What You Can and Cannot Do Online in Colorado
Colorado lets you renew your driver license online if you meet specific conditions. You can renew online only if your license is not expired, you have no medical or vision restrictions that changed, and you are not changing your address, name, or other personal information. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.25 for a four-year license or $56.50 for an eight-year license.
You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, if you need to add or remove restrictions, if you are changing your address or legal name, or if you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL). You also cannot renew online if you are under 21 or if your vision or medical status has changed since your last renewal. In those cases, you must visit a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person.
The online system is run by the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles. You access it through the official Colorado DMV website at dmv.colorado.gov. No third-party service can complete this renewal for you.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your current license is valid (not expired), your personal information has not changed, and you have no new medical or vision restrictions.
- The online renewal fee is $28.25 for a four-year license or $56.50 for an eight-year license, paid by debit or credit card at the time of renewal.
- Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online process.
- You will need your current Colorado driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start the online renewal.
- If you cannot renew online, you must schedule an appointment at a local DMV office through the Colorado DMV website.
Step-by-Step Process for Online Renewal
Start by going to dmv.colorado.gov and clicking the link for "Renew Your Driver License Online." You will be taken to a find portal where you enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current license record and confirm your personal information.
Review all the information on the screen carefully. Your name, address, date of birth, and license class must match your current license exactly. If anything is wrong, stop and contact the DMV by phone at 303-205-5600 before proceeding. Making changes online is not possible; you will need to visit an office in person.
Once you confirm your information is correct, you will be asked to choose your license term: four years or eight years. Select the term you want and review the fee. Then enter your payment information. Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Your card will be charged when ready.
After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number on the screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.
Documents and Information You Need Before Starting
Gather these items before you begin the online renewal. You need your current Colorado driver license (to read the license number and verify it matches your records), your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You also need a valid payment method: a debit card or credit card in your name.
Make sure the address on file with the DMV is correct and current. Your renewed license will be mailed to this address. If you have moved since your last renewal and have not updated your address with the DMV, you cannot renew online. You must visit an office in person to change your address first.
Check that your name and date of birth match exactly what is on your current license. If you have changed your legal name since your license was issued, you cannot renew online. You will need to visit a DMV office with a certified copy of your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
Timeline and When Your New License Arrives
The online renewal itself takes about 10 minutes to complete. Once you submit your payment, the transaction is processed when ready and you receive a confirmation number. This does not mean your license is ready; it means your renewal request has been received.
Your physical license card will be printed and mailed within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online renewal. This timeline does not include weekends or state holidays. If you do not receive your license within 12 business days, contact the DMV at 303-205-5600 with your confirmation number.
You can continue to use your old license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Your old license remains valid until it expires or until your new license arrives, whichever comes first. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and your old one has expired, you will need to visit a DMV office to get a temporary paper license.
Common Reasons Your Online Renewal Will Be Rejected
The system will reject your renewal if your license has already expired. Colorado does not allow online renewal of expired licenses. If your license expired more than one year ago, you may need to retake the written test and vision test in person. If it expired less than one year ago, you can still renew in person at a DMV office without retesting.
Your renewal will also be rejected if your personal information does not match what is in the DMV database. This includes your name, date of birth, and address. If the system cannot find a match, double-check that you entered your information correctly. If you are certain the information is correct but the system still rejects it, call the DMV at 303-205-5600 to verify your record before trying again.
If you have medical restrictions, vision restrictions, or any notation on your license that has changed, you cannot renew online. The same applies if you are changing your address, legal name, or license class. In all these cases, you must schedule an in-person appointment at a DMV office.
What to Do If You Cannot Renew Online
If the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access to renew online, or if you prefer to renew in person, you can schedule an appointment at a Colorado DMV office. Go to dmv.colorado.gov and click "Schedule an Appointment." Select the service "Driver License Renewal" and choose the office location and date that works for you.
Appointments are usually available within two to four weeks, depending on the office and the time of year. You can also walk in to a DMV office without an appointment, but wait times are often longer. Bring your current driver license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number or card.
If you are renewing in person because your address changed, bring proof of your new address. If you are renewing because your name changed, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The DMV office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. Your new license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
Fees and Payment Methods
The online renewal fee is $28.25 for a four-year license or $56.50 for an eight-year license. These are the only fees charged for a standard driver license renewal. There are no additional processing fees or service charges when you renew online.
Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for online payment. You cannot pay by check, cash, or money order online. Your card will be charged when ready when you submit your renewal. If your payment is declined, the renewal will not be processed and you will need to try again with a different card or contact your bank to resolve the issue.
If you renew in person at a DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The fee is the same whether you renew online or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license online if it expired last month?
No. Colorado does not allow online renewal of expired licenses. You must renew in person at a DMV office. If your license expired less than one year ago, you can renew without retaking the written and vision tests. If it expired more than one year ago, you will need to retake both tests.
How do I know if my address is correct in the DMV system?
When you start the online renewal, the system will display the address on file. Review it carefully. If it is wrong, stop and do not proceed. You cannot change your address online. Visit a DMV office in person with proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) to update it before renewing.
What if I do not receive my new license within 12 business days?
Contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 with your confirmation number. Have your old license and the email confirmation ready. The DMV can track your renewal and tell you the status. If there is a problem, they can reissue your license or issue a temporary paper license if you need to drive when ready.
Can I change my address or name when I renew online?
No. You cannot change your address, legal name, or any personal information through the online renewal system. If you need to make any changes, you must visit a DMV office in person. You can schedule an appointment at dmv.colorado.gov under "Schedule an Appointment."
What happens if my payment is declined during online renewal?
The renewal will not be processed and you will see an error message. Check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are entered correctly. If the problem continues, contact your bank to make sure the card is not blocked for online transactions. You can then try again with the same card or use a different card.