How to Renew Your Colorado Driver's License

Colorado driver's license renewal in person or by mail

You can renew your Colorado driver's license by mail if you meet certain conditions, or you must go in person to a Department of Motor Vehicles office. The mail route is faster and requires no appointment — you fill out the form, include your current license and payment, and mail it to the address on the form. The in-person route takes longer because you need an appointment, but it's required if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you've changed your name, or if you need to update your address or other information on the license itself.

Colorado does not allow online renewal. You must choose between mail and in-person, and the choice depends on how long your license has been expired and what information needs to change.

Key Takeaways

Mail renewal works only if your license expired less than one year ago and you don't need to change your name, address, or other details on the card.
In-person renewal requires an appointment booked through the Colorado DMV website, and wait times for appointments vary by location and season.
You will need your current driver's license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment by check or money order for mail renewal.
In-person renewal requires the same documents plus a Real ID-compliant document if you want a Real ID license, which is now required for federal air travel.
Colorado charges different fees for standard and Real ID licenses, and the Real ID license lasts eight years instead of five.

Mail renewal: documents and timeline

To renew by mail, you need your current Colorado driver's license, a completed process for Renewal of Driver's License form (DR 2471), and payment. You can read the form from the Colorado DMV website or request it by mail. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — as of 2024, a standard five-year license costs $28.25 and a Real ID license costs $48.25. Mail everything to the address listed on the form, which is a processing center in Denver.

Mail renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. You should not expect to receive your new license on a specific date. If you need your license by a certain day — for travel, for work, or because your current one is about to expire — do not use mail renewal. The DMV does not offer expedited mail processing.

You cannot renew by mail if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need to change your name, if you want to change your address on the license, or if you are renewing a Real ID license for the first time. In any of those cases, you must go in person.

In-person renewal: booking and what to bring

To renew in person, you must book an appointment through the Colorado DMV website. Walk-ins are not accepted at any DMV office. Go to the DMV's appointment system, select your county and the office closest to you, and choose an available date and time. Appointment availability varies widely — some offices have openings within a week, while others may show no availability for several weeks. If your preferred location is full, check nearby counties; you can renew at any Colorado DMV office regardless of where you live.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of residence (a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail with your current address dated within the last 60 days), and payment. If you are renewing a standard license, you can pay by debit card, credit card, or cash at the office. If you want a Real ID license, you must also bring a document that proves your identity and citizenship — a U.S. passport, passport card, birth certificate with a government-issued ID, or naturalization papers. The Real ID document must be an original or certified copy, not a photocopy.

The appointment itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will have your photo taken, answer a few questions, and pay the fee. Your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks.

Real ID versus standard license: what's the difference

A Real ID license is a driver's license that meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. As of May 2025, you need a Real ID license to board a domestic airplane or enter a federal building. If you don't have a Real ID license and you fly, you will need to show a passport or passport card instead.

A Real ID license costs $20 more than a standard license and lasts eight years instead of five. You can tell a Real ID license by a small star in the upper right corner of the card. If your current license does not have that star and you want one, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship. You cannot upgrade to Real ID by mail.

If you renew by mail and your current license is a standard license, your new license will also be standard. If you renew in person and bring the required Real ID documents, you can choose whether to get a Real ID or standard license — the DMV will ask you at the appointment.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than a year

If your Colorado driver's license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it. You must explore for a new license instead, which requires an in-person appointment and the same documents as renewal plus a vision test and written knowledge test. The written test covers Colorado traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the Colorado DMV's online manual and practice tests on their website.

A new license costs the same as a renewal ($28.25 for standard, $48.25 for Real ID), but the process takes longer because of the testing. Book your appointment as soon as possible, because testing appointments fill up faster than renewal appointments in most areas.

Changing your name or address during renewal

If you have changed your name since your license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you cannot renew by mail. You must go in person and bring a document that proves the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your license to reflect your new name.

If you have moved and want to update your address on your license, you also must renew in person. Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You cannot change your address by mail renewal. If you renew by mail without updating your address, your new license will show your old address, and you will need to visit a DMV office later to correct it.

Fees and payment methods

Colorado charges $28.25 for a five-year standard driver's license and $48.25 for an eight-year Real ID license. These fees are set by state law and do not vary by location or DMV office. For mail renewal, you must pay by check or money order. For in-person renewal, you can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card. The DMV does not accept payment plans or partial payments.

If you are renewing a license that was suspended or revoked, you may owe reinstatement fees in addition to the renewal fee. Contact the Colorado DMV directly to find out what you owe before you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado license if it's been suspended or revoked?

No. You must first clear the suspension or revocation by paying any fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the DMV. Contact the Colorado DMV to find out what you need to do. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew normally.

What if I don't have proof of residence?

You must bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and current address. If you don't have a utility bill, lease, or bank statement, you can bring government mail (tax return, voter registration card, or benefit statement). If you have none of these, contact the DMV before your appointment to ask what other documents they accept.

How long does it take to get my new license after my appointment?

The DMV mails your new license within two to three weeks of your appointment. You should not expect it on a specific date. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at your appointment, which is valid for 30 days.

Do I need to take a vision test to renew my license?

If you are renewing (not explore for a new license), you do not take a vision test at the DMV. However, you must certify that you can see well enough to drive safely. If the DMV has reason to believe your vision has changed, they may require a vision test.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not change the expiration date of your new license — it will still expire five or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.