Renewing your Colorado license online, by mail, or in person

Colorado lets you renew your driver's license online if you meet a few conditions: your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must have a valid email address on file, and you cannot have any medical or legal holds on your record. If you may have access to, the online renewal through the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.75 for a four-year license or $57.50 for an eight-year license. The new card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail or in person at a DMV office. Mail renewal takes longer — typically two to three weeks — but works if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no holds. In-person renewal at any Colorado DMV office is the fastest option if you need your new license quickly, though you will need to bring documents and pay the same fee.

Your Colorado license is valid for four or eight years depending on which term you choose at renewal. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website is the fastest option if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical or legal holds.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires the same documents as in-person renewal and costs the same fee.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office is fastest for urgent situations and allows you to choose between a four-year or eight-year license term.
  • You can renew up to one year before your expiration date, so you do not have to wait until the last week.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days for online and mail renewals; in-person renewals may issue a temporary license on the spot.

What documents you need for Colorado license renewal

For online renewal, you need only your current Colorado driver's license number and a valid email address. The system verifies your identity using information already in the DMV database, so you do not upload or mail any documents.

For mail or in-person renewal, you must bring proof of identity and proof of Colorado residency. Acceptable identity documents include your current Colorado driver's license, a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a tribal ID. For residency, Colorado accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and current address — the document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you are renewing in person, bring your current license and the residency document to any DMV office. If you are renewing by mail, photocopy both documents and mail them with your renewal form to the address listed on the DMV website. Do not send originals by mail.

How to renew online through the Colorado DMV

Go to the Colorado DMV website and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the main menu. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify this information against your record.

Next, you will confirm your address and email address. If either has changed, update it in the system. You will then choose your license term — four years or eight years — and review the fee. Pay by debit card or credit card. The system will send a confirmation email to the address on file.

Your new license will be mailed to the address in your DMV record. If you need to change your address before the card arrives, contact the DMV by phone or visit an office in person. Do not rely on mail forwarding; the DMV uses the address in their system, not the post office.

Mail renewal: what to send and where

Request a renewal form from the Colorado DMV website, or call 303-205-5600 to have one mailed to you. Fill out the form completely, including your current address and email address. Photocopy your proof of identity and proof of residency (dated within 60 days), and include both copies with the form.

Mail the form and documents to the address listed on the renewal form itself — this address may change, so check the current form before mailing. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($28.75 for four years or $57.50 for eight years). Do not send cash.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. If you do not receive it within four weeks, contact the DMV to confirm they received your renewal.

In-person renewal at a Colorado DMV office

Find your nearest DMV office on the Colorado DMV website and check their hours before you go. Bring your current driver's license and proof of Colorado residency (dated within 60 days). You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations use a reservation system — check the website for your office.

At the office, tell the staff member you are renewing your license. They will verify your identity, confirm your address, and ask whether you want a four-year or eight-year license. You will pay the renewal fee by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The DMV will take a new photo and print your temporary license on the spot.

Your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving until the permanent card arrives. If you move before the permanent license arrives, contact the DMV to update your address so the card goes to the right place.

What happens if your Colorado license has expired by more than one year

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use online renewal, mail renewal, or the standard in-person renewal process. Instead, you must explore for a new license as if you were getting your first Colorado license. This requires taking the written knowledge test, the vision test, and the driving test.

Schedule an appointment at a Colorado DMV office through their website. Bring proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of Colorado residency. You will pay the full process fee, which is higher than a renewal fee. The entire process takes several hours.

If your license expired within the last year, you still may have access to for standard renewal and do not need to retake the tests.

Renewing your Colorado license while out of state

If you live outside Colorado but hold a Colorado license, you can renew online if you meet the standard requirements. The online process does not verify your current location, only your identity and license status. Your new license will be mailed to the address in your DMV record, which can be an out-of-state address.

If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail using the same process as Colorado residents. Mail your renewal form, copies of your documents, and payment to the DMV address listed on the form. Your new license will be mailed to whatever address you provide on the form.

If you have moved to another state permanently, you should consider getting a license in your new state instead of renewing your Colorado license. Holding a license in a state where you do not live can complicate insurance claims and vehicle registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado license if it expired more than a year ago?

No, you cannot use the standard renewal process. You must explore for a new license, which requires taking the written test, vision test, and driving test at a DMV office. Schedule an appointment through the Colorado DMV website and bring proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.

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

Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The DMV sends a confirmation email when you complete your online renewal. If you do not receive your license within two weeks, contact the DMV to check the status.

What if my address changed since my last license?

Update your address during the renewal process. For online renewal, you can change it in the system before you pay. For mail or in-person renewal, write your new address on the renewal form or tell the DMV staff member. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person at a Colorado DMV office?

Most Colorado DMV offices do not require appointments for license renewal, but some locations use a reservation system. Check the website for your specific office to see whether you need to book a time slot in advance.

Can I choose between a four-year and eight-year license when I renew?

Yes. At renewal, you choose your license term. The four-year license costs $28.75 and the eight-year license costs $57.50. You can choose whichever term works best for you at each renewal.