What you need to renew your Colorado driver's license
Colorado lets you renew your driver's license in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's portal. The method you use depends on whether your license is expired, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your address or other information.
If your license is not yet expired or expired less than one year ago, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If it expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person. You will also need to renew in person if you want to change your address, add a Real ID designation, or update your photo.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado offers online renewal for licenses expired less than one year, but you must go to a DMV office if your license has been expired for more than a year.
- Renewing by mail takes four to six weeks and requires sending your current license and a completed process to the DMV; online renewal is faster and shows results when ready.
- You will need proof of Colorado residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days) even if you are renewing an existing license.
- Real ID renewal requires an in-person visit and additional documents like a birth certificate or passport, and costs more than a standard license renewal.
- Your new license arrives by mail within two weeks of approval if you renew online or in person; mail-in renewals take longer because processing happens after the DMV receives your packet.
Renewing online through Colorado's DMV portal
The Colorado DMV online renewal system is the fastest option if your license expired less than one year ago. You log into the DMV's website, verify your identity using information from your driver's license record, pay the renewal fee (currently $28.25 for a five-year license), and receive confirmation when ready. Your new license is printed and mailed to your address on file within two weeks.
Online renewal does not let you change your address, add Real ID, or update your photo. If you need any of those changes, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You also cannot renew online if your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or if you have unpaid traffic fines or child support obligations on your record.
Renewing by mail
Mail-in renewal is an option if your license expired less than one year ago and you do not need to change your address or photo. You read and print the process for Renewal of Driver's License (Form DL-44) from the Colorado DMV website, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks after the DMV receives your packet.
Include a check or money order for the renewal fee; the DMV does not accept credit cards by mail. Write your driver's license number on the check. Mail your packet to the address on the form and keep a copy of everything you send. Your new license arrives by mail once the DMV approves your renewal.
Renewing in person at a Colorado DMV office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than one year ago, if you want to change your address or photo, or if you want to add Real ID status. Bring your current license (or expired license if you no longer have it), proof of Colorado residency dated within 60 days (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement), and payment for the renewal fee. If you are adding Real ID, bring your birth certificate or passport as well.
Walk-in appointments are available at most Colorado DMV offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. You can also schedule an appointment online through the DMV website, which often reduces your wait. The renewal takes about 15 minutes once you are called. Your new license is mailed to you within two weeks; you cannot take it with you the same day.
Real ID renewal and what it costs
Colorado's Real ID is a federally compliant driver's license that meets security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. You need Real ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If your current license does not have a gold star in the upper right corner, it is not Real ID.
Real ID renewal requires an in-person visit and costs $28.25 for a five-year license (the same as a standard renewal). You must bring your current license, proof of residency, and either a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or passport card. If you are renewing a non-Real ID license and want to add Real ID status, the fee remains the same. Real ID licenses are mailed to you within two weeks of your in-person appointment.
What happens if your license is expired more than one year
If your Colorado license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must visit a DMV office in person and complete a full renewal process. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment for the renewal fee. If your license has been expired for more than five years, the DMV may require you to retake the written driving test and vision test, depending on your age and the reason for the lapse.
Contact your local DMV office before you visit to confirm what documents they will need. Some offices have different requirements based on how long your license has been expired.
Proof of residency and what documents work
Colorado requires proof that you live in the state, dated within 60 days of your renewal. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, or a homeowners or renters insurance policy. The document must show your name and current Colorado address.
If you do not have a document in your name, you can bring a document in a spouse's or parent's name along with proof of your relationship (a marriage certificate or birth certificate). If you are homeless or living in temporary housing, contact your local DMV office to discuss alternative documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support obligation?
No. The DMV will not renew your license online or by mail if you have unpaid traffic fines or child support arrears on your record. You must resolve these issues first. Contact the court that issued the ticket or your local child support enforcement office to pay or set up a payment plan, then try renewing again.
What if I moved out of Colorado but still have a Colorado license?
You cannot renew a Colorado license if you no longer live in the state. You must get a driver's license from your new state instead. Contact your new state's DMV to learn what documents you need to transfer your license.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license is mailed within two weeks of approval. Delivery time depends on your address and the postal service, but most people receive it within three weeks of renewing online. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew by mail?
No. Mail-in renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
What is the renewal fee for a Colorado driver's license?
A five-year renewal costs $28.25. Colorado also offers eight-year licenses for $48.25 if you are 65 or older. Fees may change, so check the Colorado DMV website for current pricing before you renew.