Yes, you can renew your Colorado license online if you meet the requirements
Colorado lets you renew your driver's license online through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website, but only if your license is still valid or expired for less than one year. You cannot renew online if you need to change your address, update your photo, correct your name, or if your license has been suspended or revoked. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $28.25, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If you do not meet the online requirements, you will need to renew in person at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office instead. In-person renewal gives you the option to get a Real ID-compliant license, which you cannot do online.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license is currently valid or expired for less than one year, and you do not need to change your address, photo, or name.
- Online renewal costs $28.25 and takes about 10 minutes; your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- You will need your current Colorado license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method to complete the online process.
- If you need a Real ID-compliant license or must update your personal information, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
- Colorado's online renewal system is available 24 hours a day, but you should renew at least two weeks before your license expires to may support it arrives on time.
Who can renew online and who cannot
Colorado's online renewal system is open to drivers whose license is not yet expired or expired for 12 months or less. If your license expired more than a year ago, you cannot use the online system and must visit a DMV office in person.
You also cannot renew online if any of the following explore: you need to change your mailing address, you want to update your photo, you need to correct your name or other personal information, your license has been suspended or revoked, or you are renewing for the first time after moving to Colorado. In any of these cases, you must go to a DMV office.
If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, you can check your license status on the Colorado Department of Revenue website before you attempt to renew online. This takes less than a minute and tells you whether the online option is available to you.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather these items before you begin: your current Colorado driver's license (you will need the license number), the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for the $28.25 renewal fee.
You will also need an email address where you can receive your confirmation. Colorado will send you a receipt and tracking information to this address, so use one you check regularly. If you do not have an email address, you will need to renew in person at a DMV office instead.
The step-by-step online renewal process
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's online renewal portal at dmv.colorado.gov. Look for the "Renew Your Driver's License" option on the homepage. Click it and select "Renew Online."
Enter your Colorado driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm that everything is correct. Review your name, date of birth, address, and other details carefully. If anything is wrong, stop here and renew in person instead, because you cannot make changes online.
Once you confirm your information is correct, you will be asked to review the renewal terms and certify that you still meet Colorado's driving requirements (for example, that you have not been convicted of certain offenses). Check the box to agree and proceed to payment. Enter your credit or debit card information and submit your payment. You will receive a confirmation number when ready and an email receipt within a few minutes.
When your new license will arrive
Colorado mails your new license to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete your online renewal. This timeline does not include weekends or state holidays, so plan accordingly if your current license is expiring soon.
You can continue to drive on your current license until it expires, even if your new one has not arrived yet. If your license expires before your new one arrives and you need to drive, you can print your confirmation email and carry it with your expired license as proof that you have renewed. Not all law enforcement officers will accept this, so it is safer to renew at least two weeks before your expiration date.
If your new license does not arrive within 12 business days, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-205-5600 to report it. They can check the status of your renewal and reissue your license if needed.
Real ID compliance and why you might need to renew in person instead
Colorado's online renewal system does not offer Real ID-compliant licenses. A Real ID is a federal standard that allows you to use your driver's license as identification for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. If your current license is already Real ID-compliant (it will have a gold star in the upper right corner), your new license will remain compliant when you renew online.
If your current license is not Real ID-compliant and you want to upgrade to one, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to bring additional documents to prove your identity and Colorado residency, such as a birth certificate and proof of address. Real ID renewal takes longer than standard renewal, but it is a one-time process that lasts the life of your license.
If you do not need Real ID compliance and your license is not yet expired or expired for less than a year, online renewal is faster and more convenient.
What to do if something goes wrong with your online renewal
If you receive an error message during the online renewal process, write down the error code and contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-205-5600. Their staff can tell you what went wrong and whether you can try again or need to renew in person. Do not attempt to renew online multiple times in a row, as this can lock your account temporarily.
If you completed your online renewal but did not receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes, check your spam folder first. If it is not there, call the Department of Revenue with your confirmation number (if you received one on screen) or your driver's license number. They can confirm whether your payment went through and your renewal was processed.
If you realize after submitting your renewal that you made a mistake — for example, you entered the wrong address — you cannot cancel the online renewal. You will need to wait for your new license to arrive, then visit a DMV office to make the correction. This will require another renewal transaction, so it is worth double-checking everything before you submit payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license online if it expired more than a year ago?
No. Colorado's online renewal system only works for licenses that are currently valid or expired for 12 months or less. If your license expired more than a year ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You may also need to pass a written test or eye exam depending on how long ago it expired.
What happens if I move to a new address before my renewed license arrives?
Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue with your confirmation number and new address. They can update your mailing address so your license is sent to the correct location. If you do not update it and your license is mailed to your old address, you can pick it up there or request a reissue to your new address.
Can I renew online if my license has been suspended?
No. You cannot renew online if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a DMV office in person and resolve the suspension before you can renew. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue to find out why your license is suspended and what steps you need to take.
Is my new license valid for driving as soon as I complete the online renewal?
Your current license remains valid until it expires. You can continue to drive on it while you wait for your new license to arrive. Once your new license arrives, it is valid when ready. You do not need to set up it or take any additional steps.
Can I change my name or address during online renewal?
No. Online renewal only lets you renew your current license as-is. If you need to change your name, address, or any other personal information, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring documents that support the change, such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a utility bill for an address change.