Colorado lets you renew online if your license is not suspended and you meet a few other conditions
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 no more than one year ago, you have no medical holds, and your address on file is current. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $28.75 for a five-year renewal, and you'll receive your new card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Not everyone can use the online route. If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired more than a year ago, you must renew in person at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office. The same applies if you need to change your address, add a Real ID star, or update your photo.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your current license is valid or expired less than 12 months ago and has no suspension or medical hold.
- 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 complete the transaction online.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.
- If you need a Real ID star, a photo update, or an address change, you cannot renew online and must visit a DMV office in person.
- The online renewal fee is $28.75 for a five-year license; Colorado does not offer online renewal for commercial driver's licenses.
Who can renew online and who cannot
Colorado's online renewal system is open to drivers whose licenses fall into a narrow set of circumstances. Your license must be currently valid or expired no more than 12 months ago. If it expired more than a year ago, the state treats it as a new process, not a renewal, and you must go to a DMV office.
You also cannot have any suspension, revocation, or medical hold on your driving record. The online system checks this automatically when you start the process. If a hold exists, the system will tell you and direct you to the nearest DMV office. Drivers with commercial licenses (CDL) cannot renew online under any circumstance; they must renew in person.
Your address on file with the Colorado DMV must match where you currently live. If you've moved and haven't updated your address yet, you'll need to do that in person before you can renew online, or you can update it as part of an in-person renewal.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you log into the Colorado DMV website. You'll need your current Colorado driver's license number, which appears on the front of your card. You'll also need the last four digits of your Social Security number. Have a valid payment method ready—Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Make sure your email address is current and accessible. Colorado will send a confirmation email after you complete the renewal, and you may need to reference it if questions arise about your order. If your address on file is incorrect, stop and update it in person before attempting to renew online.
The online renewal process step by step
Start at the Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Motor Vehicles website. Look for the "Renew Your License" or "Online Services" section. You'll be asked to enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.
Next, review the information the system displays: your name, date of birth, address, and current license expiration date. If anything is wrong, stop and contact the DMV before proceeding. Correct information now prevents delays later. Once you confirm everything is accurate, you'll answer a few questions about your medical history and whether your license has been suspended or revoked anywhere.
Then you'll pay the $28.75 renewal fee using your credit or debit card. Colorado does not accept checks, money orders, or cash online. After payment processes, you'll receive a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens after you renew online
Your current license remains valid while you wait for the new one to arrive. You can continue driving, and you don't need to carry any confirmation paperwork. When your new license arrives in the mail, it will have a new expiration date five years from the date you renewed.
If your new license doesn't arrive within 10 business days, contact the Colorado DMV with your confirmation number. Keep that number until the card is in your hands. If the card arrives damaged or with errors, you can request a replacement at a DMV office or by mail.
When you must renew in person instead
You cannot use online renewal if you need a Real ID star on your license. Colorado's Real ID program requires in-person verification of your identity and proof of residency. You'll need to bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (like a Social Security card or tax return), proof of your current address (like a utility bill or lease), and proof of your legal name if it has changed.
In-person renewal is also required if you want to update your photo, change your name, add or remove a restriction code, or correct any information on your license. If your license has been suspended or revoked, you must visit a DMV office to understand the reason and what steps are needed to restore your driving privileges.
Drivers who have not renewed in more than five years may also be required to renew in person, depending on when their last renewal occurred. Check the Colorado DMV website or call your local office if you're unsure whether you can renew online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than a year ago?
No. Colorado treats licenses expired more than 12 months as new applications, not renewals. You must visit a DMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
What if I move before my new license arrives?
Contact the Colorado DMV with your confirmation number and provide your new address. They can redirect your license to the correct address. If the card is already in the mail, it may be returned to the DMV, and you'll need to pick it up or request it be remailed.
Do I need a Real ID star, and can I add it online?
A Real ID star is optional in Colorado. You cannot add it during online renewal. If you want the star, renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your Social Security number, current address, and legal name. The star costs no extra but requires in-person verification.
What if the online system says I have a hold on my license?
A hold usually means a suspension, revocation, or medical restriction is on your record. You cannot renew online. Visit a DMV office to find out why the hold exists and what you need to do to clear it before you can renew.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?
No. Colorado does not offer online renewal for commercial licenses. You must renew a CDL in person at a DMV office and pass a written test and medical examination if required.