Department of Motor Vehicles

Do I Need an Appointment?

To help reduce wait times and serve you better, please review our appointment guidelines:

Appointments are ONLY required for:

• New REAL ID or Enhanced ID applicants
• Customers making changes to an existing REAL ID or Enhanced ID

All other services are Walk-In Only.

If you already have a REAL ID or an Enhanced ID and are not making any changes, you do not need an appointment.

To make an appointment please follow the steps below.

1. Fill Out a Pre-Application
   • Pre-Application 
     • Found Under My Driver's License Section
2. Documents to bring
   • Documents to bring when applying for a Real ID (PDF)
   • Documents to bring when applying for Enhanced ID (PDF)
3. Make an Appointment
   • Please Click Here                  to make an appointment after completing the steps above.

If you are doing a name change or have had a name change in the past, you must change your Social Security Card first and wait at least 24 hours before going to the Department of Motor Vehicles Office to change your credential. (Credential means the current card you have - Driver's License, ID, Instruction Permit, etc.)

For more Real ID Information Click Here Version Options Department of Motor Vehicles Headline

Services Offered

The Auditor serves as the Deputy Registrar and manages the county’s Motor Vehicle Department.

We provide

• Motor Vehicle services: license plates, tabs, new/out-of-state registrations, title transfers, record reports, and crash reports.
• DNR services: boat, snowmobile, and ATV registrations and renewals.
• Driver’s License services: new and renewal licenses, IDs, permits, record requests, and name/address changes.

REAL ID & Enhanced ID:

• Renewals: Walk-in allowed if no name or address changes are needed.
• New applications or changes: Appointment required.

Drivers License for All

Starting Oct. 1st 2023 Minnesota will be rolling out a new program

Click this image to learn more! https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/pages/drivers-license-for-all.aspx 
Minnesotans can get Standard State Identification Card, Permit or Driver's License without needing to provide proof of legal presence.

* Must have an appointment for the written and road exams.  Depending on location, the written test can be administered on paper, computer, or orally. Please verify with your local exam station for method availability.

• Primary Secondary Documents
• Certificate of Translation 

Moorhead Exam Office 

2615 2nd Ave. N, Suite 4
Moorhead, MN 56560
651-201-7900

Effective 08/01/2023- New Minnesota Citizens over the age of 21 are waived from the knowledge exam with a valid credential from a previous State. Under 21 or new drivers please visit https://drive.mn.gov to schedule a class D knowledge test. 

Written knowledge tests and road tests only
Schedule online for a written knowledge test or road exam.

If unable to schedule online call:
(651) 284-1000 or (651) 284-1234

Testing Manuals 

Click Here for PDFs of testing manuals

Disability Application

Click Here (PDF) Disability Application Disability Application

Disability Plate Application

Click Here (PDF) Disability Plate Application

Effective May 22, 2023, 100% service connected disabled veterans receive the following fee exemptions:

• Most registration fees for a total of two vehicles with registration starting on or after January 1, 2024.  The two vehicles may be in either Passenger, Motorcycle, Recreational or Non-Commercial 1-Ton class.  Personalized plate messages, special plate annual contributions and impound plate and reinstatement fees still apply.  MS 168.012, subd 13

Effective January 1, 2024, 100% service connected disabled veterans receive the following fee exemptions:

• Most title fees on any vehicle purchased on or after January 1, 2024.  MS 168A.29, sub 4
• Most title fees on any vehicle transaction done on or after January1, 2024, provided the veteran is listed as a title owner or lienholder.  Examples of transactions include, but are not limited to Duplicate Title, Title Transfer, Repossession (when the lienholder is a 100% disabled veteran and repossessing the vehicle) and Add Title transactions to surrender an OS title.  MS 168A.29, sub 4
• All fees for any type of driver license or ID card including Standard, RealID and EDL.  MS 171.06 subd 2c
• Salvage inspection and fast track fees still apply.

Effective June 30, 2024, 100% service connected disabled veterans receive the following fee exemption:

• Motor Vehicle Sales Tax on any vehicle purchased on or after July 1, 2024.  MS 297B.03 (16)

Documentation Requirement

Any of the following documents are acceptable for eligibility verification to receive the 100% Disabled Veteran indicator and appropriate exemptions for diver credentials and motor vehicle fees. 

• Annual VA Benefits Letter
• Annual VA Benefits Letter with Total Disability for Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
• VA Decision Letter
• Department of Defense (DOD) Issued Military ID Card

When selling your mobile home, you must transfer the title to the new owner at a Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles Office. A manufactured home / mobile home title is transferred the same as a motor vehicle except that no excise tax is collected. Title fees and secured party fees are the same as for other transfers.

The Certificate of Title must be accompanied by a statement from the Treasurer of the county in which the mobile home was located, stating that all the personal property mobile home taxes have been paid on the unit.

Consequence of Not Transferring the Title

If you do not transfer the title and contact the Clay County Assessor's Office regarding the change of ownership, the county will assume you are still the owner. Tax statements will continue to be issued in your name. Any delinquent taxes will be submitted for collection under your name to the Minnesota Department of Revenue Recapture Unit. The amount owing will be deducted from any State of Minnesota refunds you may have coming.

Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Statutes, sections 168A.1411 and 168A.1412 describes the process to surrender a manufactured home title or manufacturer's certificate of origin when the manufactured home is permanently affixed or is to be affixed to real property that is owned by the homeowner, whereby the manufactured home now becomes an improvement to the real property and is no longer titled as personal property.  The title for a manufactured home that is not permanently affixed to foundation, or that is placed on land that is not owned by the homeowner cannot be surrendered. The Application for Notice of Cancellation of Manufactured Home Certificate of Title (PDF) must be completed and submitted to DPS-DVS.  After the application has been completed and approved by DPS-DVS, you will receive Notice of Cancellation from DPS-DVS. The Notice of Cancellation must be attached as an exhibit to a Manufactured Home Affidavit of Affixation. The Manufactured Home Affidavit of Affixation must be signed before a notary and recorded with the County Recorder or Registrar of Titles.