What you need to do to renew in Denver

To renew your Denver driver's license, you have two main routes: renew online through the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, or visit a DMV office in person. Online renewal is faster and works if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical conditions or violations that require an in-person review. If your license expired more than a year ago, or if you need to update your address, vision, or other information, you must go to a DMV office.

Denver has two full-service DMV locations: one on South Santa Fe Drive and one on North Speer Boulevard. Both handle renewals, but wait times vary by day and time. You can check current wait times on the Colorado DMV website before you go. Bring your current license, proof of Colorado residency (a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website takes about 10 minutes and costs less than in-person renewal, but only works if your license expired within the last year.
  • In-person renewal at a Denver DMV office is required if your license has been expired for more than a year, or if you have medical conditions or recent violations.
  • You will need your current license, proof of Colorado residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number for any renewal method.
  • Denver's two DMV offices are on South Santa Fe Drive and North Speer Boulevard; check wait times on the Colorado DMV website before visiting.
  • Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you renew online, or you can receive it when ready at the office if you renew in person.

Renewing online through the Colorado DMV website

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Go to the Colorado DMV website, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and log in with your Colorado driver's license number and date of birth. You will answer questions about your health, vision, and any address changes. The system will tell you when ready if you are may be able to access to renew online or if you must visit an office.

The fee for online renewal is lower than in-person renewal—currently $28.75 for a standard five-year license. You pay by credit or debit card during the process. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Renewing in person at a Denver DMV office

If you cannot renew online, or if you prefer to renew in person and receive your license the same day, visit one of Denver's two DMV offices. The South Santa Fe Drive location is at 2955 South Santa Fe Drive, and the North Speer Boulevard location is at 405 North Speer Boulevard. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (hours may vary, so check the Colorado DMV website before you go).

Bring your current license, proof of Colorado residency dated within the last 60 days (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number. You will fill out an process, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee—currently $36.75 for a standard five-year license. If you pass the vision screening, you will receive your new license on the spot. If you fail the vision test, you will be directed to get an eye exam before your license is issued.

What documents and information you need

For any renewal method, have these items ready: your current Colorado driver's license, proof of Colorado residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail addressed to you at your current address. The document must show your name and current address.

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing after your license has been expired for more than a year, the DMV may require additional documents or a new vision test, so call ahead to confirm what you need.

When your license expires and renewal important date

Your Colorado driver's license is valid for five years from the date it was issued. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires—the DMV does not penalize you for renewing early. If you renew before expiration, your new license will be valid for five years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but only through in-person renewal at a DMV office. Once your license has been expired for more than one year, the renewal process becomes more complex and may require a new written test or vision exam. It is easier and faster to renew before your license expires.

Fees and payment methods

Online renewal costs $28.75 for a standard five-year license. In-person renewal costs $36.75 for a standard five-year license. If you are 65 or older, the fee is lower—$11.50 for online renewal and $16.75 for in-person renewal. These fees are current as of 2024 but may change; check the Colorado DMV website for the most recent amounts.

For online renewal, you pay by credit or debit card during the process process. For in-person renewal, the Denver DMV offices accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card. If you pay by check, make it out to the Colorado Department of Revenue.

What happens after you renew

If you renew online, your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on your current license until the new one arrives. If you renew in person at a Denver DMV office and pass the vision test, you will receive your new license when ready—you can drive away with it the same day.

Your new license will have a new expiration date five years from the renewal date. Keep your old license until the new one arrives; some places may ask to see both. Once you have the new license, you can destroy the old one or keep it for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Denver driver's license if I just moved to Colorado?

No. You must have a Colorado driver's license before you can renew it. If you just moved to Colorado from another state, you need to get a Colorado license first by visiting a DMV office with your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and Social Security number. Once you have a Colorado license, you can renew it online or in person.

What if my license expired more than a year ago?

You must renew in person at a Denver DMV office. Online renewal is not available. The DMV may require a new vision test or written test depending on how long your license has been expired. Call the DMV ahead of time to find out what documents and tests you will need.

Do I need an appointment to renew at a Denver DMV office?

No appointment is required, but you can check wait times on the Colorado DMV website before you visit. If wait times are long, you may want to go early in the morning or on a less busy day. Some DMV offices offer online scheduling in the future; check the website for updates.

Can I renew my license if I have a medical condition or recent traffic violation?

It depends on the condition or violation. Some medical conditions and violations require in-person review by a DMV examiner. The online system will tell you during the renewal process whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are not, you must visit a Denver DMV office in person.

What if I need to change my address when I renew?

You can change your address during online renewal or in person at a DMV office. If you renew online, enter your new address in the process. If you renew in person, tell the DMV staff about the address change and bring proof of residency at your new address. Your new license will be mailed to your new address.