Renewing Your Colorado License: The Basic Steps
You can renew your Colorado driver license online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Most people renew online through the Colorado DMV website, which takes about 15 minutes and costs $28.75 for a five-year license. You do not need to take a new written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than one year, you are over 61, or the DMV asks you to.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. You can start the renewal process up to one year before the expiration date. If you wait until after your license expires, you can still renew, but you lose the convenience of online renewal and may face additional requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website is the fastest option and works if your license has been valid for the past five years and is not expired by more than one year.
- You will need your current Colorado driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your renewal notice and payment; in-person renewal at a DMV office is when ready but requires an appointment.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person and may need to pass a written test and vision screening.
- Colorado licenses are valid for five years from the date of renewal, and you can begin the renewal process up to one year before expiration.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Route
Online renewal is available if your current Colorado license is still valid (not expired) and has been valid for the past five years. Go to the Colorado DMV website, select "Renew Driver License," and enter your driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and ask you to confirm your address and other information.
You will pay $28.75 by credit card or debit card. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If your address has changed, you can update it during the online renewal process.
Online renewal is not available if your license has expired, if you need to change your name or address to match a new legal document, or if the DMV has flagged your record for any reason. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail Renewal: When You Cannot Go Online
Mail renewal works if your license is expired or if you prefer not to renew online. You should receive a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a prepaid envelope and instructions. Fill out the form, include your current license (or a copy of it), and mail it back with payment.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your packet. You can continue to drive on your expired license while your renewal is being processed, as long as you have proof that you mailed in your renewal (keep a copy of the envelope or receipt). If you do not receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 or visiting a local office.
The cost is the same as online renewal: $28.75 for a five-year license. If you need your new license faster, do not use mail renewal; go in person instead.
In-Person Renewal at a DMV Office
You can renew in person at any Colorado DMV office. Bring your current driver license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days), and payment. You will need to schedule an appointment through the Colorado DMV website; walk-ins are not accepted at most locations.
In-person renewal takes about 15 minutes once you are called. You will have your photo taken and your vision checked. Your new license is printed on the spot, and you can drive away with it when ready. This is the only option if your license has been expired for more than one year, because the DMV will require you to pass a written test and vision screening before issuing a new license.
The cost is $28.75. To find a DMV office near you and book an appointment, visit the Colorado DMV website and use the office locator tool.
What Happens If Your License Has Been Expired for More Than One Year
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a DMV office in person. The DMV will require you to pass a written test on Colorado traffic laws and road signs, pass a vision screening, and have your photo taken. You will also need to bring proof of your current address.
The written test is the same test new drivers take. You can study using the Colorado Driver Handbook, which is available free on the DMV website. You get three chances to pass; if you fail, you can retake the test the same day or come back another day. Once you pass, your new license is issued when ready.
The cost remains $28.75. Schedule an appointment at a DMV office before you go; you will need to allow extra time for the test and vision screening.
Renewing If You Are Over 61
If you are 61 or older, the DMV may require you to renew in person instead of online or by mail, depending on your age and when you last renewed. Drivers 61 and older can renew for a shorter period — typically two or three years instead of five — which means you will renew more often.
When you renew in person, you will have your vision checked and your photo taken. You do not have to take a written test unless your license has been expired for more than one year. The cost is lower for a shorter-term license; a two-year license costs less than a five-year license.
Check your renewal notice to see whether you are required to renew in person. If you are unsure, call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600.
Changing Your Name or Address During Renewal
If you have changed your name or address since your last license was issued, you can update both during renewal. For a name change, you will need to bring legal proof of the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. For an address change, bring proof of your current address dated within the past 60 days.
If you are renewing online, you can update your address during the process. If you are renewing by mail or in person, include the legal documents with your process. If you need to change your name, you must renew in person; mail and online renewal do not allow name changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I do not have a Social Security number?
Yes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot renew online, but you can renew by mail or in person. Bring your current license and proof of your current address to a DMV office, or mail in your renewal notice with your current license and payment.
What if my license was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must contact the Colorado DMV to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. Call 303-205-5600 or visit a DMV office for details.
How long does my new Colorado license take to arrive if I renew online?
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need your license sooner, renew in person at a DMV office instead.
Do I need to take a vision test when I renew?
If you renew in person, yes — you will have a vision screening. If you renew online or by mail, you do not have a vision test unless the DMV asks you to come in for one. If you fail the vision screening in person, the DMV may issue a license with restrictions or ask you to see an eye doctor.
What if I move out of Colorado after I renew?
Your Colorado license remains valid for the full five years, even if you move to another state. However, if you become a resident of another state, you should obtain a license from that state. You do not have to surrender your Colorado license, but you should not carry both active licenses.