Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and expiration date

Colorado lets you renew your driver's license online if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change, address change, or medical condition that affects your driving. If you do not meet those conditions, you will renew by mail or in person at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.25 for a five-year license. Mail and in-person renewals cost the same but take longer — mail takes two to three weeks, and in-person appointments can be scheduled within days at most locations.

Your new license will be mailed to you after any renewal method, so plan ahead if you need it by a specific date. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license has not yet expired.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado offers online renewal for licenses that are not yet expired, with no recent name or address changes, and costs $28.25 for five years.
  • You can renew by mail by printing a form from the Colorado DMV website, signing it, and mailing it with a check or money order — processing takes two to three weeks.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office requires a valid form of ID, proof of residency, and your current license; you can book an appointment online.
  • Colorado licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
  • If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online and must use mail or in-person renewal instead.

Online renewal: fastest option if your license is current

Start at colorado.gov/dor/dmv and look for the online renewal link. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and pull up your record. You cannot use online renewal if your license has already expired, if you have changed your name or address since your last renewal, or if you have a medical condition or restriction that needs updating.

After you complete the form and pay $28.25 by debit or credit card, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within seven to ten business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Mail renewal: print, sign, and send with payment

read the process for Renewal of Driver's License (Form DL-44R) from the Colorado DMV website. Print it, sign it by hand, and mail it with a check or money order for $28.25 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include your current license with the envelope if you want it returned to you; otherwise, the DMV will destroy it.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. Mail delivery adds another few days on each end, so plan for a total of three to four weeks. If you need your license by a specific date, mail renewal may not be reliable enough — consider in-person renewal instead.

In-person renewal at a DMV office

Book an appointment online at colorado.gov/dor/dmv or call your local DMV office. Bring your current Colorado driver's license, a valid form of ID (passport, military ID, or tribal ID), and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

The appointment itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will pay $28.25 at the office, and your new license will be mailed to you within seven to ten business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

What happens if your license has already expired

You cannot renew online once your license expires. You must renew in person or by mail. In-person renewal is faster — you can get an appointment within a few days at most offices, and your new license will arrive within a week or two. By mail, the process takes three to four weeks total.

While your license is expired, you cannot legally drive. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited for driving with an expired license. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, ask the DMV office for a temporary paper license (valid for 30 days) when you renew in person.

Real ID compliance: what changed and what you need to know

Colorado driver's licenses are now Real ID compliant by default. This means your license can be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. You do not need to do anything special to get Real ID compliance — it comes with your renewed license at no extra cost.

If you prefer not to have a Real ID-compliant license, you can request a standard license instead. Tell the DMV staff when you renew in person, or note it on the mail renewal form. A standard license cannot be used for federal purposes, but it is still valid for driving and state ID needs.

When your license expires and how far in advance you can renew

Your Colorado driver's license expires on your birthday. You can renew it up to one year before the expiration date. For example, if your birthday is March 15, 2025, you can start renewing on March 15, 2024. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will still expire on your next birthday, five years later.

If you are unsure of your expiration date, check the front of your license. The expiration date is printed in the upper right corner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado license if I just moved to the state?

No. You must have a Colorado address on file and have held your out-of-state license for at least one year before you can renew it in Colorado. If you just moved here, you need to get a new Colorado license instead. Visit a DMV office with proof of residency, your out-of-state license, and a valid form of ID.

What if I lost my current license before renewing?

You will need to replace it before you can renew. Go to a DMV office with proof of identity and proof of residency. The replacement costs $20. Once you have your replacement license, you can renew it using any of the three methods — online, mail, or in person.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

Appointments are strongly recommended and can be booked online. Walk-ins are accepted at some offices, but wait times are often longer. Check the Colorado DMV website for your local office's walk-in policy before you go.

How long is my temporary paper license good for if I get one?

A temporary paper license issued at a DMV office is valid for 30 days. It allows you to drive legally while you wait for your new plastic license to arrive by mail. You must carry it with you when you drive.

What if my new license arrives damaged or with wrong information?

Contact the Colorado DMV when ready. If the information is wrong, you may need to renew again or visit an office to correct it. If the card is damaged, the DMV may replace it at no cost — call your local office to ask.