What You Need to Know About Colorado License Renewal
Colorado allows you to renew your driver's license in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles office, by mail, or online through the Colorado DMV website — but not all renewal types work with every method. A standard renewal (no address change, no corrections to your record) can often be done online or by mail. If you need to update your address, correct information on your license, or renew after a suspension or medical hold, you must go to a DMV office in person.
Your Colorado license is valid for five years from the date of issue. The DMV will send you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. You do not have to wait for that notice to renew — you can renew up to one year before expiration. Renewing early does not extend your five-year validity period; your new expiration date is still five years from the date you renew.
The renewal fee in Colorado is $28.50 for a standard five-year license. If you renew online or by mail, you pay by credit card or debit card. If you renew in person, the DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mail renewal work only for straightforward renewals with no address changes or record corrections; any other situation requires an in-person visit to a DMV office.
- Colorado licenses are valid for five years, and you can renew up to one year before expiration without losing validity time.
- The renewal fee is $28.50, payable by card online or by mail, or by cash, check, or card in person.
- If you renew online, you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days; mail-in renewals take 2 to 3 weeks.
- You must bring your current Colorado license or ID and proof of residency if you renew in person and need to update your address.
Online Renewal Through the Colorado DMV Website
The fastest way to renew is online at the Colorado DMV website (dmv.colorado.gov). You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card. The online system will verify your identity using information from your DMV record.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes. After you submit your process and payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is not available if you have changed your address, if your name has changed since your last license was issued, if you need to correct any information on your license, or if your license has been suspended or revoked. In any of those cases, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Mail-In Renewal
You can also renew by mail if your renewal is straightforward. Request a renewal process form from the Colorado DMV by calling 303-205-5600 or by visiting dmv.colorado.gov and downloading the form. Fill out the process completely, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $28.50 to the address listed on the form.
Mail-in renewals take 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. You can continue to drive on your current license during this time. Like online renewal, mail-in renewal does not work if you need to change your address, correct information, or if your license has been suspended.
Keep a copy of your process and payment confirmation for your records. If your renewal does not arrive within four weeks, contact the DMV at 303-205-5600 to check the status.
In-Person Renewal at a DMV Office
Visit a Colorado DMV office if you are renewing after a suspension, if you need to change your address, if your name has changed, or if you need to correct information on your license. You can also renew in person if you straightforward prefer to do so.
Bring your current Colorado driver's license or ID card. If you are changing your address, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document showing the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
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. Appointments typically reduce your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes. Your new license is issued on the spot and is valid when ready.
What Happens If Your License Has Expired
If your Colorado license has been expired for less than one year, you can renew it using the same methods as a standard renewal — online, by mail, or in person. The fee remains $28.50.
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew; you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit to a DMV office, a written test, a driving test, and a new photo. The fee for a new license is higher than a renewal fee. Bring your Social Security card, proof of residency, and proof of legal presence in the United States.
Documents You Need for Each Renewal Method
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Current Colorado license number, date of birth, valid credit or debit card | 7 to 10 business days |
| Completed process form, check or money order for $28.50 | 2 to 3 weeks | |
| In Person | Current Colorado license or ID; proof of address if changing address; name-change document if applicable | when ready (license issued on the spot) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not assume you can renew online or by mail if your address has changed. The DMV system will reject your process if the address on file does not match your current residence. Update your address in person at a DMV office, even if it means a separate trip.
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Colorado, even if you have already submitted a renewal process. Renew at least two weeks before expiration to may support your new license arrives in time.
Do not send cash by mail. The DMV does not accept cash through the mail and will return your process. Use a check or money order instead.
If you are renewing in person and your name has changed, bring the original or certified copy of the document proving the change. A photocopy is not accepted. The DMV will not process your renewal without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I no longer live in Colorado?
No. Colorado requires you to be a resident to hold a Colorado driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a license from your new state. If you still live in Colorado but have moved to a new address, you can renew in person and update your address at the same time.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You cannot renew online or by mail without your current license number. Visit a DMV office in person with proof of identity (passport, state ID, or birth certificate) and proof of residency. The DMV will look up your record and issue a replacement license. The fee is $28.50 for a standard renewal.
How long is my Colorado license valid after I renew it?
Your renewed license is valid for five years from the date you renew it, not from the date your old license expired. If you renew early, you do not gain extra time — your expiration date is still five years out from the renewal date.
Can I renew my license if it was suspended?
No. You cannot renew a suspended license. You must first resolve the suspension with the Colorado DMV. Contact the DMV at 303-205-5600 to find out what is required to lift the suspension, then renew once it has been cleared.
What if my renewal process is rejected?
If you renew online or by mail and your process is rejected, the DMV will mail you a notice explaining why. Common reasons include a name mismatch, an address change, or a hold on your record. Follow the instructions in the notice, which usually directs you to visit a DMV office in person to complete the renewal.