Renew your Fort Collins driver's license in person at the Colorado DMV office or by mail if you meet certain conditions

In Fort Collins, you renew your driver's license through the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles. You can renew in person at the Fort Collins DMV office, by mail if your license is not suspended and you meet other requirements, or online if you have a REAL ID-compliant license and are renewing before expiration. The Fort Collins office is located at 3656 South College Avenue, and you do not need an appointment — it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Your Colorado driver's license is valid for five years from the date of issue. The state sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires, but receiving a notice is not required to renew. You can renew up to one year before your license expires, which means you can start the process as soon as you receive the notice or whenever it is convenient.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fort Collins DMV office is at 3656 South College Avenue and takes walk-ins during business hours without appointments.
  • You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended, you have no address changes, and you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Online renewal is available if your current license is REAL ID-compliant and you are renewing before it expires.
  • Bring your current license, proof of Colorado residency, and payment when renewing in person; the fee is $28.75 for a five-year renewal.
  • If your license is suspended or revoked, you must renew in person and may need to complete additional steps before the DMV will issue a new one.

In-person renewal at the Fort Collins DMV office

Walking into the Fort Collins DMV office at 3656 South College Avenue is the most straightforward renewal method. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and does not require an appointment. Bring your current driver's license, one document proving your Colorado address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment. The renewal fee is $28.75 for a five-year license.

The process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You will be asked to confirm your information, have your photo taken, and sign the new license. If you want to change your address, add or remove a restriction, or update your name, you can do that during the same visit. If your vision has changed significantly or you wear corrective lenses, you may be asked to pass a vision test.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must come in person, and the DMV will tell you what steps you need to take before they will issue a new license. This might include paying fines, completing a driver improvement course, or waiting out a suspension period. Call the Fort Collins office at (970) 416-2000 before you go if you are unsure whether your license is suspended.

Mail renewal if you meet Colorado's requirements

You can renew by mail if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have not changed your address since your last renewal, you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you are renewing before your license expires. Mail renewal takes longer than in-person renewal — typically four to six weeks — so plan ahead if you need your new license by a specific date.

To renew by mail, send your current driver's license, the renewal notice you received from the state, and a check or money order for $28.75 to the address listed on the renewal notice. Do not send cash. Include a note with your phone number so the DMV can contact you if there is a problem with your process. Mail your renewal to the address on the notice, not to the Fort Collins office directly.

If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can still renew by mail, but you will need to request a renewal form first. Call the Colorado DMV at 1-303-205-5600 or visit the state DMV website to request a form, then follow the same mailing process. Mail renewal is slower than in-person or online renewal, so use it only if you have time before your license expires.

Online renewal for REAL ID-compliant licenses

If your current Colorado driver's license displays a gold star or gold circle in the upper right corner, it is REAL ID-compliant and you can renew online. Online renewal is the fastest method — you can complete it in 10 to 15 minutes from home, and your new license will arrive by mail in five to seven business days. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method.

Visit the Colorado DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will confirm your personal information, have the option to update your address if needed, and pay the $28.75 renewal fee with a debit or credit card. You cannot change your name, add restrictions, or make other changes during online renewal — if you need to do any of those things, renew in person instead.

Online renewal is only available if your license has not expired yet. If your license is already expired, you must renew in person at the Fort Collins office. If your license is suspended or revoked, online renewal is not available; you must come in person.

What to bring and what it costs

For in-person renewal, bring your current Colorado driver's license and one document proving you live in Colorado. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance policy, or government mail — the document must be dated within 60 days and show your name and current address. If you have recently moved and do not have a document in your new address yet, bring a lease or purchase agreement for your new home.

The renewal fee is $28.75 for a five-year license. The Fort Collins DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order only — do not send cash through the mail. If you are renewing online, you will pay with a debit or credit card.

If you need a duplicate license (for example, if yours was lost or stolen), the fee is $20. If you are renewing and also need to change your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Name changes cannot be done online or by mail — you must renew in person.

Renewing after suspension or revocation

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to the Fort Collins DMV office in person. Before you go, call (970) 416-2000 to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to restore it. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, or accumulation of too many points.

Depending on the reason for suspension, you may need to pay fines, complete a driver improvement course, provide proof of insurance, or wait out a suspension period. The DMV will tell you exactly what is required. Once you have completed those steps, you can renew in person at the Fort Collins office. Bring your current license, proof of residency, payment for the renewal fee, and any documents showing you have met the requirements (such as a receipt for paid fines or a course completion certificate).

If your license is revoked rather than suspended, the process is more involved. Revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process, which may include a hearing. Call the DMV before you visit to understand what you need to do.

Fort Collins DMV office hours and contact information

The Fort Collins DMV office is located at 3656 South College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the office is closed on state holidays. The office does not take appointments, so arrive early if you want to avoid a wait, especially on Fridays or near the end of the month.

You can call the office at (970) 416-2000 with questions about renewal, to check if your license is suspended, or to ask what documents you need to bring. The Colorado DMV website is dmv.colorado.gov, where you can also check your license status, find information about REAL ID compliance, or request a renewal form by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has already expired?

Yes, but you must renew in person at the Fort Collins office. You cannot renew by mail or online if your license is expired. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. There is no additional penalty fee for renewing after expiration, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.

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

If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic card arrives by mail in five to seven business days. If you renew by mail, the entire process takes four to six weeks. If you renew online, your new license arrives in five to seven business days.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew in person, yes — the DMV takes a new photo. If you renew by mail or online, the DMV uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo but are renewing by mail or online, you must renew in person instead.

What if I changed my address but did not update my license?

You can update your address during in-person renewal. Bring your current license and proof of your new address. You cannot update your address during mail or online renewal — if you need to change your address, renew in person at the Fort Collins office.

Is there a grace period if my license expires while I am waiting for my renewal?

Colorado does not have an official grace period, but if you have applied for renewal before your license expires, you can legally drive with your temporary paper license until your new plastic card arrives. If your license has already expired and you have not yet applied, you cannot legally drive.