Renewing your Colorado driver's 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 five years, you must have a valid email address on file, and you cannot have certain violations or medical suspensions on your record. If you may have access to, the online renewal takes about 15 minutes and costs $28.25. If you do not may have access to for online renewal, you can renew by mail or in person at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.
The method you choose depends on your situation. Online renewal is fastest if you are may be able to access. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DMV office is when ready but requires a trip and often involves a wait.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado offers online renewal for most drivers whose licenses expired less than five years ago, and the process takes about 15 minutes.
- You will need a valid email address on file with Colorado DMV to renew online, and you cannot have active medical suspensions or certain violations.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to mail in your current license and a completed form; in-person renewal is when ready but requires visiting a DMV office.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days of approval, whether you renew online or by mail.
- Colorado charges $28.25 for a standard five-year renewal and accepts payment by debit card, credit card, or electronic check online.
Who can renew online and who cannot
Colorado DMV allows online renewal if your license expired within the last five years, you have a valid email address registered with the state, and you have no active medical suspensions, disqualifications, or certain traffic violations on your record. You also cannot have a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a license with a motorcycle endorsement to renew online—those require in-person renewal.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to renew in person or by mail. The same applies if you have had a suspension, revocation, or denial in the past five years, or if you have a medical condition that requires DMV review. If you are unsure whether you may have access to, you can call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to check your record before you start.
How to renew online
Go to the Colorado DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and pull up your record. Review your information for accuracy—if anything is wrong, you will need to correct it in person at a DMV office instead.
Once you confirm your information is correct, you will answer health and vision questions. Colorado asks whether your vision, hearing, or physical condition has changed since your last renewal, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your ability to drive safely. Answer honestly; if you report a new condition, DMV may require a medical evaluation before issuing your license.
After you complete the questions, you will pay the $28.25 renewal fee by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. You will receive a confirmation email when ready. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Renewing by mail
To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver's License form (DL 44) from the Colorado DMV website or request one by phone at 303-205-5600. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number, date of birth, and any changes to your address or medical information. Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $28.25 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with your mailing address if you want your new license sent to a different address than what is on file. Mail renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the time DMV receives your packet.
Keep a copy of your completed form and the tracking number from your mailing receipt in case you need to follow up. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you can print a temporary license from the Colorado DMV website using your confirmation number, though this is not valid for driving—it is for identification only.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
Visit any Colorado DMV office with your current driver's license, proof of Colorado residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment of $28.25. You can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number if your information has changed since your last renewal.
Arrive early or check wait times online before you go—some offices post real-time wait estimates on the Colorado DMV website. You will be asked to verify your address and answer health and vision questions. If the DMV staff member determines you need a vision test, they will administer one on site. Once everything is complete, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent license will be mailed within 10 business days.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Colorado driver's license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it—you must reapply as a new driver. This means you will need to pass a written test, a vision test, and a driving test. You will also need to provide proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and proof of your Social Security number, just as you would for an original license.
Contact your local DMV office to schedule an appointment for the written and driving tests. The process takes longer than a standard renewal and costs more—a new license is $28.25, but you will also pay for the test fees. If you have been driving without a valid license, be aware that Colorado law treats this as driving with an expired license, which can result in a fine.
Renewing with a medical condition or suspension
If you have a medical suspension, a disqualification, or a condition that affects your ability to drive, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and any medical documentation that DMV has requested. If you have been treating a condition (such as a seizure disorder or vision problem) and want to have the restriction lifted, bring documentation from your doctor showing that the condition is controlled or resolved.
The DMV medical review officer will examine your documentation and may require you to pass a vision test or medical evaluation before approving your renewal. This process can take several weeks. If DMV denies your renewal, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I have moved out of state?
No. Colorado requires you to hold a Colorado address to renew a Colorado license. If you have moved out of state, you should surrender your Colorado license and obtain a license in your new state. If you still have property or business in Colorado and maintain a Colorado address, you may be able to renew, but you will need to verify this with DMV.
What if my name has changed since my last renewal?
If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring a certified copy of the document showing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). DMV will update your record and issue a new license with your current name.
How much does a Colorado driver's license renewal cost?
A standard five-year renewal costs $28.25. If you renew online or by mail, you pay this fee once. If you renew in person, the fee is the same. If your license has been expired for more than five years and you must reapply as a new driver, you will pay $28.25 plus additional fees for the written test and driving test.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
Yes, an outstanding ticket or fine does not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if you have a suspension related to unpaid fines or a court order, DMV will not issue a renewal until the suspension is lifted. Contact the court or the agency that issued the suspension to resolve it before you attempt to renew.
What if I do not receive my new license within 10 business days?
Contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 with your confirmation number or process reference number. They can track your license and tell you whether it has been mailed. If there is a delay, DMV can reissue it or provide you with a temporary license number for identification purposes while you wait.