Where to renew your license in Fort Collins

In Fort Collins, you renew your Colorado driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office located at 1716 East Mulberry Street. This is the only full-service location in the city where you can complete an in-person renewal. You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your situation — but the Mulberry Street office is where you go if you need to renew in person.

The Fort Collins DMV office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no Saturday or evening service. The office does not take appointments, so you should expect to wait. Arrival times vary by day and season; weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than afternoons.

If you live outside Fort Collins but within Larimer County, you can also use the Loveland DMV office at 200 West 29th Street in Loveland, about 20 minutes south. Both offices handle the same services and accept the same documents.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew in person at the Fort Collins DMV on East Mulberry Street, by mail through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or online through the Colorado DMV website if you meet the requirements.
  • In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes to an hour once you reach the counter, but wait times can add another 30 minutes to several hours depending on the day.
  • You need your current Colorado driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number to renew.
  • Colorado licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration or up to 60 days after expiration.
  • If your license has been expired for more than 60 days, you must take a written test and vision test in addition to the standard renewal process.

What documents you need to bring

For an in-person renewal at the Fort Collins DMV, bring your current Colorado driver's license and proof of residency. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your current address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number verbally or on the process form. You do not need to bring a Social Security card, but you must know the number. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

If you are renewing an expired license that has been expired for more than 60 days, you will also need to pass a vision test and a written test on Colorado traffic laws. The DMV will administer both on the spot. You do not need to study in advance for the written test if you have a current Colorado license; the questions cover basic road rules and are similar to the test new drivers take.

Online and mail renewal options

Colorado allows online renewal for some drivers. You can renew online through the Colorado DMV website if your license is not expired, you have not had any violations or suspensions in the past five years, and you do not need to change your address, name, or other information on the license. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as in-person renewal.

You can also renew by mail through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Mail renewal is slower — it typically takes two to three weeks — but it requires no visit to the DMV. You will need to fill out an process form, include a copy of your current license and proof of residency, and mail both to the address on the form. Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you meet the same conditions as online renewal.

If you do not meet the requirements for online or mail renewal, you must renew in person at the Fort Collins DMV office or the Loveland office.

Cost and how long renewal takes

A standard five-year Colorado driver's license renewal costs $28.25. If you are over 65, the renewal costs $8.25 for a five-year license. Payment is accepted in cash, debit, or credit card at the Fort Collins DMV office. Online and mail renewal use the same fees and accept payment by credit or debit card.

In-person renewal at the counter usually takes 30 minutes to an hour once you reach the front of the line. However, wait times at the Fort Collins office can range from 30 minutes on a quiet morning to two or three hours during peak times. Your new license is printed on the spot, and you can use it when ready for identification. The physical card is ready to take home the same day.

Online renewal is when ready — your new license is valid when ready after you complete the transaction, though the physical card arrives by mail within one to two weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your process.

When your license expires and renewal windows

Your Colorado driver's license expires on your birthday. You can renew your license up to one year before your birthday or up to 60 days after your birthday. If you renew before your birthday, your new license will expire on your birthday five years from the date of renewal. If you renew after your birthday, your new license will expire on your birthday five years from that date.

If your license expires and you do not renew within 60 days, it becomes expired rather than straightforward due for renewal. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Colorado. If you are pulled over, you can face a ticket. More importantly, if your license has been expired for more than 60 days, you cannot use the standard renewal process — you must take a written test and vision test in addition to renewing.

To avoid this, mark your birthday on your calendar and plan to renew at least a few weeks before it arrives. If you miss the 60-day window, you can still renew, but the process will take longer because of the required tests.

What to expect at the Fort Collins DMV office

When you arrive at the Fort Collins DMV office on East Mulberry Street, you will take a number from the ticket machine near the entrance. The office uses a digital queue system, and your number will be called when a clerk is ready. Bring all your documents and be prepared to wait.

Once you reach the counter, the clerk will review your documents, ask you to confirm your information, and take a new photo for your license. You will sign the back of your new license, and the clerk will process your payment. The entire transaction takes about 30 minutes. Your new license is printed when ready and is valid as soon as you leave the office.

The office can be crowded on weekday afternoons and on the days just before birthdays. If you have flexibility, visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning tends to mean shorter waits. Avoid the last week of the month, when many people rush to renew before their birthdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

Yes, but you will need to take a written test and vision test in addition to the standard renewal. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the full driver's test. Contact the Fort Collins DMV office or check the Colorado DMV website to confirm what you need based on how long your license has been expired.

Do I need an appointment to renew at the Fort Collins DMV?

No. The Fort Collins DMV office does not take appointments. You arrive during business hours, take a number, and wait for your turn. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than afternoons or Fridays.

Can I renew my license online if I moved to Fort Collins from another state?

No. Online renewal is only for people renewing an existing Colorado license. If you moved from another state, you must renew in person at the Fort Collins DMV office and bring proof of your new Colorado residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.

What happens if I drive on an expired license?

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Colorado. You can be stopped and ticketed. If your license expired more than 60 days ago, you also cannot use the standard renewal process and must take a written and vision test. Renew before your license expires to avoid these complications.

How do I change my address when I renew my license?

You can change your address during renewal at the Fort Collins DMV office in person. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. Online and mail renewal do not allow address changes, so if you moved, you must renew in person.