What MyDMV.Colorado.gov Does and Who Can Use It
MyDMV.Colorado.gov is Colorado's online portal where you can renew your driver's license without visiting a DMV office in person. You can renew online if your license is not expired, you have not had any address changes you have not reported, and you are renewing a standard (non-REAL ID) license or a REAL ID license that you already hold. If your license is already expired, you cannot renew online — you will need to visit a DMV office or use the mail-in renewal option.
The online renewal process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method (debit or credit card). Once you complete the renewal, Colorado will mail your new license to the address on file, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- MyDMV.Colorado.gov lets you renew online only if your license is not expired and you have not moved since your last license was issued.
- You will need your current license number, email address, and a debit or credit card to complete the renewal.
- The renewal fee is the same online as it is in person, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license is expired or you need to change your address, you must renew in person at a Colorado DMV office or by mail.
- REAL ID renewals are available online only if you already hold a REAL ID license; first-time REAL ID applicants must visit an office.
Step-by-Step: Renewing Online on MyDMV.Colorado.gov
Go to mydmv.colorado.gov and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. Colorado will pull up your current license information on the screen.
Review the information displayed — your name, date of birth, address, and license class. If any of this information is incorrect, you cannot proceed online. Stop and visit a DMV office or call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to correct it before renewing. If everything is correct, confirm that you meet the renewal requirements: your license is not expired, you have not moved, and you are not explore for REAL ID for the first time.
Select your renewal type. If you hold a standard license and want to keep it standard, choose "Standard License Renewal." If you already hold a REAL ID and want to renew it as a REAL ID, choose "REAL ID Renewal." Then enter or confirm your email address, review the terms and conditions, and proceed to payment. Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or save the confirmation number — you may need it if you have questions about your renewal. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Do not expect it when ready; allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery.
When You Cannot Renew Online and What to Do Instead
You must renew in person or by mail if your license is already expired. Online renewal is only for licenses that are still valid. If your license expired more than two years ago, Colorado may require you to retake the written test and vision test, even if you renew by mail or in person.
You also cannot renew online if you have moved since your last license was issued and have not yet reported the address change to Colorado DMV. If you have moved, visit a DMV office with proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days) and your current license. You can renew at the same time you update your address.
First-time REAL ID applicants must visit a DMV office in person. You will need to bring your current driver's license, proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and two proofs of Colorado residency (utility bill and lease, for example). REAL ID licenses cost more than standard licenses and take longer to arrive — typically 10 to 15 business days.
Mail-in Renewal as an Alternative to Online
If you prefer not to renew online, Colorado allows mail-in renewal for standard licenses that are not expired. You can request a renewal form by calling the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 or by visiting a DMV office. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form. Mail-in renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically 3 to 4 weeks from the time Colorado receives your form.
Mail-in renewal is useful if you do not have a debit or credit card, prefer not to enter payment information online, or want a paper record of your renewal. However, if you need your new license quickly, online renewal is faster because you receive a confirmation when ready and your license ships within a few days.
What Happens After You Renew Online
After you complete your online renewal on MyDMV.Colorado.gov, you will receive a confirmation email with your confirmation number and the expected delivery date of your new license. You can use this confirmation number to check the status of your renewal if you have questions. During the 7 to 10 business days while your license is in the mail, you can still drive using your old license.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 with your confirmation number. They can check whether your license has shipped and provide a tracking update. If your license is lost or damaged in the mail, the DMV can reissue it at no extra cost.
Once your new license arrives, destroy your old license by cutting it in half or shredding it. You do not need to return it to the DMV. Your new license is valid when ready upon arrival, even though it was issued before you received it.
REAL ID Renewal Online: What Is Different
If you already hold a REAL ID license and want to renew it as a REAL ID, you can do so online on MyDMV.Colorado.gov. The process is the same as renewing a standard license, except you select "REAL ID Renewal" instead of "Standard License Renewal." You do not need to bring documents or visit an office because Colorado already verified your identity when you first obtained your REAL ID.
REAL ID renewals cost more than standard license renewals. As of 2024, a REAL ID renewal costs more than a standard renewal, though the exact amount varies depending on how many years you are renewing for. Check the current fee on MyDMV.Colorado.gov before you complete payment.
Your renewed REAL ID will have a gold star in the upper right corner, just like your current one. It will be valid for the same purposes — boarding domestic flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing military bases. If you do not hold a REAL ID and want to obtain one, you must visit a DMV office in person with the documents listed in the previous section.
Troubleshooting Common Issues on MyDMV.Colorado.gov
If you cannot log in to MyDMV.Colorado.gov, the most common reason is that you entered your license number or Social Security number incorrectly. Check that you entered your full license number (not just part of it) and the last four digits of your Social Security number exactly as they appear on your license and Social Security card. If you still cannot log in, call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 and they can help you verify your information.
If the system tells you that you are not may be able to access to renew online, it is usually because your license is expired, you have an unreported address change, or you are trying to renew a REAL ID for the first time. Read the error message carefully — it will tell you which issue applies. If the message is unclear, call the DMV. Do not attempt to renew in person at an office without first understanding why online renewal was blocked, because the same issue may prevent in-person renewal as well.
If your payment is declined, check that you entered your card number, expiration date, and CVV correctly. If the card is correct and the payment still fails, try a different card or call the DMV to renew by phone or mail instead. Do not attempt the same payment multiple times in a row, as this can trigger a fraud hold on your card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license online if I moved to a different state?
No. If you have moved out of Colorado, you cannot renew your Colorado license online or by mail. You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person, or you can surrender your Colorado license and obtain a license in your new state instead. If you moved within Colorado but have not reported the address change, you also cannot renew online.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Colorado typically mails your new license within 3 to 5 business days after you complete your online renewal, and it arrives 7 to 10 business days after that. Total time from renewal to arrival is usually 10 to 15 business days. If it takes longer, contact the DMV with your confirmation number.
What if I need my new license before the mail arrives?
You can continue to drive using your old license while you wait for the new one. If you need proof of renewal before your new license arrives, the DMV can issue a temporary paper license at an office, though this requires an in-person visit. Call 303-205-5600 to ask whether a temporary license is necessary for your situation.
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than a year ago?
No. Online renewal is only for licenses that are currently valid. If your license is expired, you must renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. If your license has been expired for more than two years, Colorado may require you to pass the written and vision tests again.
Do I have to pay a different fee if I renew online instead of in person?
No. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The only difference in cost is if you are renewing a REAL ID instead of a standard license, which costs more regardless of how you renew.