Colorado lets you renew online if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you're not changing your address or name

You can renew your Colorado driver's license online through the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website if you meet certain conditions. Your license must not be suspended or revoked, you cannot have medical restrictions that need updating, and you must be keeping the same address and name. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $28.75 for a five-year renewal, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

If your license is suspended, you have medical conditions to report, or you're changing your address or legal name, you must renew in person at a Colorado DMV office instead. The same applies if your license has been expired for more than five years.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado's online renewal works only for standard license renewals with no changes to your address, name, or medical status.
  • You'll need your current Colorado driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
  • The fee is $28.75 for a five-year renewal, paid by debit or credit card during the online process.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until it arrives.
  • If your license is suspended, expired for more than five years, or you need to update medical information or your address, you must visit a DMV office in person.

What you need before you start the online renewal

Have your current Colorado driver's license in front of you. You'll enter your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. The DMV uses these two pieces of information to pull up your record and confirm you're may be able to access for online renewal.

You'll also need a valid debit or credit card to pay the $28.75 renewal fee. The DMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Have the card ready before you begin, because you'll enter the payment information as part of the same transaction.

Step-by-step: completing your renewal on the Colorado DMV website

Go to the Colorado DMV website and look for the "Online Services" section. Select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the menu. You'll be taken to a page that asks you to confirm you meet the renewal conditions — no suspension, no address change, no name change, and no new medical restrictions.

Enter your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and display the information on file. Review it carefully to make sure the name, address, and date of birth are correct. If anything is wrong, stop and visit a DMV office instead, because the online system cannot fix errors in your record.

Confirm that you want to renew for five years (the standard term in Colorado). Review the fee of $28.75 and enter your payment information. After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot — you may need it if you have questions about your renewal.

How long it takes and what happens next

The Colorado DMV processes online renewals within one to two business days. Your new license is then printed and mailed to the address on file. Expect to receive it within 7 to 10 business days from the date you submit your renewal online.

You can continue driving on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Your current license remains valid until its expiration date, even after you've renewed online. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or return it to a DMV office if you prefer.

When you cannot renew online and must visit a DMV office

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew online. You must visit a Colorado DMV office and resolve the suspension before you can get a new license. The same applies if your license has been expired for more than five years — the online system will reject your renewal request, and you'll need to renew in person.

If you're changing your legal name, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you're moving to a new address in Colorado, you can update your address at a DMV office during renewal, or you can change your address separately online through the DMV's address-change service and then renew your license online.

Medical restrictions also require an in-person visit. If you have a new medical condition, need to update existing restrictions, or want to remove restrictions, you must go to a DMV office and may need to provide a medical form signed by your doctor.

What to do if the online renewal system rejects your request

If you try to renew online and the system tells you that you're not may be able to access, it means one of the conditions for online renewal is not met. The most common reasons are a suspension on your record, an expired license (more than five years old), or a mismatch between the information you entered and what's in the DMV database.

Double-check that you entered your license number and Social Security number correctly — a single digit wrong will cause the system to reject you. If you're certain the information is correct and the system still rejects you, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to find out why you're not may be able to access. They can tell you whether you have a suspension, whether your license is too old to renew online, or whether there's an error in your record that needs to be fixed before you can proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado license online if it's already expired?

You can renew online if your license expired within the last five years. If it's been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The online system will reject your request if your license is too old.

What if I'm moving out of Colorado — can I still renew online?

No. If you're moving to another state, you cannot renew your Colorado license online. You'll need to get a driver's license in your new state instead. If you're moving within Colorado, update your address first (online or at a DMV office) and then renew your license online.

Do I need to take a new photo for an online renewal?

No. The Colorado DMV uses your existing photo from your current license for online renewals. You only get a new photo if you renew in person at a DMV office.

What if my payment fails during the online renewal?

If your card is declined or the payment doesn't go through, the system will tell you when ready and will not process your renewal. Try again with the same card or use a different card. If the problem continues, contact your bank to make sure the card is not blocked, then try the renewal again.

Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver's license (CDL)?

No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a Colorado DMV office. The online renewal system is for standard Class D licenses only.