meet the ID requirements, present the out-of-state permit, pass the Class D written test and have a parent or guardian sign the application. If you want to use time held on an out-of-state permit toward a Minnesota provisional license, you need proof of driver training equal to 30 classroom hours and six behind-the-wheel hours, along with a certified driving record from that state.

  Source: [4] [5]

• Before you go

  Only one written test is allowed per day. You can bring a vision report from your eye doctor instead of taking the vision check at the office. For your visit, bring your documents, your passed road test if it applies, and the fee; be ready for your photo, know your Social Security number, and pre-apply for faster service.

  Source: [2]

Sources

1. Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026 edition) (dps.mn.gov) — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)
2. Class D driver’s license for new resident (dps.mn.gov) — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)
3. Teen driver laws (dps.mn.gov) — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety (linked from the DVS pages)
4. Class D driver’s license for new driver under age 18 (dps.mn.gov) — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)
5. Driver education (dps.mn.gov) — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)