Where to renew your Denver driver's license
In Denver, you renew your driver's license through the Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You have three main options: renew in person at a DMV office, renew by mail if you meet certain conditions, or renew online through the state's website.
The fastest route for most people is online renewal through the Colorado DMV website, which takes about 10 minutes and you can do from home. If you cannot renew online — because your license is expired by more than five years, or you need to update your address or other information — you will need to visit a DMV office in person or mail in your renewal process.
Denver has two DMV locations: one on South Santa Fe Drive and one on North Speer Boulevard. Both handle renewals, but wait times vary by location and time of day. The DMV website shows current wait times before you go.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado allows online renewal for most drivers whose licenses expired within the last five years, and the process takes about 10 minutes.
- If you renew online, you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- In-person renewal at a Denver DMV office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to change your address, name, or other information.
- Mail-in renewal is available but slower than online; you must submit your process, payment, and required documents by mail and wait 2 to 3 weeks for processing.
- Your Colorado driver's license is valid for five years from the issue date, and you can renew up to six months before expiration.
Online renewal: the fastest option for most drivers
Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website is the quickest path if your license has not been expired for more than five years. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The entire process takes about 10 minutes.
When you renew online, you confirm that your information has not changed and pay the renewal fee. Colorado charges $28 for a five-year renewal. 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.
Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your address or other personal information, or if you have any holds or flags on your driving record. In those cases, you must renew in person or by mail.
In-person renewal at a Denver DMV office
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit one of Denver's two DMV offices in person. Bring your current driver's license, proof of Colorado residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the renewal fee. If you are changing your address or name, bring the document that supports that change — a lease, deed, or marriage certificate.
The DMV office on South Santa Fe Drive is located at 140 West 6th Avenue, and the office on North Speer Boulevard is at 1881 Pierce Street. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wait times are typically shorter on weekday mornings and longer on Friday afternoons and Saturdays.
When you renew in person, you will have your photo taken and receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The renewal fee is $28 for a five-year license.
Mail-in renewal and what documents you need
Mail-in renewal is an option if you prefer not to go online or visit an office in person. You will need to complete the process for Renewal of Driver's License (Form DL-44), which you can read from the Colorado DMV website or request by mail. Include your current license, proof of Colorado residency, and a check or money order for $28 payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Mail your completed process and documents to the Colorado DMV at the address listed on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the DMV receives your process, plus mail time in both directions. Your new license will arrive by mail once processing is complete.
Mail-in renewal is slower than online or in-person renewal, but it works if you live outside Denver or prefer to handle everything by post. You can continue to drive on your current license while your process is being processed.
What happens if your license has expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail without taking a new written test or road test. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and you will need to pass the written test and vision screening. You may also be required to take a road test, depending on how long your license has been expired.
If your license expired more than five years ago, bring the same documents you would for a standard in-person renewal, plus any documents required for a new license (such as proof of Social Security number). The DMV staff will tell you whether you need to take the written test and road test when you arrive.
Driving on an expired license is against Colorado law. If your license is expired, do not drive until you have renewed it.
Changing your address or other information during renewal
If you have moved since your license was issued, you must update your address when you renew. You cannot do this online; you must renew in person at a Denver DMV office or by mail. Bring proof of your new Colorado address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
If you are changing your name, bring the document that supports the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are updating your sex or gender marker, bring a signed statement from a licensed healthcare provider confirming your gender identity, or a court order.
The renewal fee remains $28 even if you are making changes to your information. Processing takes the same amount of time as a standard renewal: 7 to 10 business days if you renew in person, or 2 to 3 weeks if you renew by mail.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A five-year driver's license renewal in Colorado costs $28. This fee is the same whether you renew online, in person, or by mail. If you renew in person, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. If you renew online, you must pay with a debit or credit card. If you renew by mail, you must pay with a check or money order.
Some Denver DMV offices may accept additional payment methods; call ahead to confirm. The DMV does not accept payment plans or installments — the full fee is due at the time of renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. Colorado allows you to renew your driver's license up to six months before the expiration date. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license; it will still be valid for five years from the issue date. This is useful if you are planning to travel or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date.
How long does it take to get my license after I renew?
If you renew online or in person, your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, add 1 to 2 weeks for mail delivery time in both directions, so expect 2 to 3 weeks total. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it online. You must go to a Denver DMV office in person to report the loss and request a replacement. Bring proof of identity and Colorado residency. The replacement fee is $20, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and a permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, your current photo is used and you do not need a new one. If you renew in person at a DMV office, you will have a new photo taken. You can request a new photo during an online or mail renewal by visiting a DMV office in person and paying a $5 photo fee.
What if I have a commercial driver's license?
Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) in Colorado renew differently than standard licenses. You must renew a CDL in person at a DMV office and pass a medical examination. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, and your medical certificate. The renewal fee is $28 for a five-year CDL.