How to Renew Your Colorado Driver's License

Renewing Your Colorado License Online, by Mail, or In Person

You can renew your Colorado driver's license through three routes: online at the Colorado Department of Revenue website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a local driver's license office. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home. Mail renewal works only if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes. In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than a year, if you need to update your photo, or if you want to change your address or name.

Your license is valid for five years from the date you renew it. Colorado sends you a reminder postcard about 60 days before your expiration date, but you do not have to wait for it — you can renew anytime in the 180 days before your license expires. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but the process may take longer and you cannot legally drive until the new one arrives.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes 10 minutes, costs $28.25, and works if your license is not expired and your address has not changed.
Mail renewal is free but only available if your license is current and you have not moved; you mail in your old license and receive a new one by post.
In-person renewal at a driver's license office is required if your license expired more than a year ago, if you need a new photo, or if you are changing your address or legal name.
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days for online renewal, or 2 to 3 weeks for mail renewal.
You will need your current Colorado license, a valid Social Security number, and proof of your current address if you renew in person.

Online Renewal: The Fastest Route

Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's online renewal portal at dor.colorado.gov and select "Driver License Renewal." You will need your current Colorado license number, your date of birth, and your Social Security number. The system will verify your information against state records and ask you to confirm your address and any other details on file.

Online renewal costs $28.25 and you pay by debit or credit card. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it expires during that time.

Online renewal is not available if your current license has expired, if you have changed your address since your last renewal, if you need to update your photo, or if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL). If any of these explore, you will need to renew by mail or in person.

Mail Renewal: Free but Slower

Mail renewal is free and requires no fee payment. You can use this method only if your license is not expired, your address has not changed, and you do not have a CDL. To renew by mail, you must request a renewal packet from the Colorado Department of Revenue by calling 303-205-5600 or visiting a driver's license office in person. You cannot start a mail renewal online.

Once you receive the packet, you will fill out the form, sign it, and mail your current license back to the address provided. Colorado will process your renewal and mail your new license to you. The entire process takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time you mail in your old license. During this time, you can drive on your current license.

Mail renewal is useful if you want to avoid the $28.25 online fee and your circumstances have not changed. However, because it takes longer and requires you to mail in your physical license, most people choose online renewal if they are able to.

In-Person Renewal at a Driver's License Office

You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than a year, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your address or legal name, or if you have a CDL. You can also renew in person if you prefer it, even if you are not required to.

Bring your current Colorado license, a valid Social Security number (you can provide it verbally), and proof of your current address. Acceptable address proof includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Find your nearest driver's license office on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online. Call ahead or check the office's hours before you go. In-person renewal takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will have your photo taken, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

What Happens If Your License Has Expired

If your license expired less than a year ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods above. If your license expired more than a year ago, you must renew in person at a driver's license office. You cannot legally drive until your new license arrives, so plan your renewal before you need to drive.

If you have been driving on an expired license, you may face a traffic citation. Renewing as soon as possible will prevent further legal issues. Once you submit your renewal process — whether online, by mail, or in person — you are in the system, and you can show proof of your process to a police officer if you are stopped before your new license arrives.

Changing Your Address, Name, or Photo During Renewal

If you are moving, you must update your address on your license. You can change your address online during renewal only if you are renewing online and your address change is the only update you need. If you are also changing your name or need a new photo, you must renew in person.

To change your name, you will need a certified copy of the document that shows the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order from a name-change petition. Bring this document with you if you are renewing in person, or mail it with your renewal packet if you are renewing by mail.

If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person. Colorado does not allow you to submit a photo online or by mail. Your photo will be taken at the driver's license office during your in-person visit.

Costs and Timeline for Colorado License Renewal

Online renewal costs $28.25 and takes 7 to 10 business days from submission to delivery. Mail renewal is free but takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal costs $28.25 and also takes 7 to 10 business days for your new license to arrive by mail, though you will have completed the process at the office itself.

You can renew your license anytime in the 180 days before it expires. If you renew early, your new expiration date will be five years from the date you renew, not five years from your old expiration date. This means early renewal does not extend your license's total validity — it resets the clock.

If you need your license sooner than the standard mail timeline, you can request expedited processing at a driver's license office in person. Expedited processing has an additional fee and may not be available at all offices, so call ahead to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?

Yes. You can drive on your current license until your new one arrives, even if your current license expires during the processing time. Once your new license arrives, you must use that instead. If your license has already expired before you submit your renewal, you cannot legally drive until the new license arrives.

What if I moved and did not update my address before renewing?

Your new license will be mailed to the address on file with Colorado, not your new address. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-205-5600 to update your address before your license is mailed, or it will go to your old address. If it arrives at the wrong place, you can request a replacement at a driver's license office.

Do I need to take a new written test or road test to renew?

No. Renewal is not the same as retesting. You do not take a written test or road test to renew a valid license. If your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you are renewing after a very long expiration, Colorado may require additional steps — call 303-205-5600 to ask about your specific situation.

What if my name changed since my last renewal?

Bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You must renew in person and present this document. The name on your new license will match the legal document you provide.

Can I renew my license if I have a commercial driver's license (CDL)?

CDL renewal has different rules and cannot be done online or by mail. You must renew in person at a driver's license office. Call 303-205-5600 or visit the Colorado Department of Revenue website to find an office that handles CDL renewals and to learn what documents you need to bring.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.