Colorado lets you renew online if your license is not suspended and you meet a few basic requirements
You can renew your Colorado driver's license online through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website if your license is still valid or expired for fewer than five years, you have no suspensions or holds, and you have not had a name change since your last renewal. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $28.25 for a five-year renewal, and you'll receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license is suspended, you have an active hold, your name has changed, or your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew online — you'll need to visit a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office in person.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado's online renewal works only if your current license is valid or expired fewer than five years, with no suspensions or holds.
- You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method to complete the renewal.
- The renewal fee is $28.25 for a five-year license, and you pay by credit or debit card during the online process.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can drive legally with your old license until the new one arrives.
- If you have a suspension, hold, name change, or license expired over five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
What you need before you start the renewal
Gather your current Colorado driver's license and have it in front of you. You will need your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log into the renewal system. The state does not require you to upload documents or provide a new photo — the renewal uses your existing photo on file.
Have a valid credit or debit card ready to pay the $28.25 renewal fee. Colorado does not accept checks, cash, or PayPal for online renewals. If you do not have a card, you can renew in person at any DMV office and pay by cash, check, or card.
Step-by-step: completing the renewal online
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's online renewal portal at dmv.colorado.gov. Click on the "Renew Your Driver's License" link and select "Online Renewal." You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you the information on file.
Review the information displayed — your name, address, date of birth, and current photo. If any of this information is wrong, you cannot fix it online and must visit a DMV office in person. If everything is correct, proceed to the payment screen. Enter your credit or debit card details and confirm the $28.25 charge. You will receive a confirmation number by email and on screen.
Print or save your confirmation number. You do not need to do anything else. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, and you can continue driving with your current license until it arrives.
When you cannot renew online
If your Colorado driver's license has been suspended or revoked, the online system will reject your renewal. You must visit a DMV office, pay any outstanding fines or fees, and complete an in-person renewal. The same applies if you have an active hold on your license — this usually means unpaid traffic citations, child support obligations, or other court-ordered issues.
If your name has changed since your last renewal — through marriage, divorce, court order, or other legal means — you cannot renew online. You will need to visit a DMV office with proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will not recognize it as valid, and you must renew in person and may need to retake the written and vision tests.
What happens after you submit your renewal
The Colorado DMV processes online renewals in the order they are received. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to wait for the new license to arrive before driving — your current license remains valid until it expires, and you can legally drive with it while your new one is in the mail.
If you do not receive your new license within 10 business days, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 or check your account on the DMV website to confirm the renewal was processed. If there was an error during submission, the DMV will contact you by phone or email.
Renewing in person if online does not work for you
If you cannot renew online, you can visit any Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and any documents required for your situation — for example, a marriage certificate if your name has changed. You can also renew by mail by downloading the process from the DMV website, but mail renewal takes longer than in-person or online renewal.
Walk-in service is available at most DMV offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. You can also schedule an appointment online at dmv.colorado.gov to reduce your wait time. In-person renewal costs the same as online renewal — $28.25 for a five-year license — and you can pay by cash, check, or card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is expired?
Yes, if it expired fewer than five years ago. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and may need to retake the written and vision tests.
What if I moved and need to update my address?
You can update your address during the online renewal process. The system will ask you to confirm or change your address before you pay. If you need to change your address but do not want to renew your license yet, you can update it separately on the DMV website or in person at a DMV office.
Do I need a new photo for online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
The Colorado DMV mails new licenses within 7 to 10 business days of processing your renewal. Delivery time depends on your location and the postal service, so allow an extra few days for mail delivery.
What if my renewal is rejected online?
The system will tell you why — usually a suspension, hold, name change, or expired license. Contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 to find out what you need to do before you can renew, or visit a DMV office in person to complete your renewal.