Where to renew in Denver
In Denver, you renew your driver's license at a Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. The state has one full-service location in Denver itself: the Northeast Denver office at 7151 East 87th Avenue. This is where most Denver residents go for in-person renewal.
Colorado also runs a mail-in renewal program for certain drivers, which you can use from home. Mail renewal works if your license is not expired more than one year, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed. If you meet those conditions, you can renew by mail without visiting an office at all.
Before you go to the office or choose mail renewal, check your license expiration date. Colorado licenses expire on your birthday, five years after issue. If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Key Takeaways
- Denver's main DMV office is at 7151 East 87th Avenue on the northeast side, and you can walk in without an appointment, though wait times vary by time of day and season.
- If your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical restrictions or address changes, you can renew by mail using the form DL-44 and avoid the office entirely.
- You need your current license, proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment in the form of cash, debit card, or check — no credit cards at the office.
- Renewal takes about 10 business days by mail and usually 30 minutes to an hour in person, depending on how busy the office is that day.
- Your new license arrives by mail within two weeks of approval, whether you renewed in person or by mail.
What documents you need to bring
For in-person renewal at the Denver DMV office, bring your current Colorado driver's license and one document that proves you live in Colorado. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.
If your address has changed since your last license, bring the new proof of residency showing your new address. If you have not changed your address, your current license and one residency document are enough.
You will also need to pay the renewal fee. Colorado charges $28 for a five-year renewal. The Denver DMV office takes cash, debit cards, and checks, but not credit cards. Bring the exact amount or be prepared for change in cash.
If you are renewing by mail, you do not bring documents to an office. Instead, you mail your current license, the renewal form, and payment to the address on the form. The form itself (DL-44) comes from the Colorado DMV website or you can request one by phone.
In-person renewal at the Northeast Denver office
Walk into the Northeast Denver DMV office at 7151 East 87th Avenue without an appointment. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wait times are shortest early in the morning on weekdays and longest on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
When you arrive, take a number from the ticket machine near the entrance. You will wait until your number is called. The wait usually runs 30 minutes to an hour, though it can be longer on busy days. Bring your documents and payment with you.
At the window, the DMV staff member will check your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal. You will sign a form confirming your information is correct. If everything is in order, you pay the $28 fee and you are done. Your new license will arrive by mail within two weeks.
If the staff member finds an issue — for example, your residency document is too old or your address does not match your license — they will tell you what to fix. You may be able to fix it on the spot or you may need to come back with different documents.
Mail renewal by form
To renew by mail, first check that you meet the requirements: your license expired less than one year ago, you have no medical restrictions listed on your license, and your address has not changed. If all three are true, you can proceed.
Get the renewal form DL-44 from the Colorado DMV website (colorado.gov/dor/dmv) or call the DMV at 303-205-5600 to request one by mail. The form is short and asks for your name, license number, date of birth, and signature.
Mail the completed form, your current license, and a check or money order for $28 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash through the mail. Include a return address so the DMV can send your new license back to you.
Processing takes about 10 business days from the day the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license arrives by mail within two weeks after that. If you need your license sooner, you must renew in person at the office instead.
What happens if your license is expired more than one year
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use mail renewal. You must go to the Denver DMV office in person and renew there. The process is the same as regular in-person renewal — bring your documents, pay the fee, and get your new license by mail — but you have no choice about where to do it.
Some people in this situation worry they cannot drive to the DMV office. Colorado law allows you to drive to the office to renew your license even if your current license is expired, as long as you are going directly to the DMV. Once your renewal is complete, you can drive home. Do not make other stops.
Renewing online is not an option in Colorado
Colorado does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You must renew either in person at a DMV office or by mail. There is no third option through a website or app.
Some states allow online renewal, but Colorado has not adopted that system. If you see a website claiming to renew your Colorado license online for a fee, it is not a real DMV service. The only official way to renew is through the Colorado DMV directly — in person or by mail — and the fee is always $28.
Timeline and what to expect after renewal
If you renew in person, you walk out of the office with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two weeks. If you renew by mail, you do not get a temporary license; you straightforward wait for your new license to arrive.
During the two-week wait, your old license is still valid for driving. Once your new license arrives, destroy the old one or keep it for your records — Colorado does not require you to return it.
If your new license does not arrive within three weeks of your renewal, contact the DMV at 303-205-5600. Have your renewal receipt or confirmation number ready. The DMV can check the status of your license and reissue it if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I moved to Denver from another state?
No. If your current license is from another state, you cannot renew it in Colorado. You must get a new Colorado license instead. Go to the Denver DMV office with your out-of-state license, proof of Colorado residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The process is similar to renewal but is technically a new license process.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail if you do not have your current license to send in. Go to the Denver DMV office in person and ask for a replacement license. Bring proof of residency and pay the $28 fee. The staff will issue you a new license with the same number and expiration date as your old one.
Do I need an appointment at the Denver DMV office?
No. The Northeast Denver office operates on a walk-in basis. You do not need to call ahead or book a time. Just show up during business hours, take a number, and wait. However, you can call 303-205-5600 to ask about current wait times before you go.
What if my name changed since my last license?
Bring proof of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your other documents. You can renew in person with the name change, but you cannot renew by mail. Go to the Denver DMV office and tell the staff member your name has changed.
Can I renew early before my license expires?
Yes. Colorado allows you to renew your license up to six months before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid a busy time at the DMV. The renewal process is the same, and your new license will have a new expiration date five years from the renewal date.