Colorado driver's licenses expire on your birthday, five years after issue

Your Colorado driver's license is valid for five years from the date it was issued. The expiration date appears on the front of your card — it will be your birthday in the year five years out. For example, if you received your license on March 15, 2024, it expires on March 15, 2029.

You do not have to wait until the expiration date to renew. Colorado allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. This means you can start the renewal process 12 months ahead of time if you want to avoid a last-minute rush or may support you have a valid license before travel.

After your license expires, you cannot legally drive in Colorado or any other state. Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation. If you miss your expiration date, you will need to explore for a new license rather than renew, which takes longer and costs more.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Colorado license expires on your birthday, five years after the issue date shown on your card.
  • You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office starting one year before expiration.
  • Online and mail renewal cost $28.25 and take 7 to 10 business days; in-person renewal costs $28.25 and is when ready.
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew — you must explore for a new license and retake the written test.
  • You must renew in person if your address has changed, your name has changed, or you need to update your photo.

How to find your expiration date

Look at the front of your Colorado driver's license. The expiration date is printed in the lower right corner, below your photograph. It will read as a date in the format MM/DD/YYYY — for example, 03/15/2029.

If you cannot find your physical license, you can check your expiration date online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 during business hours to confirm your expiration date over the phone.

Renewing online through the Colorado DMV

Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online if your license is not expired, your address and name have not changed since your last license was issued, and you do not need to update your photograph.

To renew online, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue website and select the driver's license renewal option. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $28.25. Once you submit your process, your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal does not give you a temporary license or permit. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you will need to renew in person instead.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but does not require a trip to a DMV office. You can renew by mail if your license is not expired, your address and name have not changed, and you do not need a new photograph.

To renew by mail, contact the Colorado DMV to request a renewal process form, or read it from the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Complete the form, include a check or money order for $28.25 payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the DMV receives your process. Mail delivery time is not included in this estimate.

Renewing in person at a Colorado DMV office

In-person renewal is required if your address has changed, your legal name has changed, you need to update your photograph, or you want an when ready temporary license. You must visit a Colorado DMV office with your current driver's license and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the legal document that proves the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you need a new photograph, the DMV will take one at the office.

The fee for in-person renewal is $28.25. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent card to arrive by mail, which takes 7 to 10 business days.

What happens if your license has already expired

If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew it using the same process as above (online, by mail, or in person). The fee remains $28.25.

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew. You must explore for a new license instead. This requires visiting a Colorado DMV office in person, bringing proof of identity and residence, passing a vision test, and retaking the written knowledge test. The fee for a new license is higher than a renewal, and the process takes longer. To avoid this, renew before your expiration date or within one year after it passes.

Planning ahead: when to start the renewal process

Start your renewal at least two weeks before your expiration date if you are renewing online or by mail. This gives the DMV time to process your process and mail your new license before the old one expires. If you are traveling or need your new license by a specific date, start even earlier — at least one month before expiration.

If you are renewing in person, you can usually complete the process the same day you visit the office. However, DMV offices can have long wait times, especially near the end of the month or on Fridays. Check the Colorado DMV website for current wait times at your local office before you go.

You can renew up to one year before your expiration date. If your license expires soon and you know you will be out of state or unable to renew for several months, renew early rather than risk letting it expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with an expired Colorado license if I am renewing it?

No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. If you renew online or by mail, you must wait for your new card to arrive before driving again.

What if I move to a different address before my license expires?

You must renew in person to update your address. You cannot change your address online or by mail. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days) and your current license to a Colorado DMV office.

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

If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew online or by mail, your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days from the date the DMV processes your process. Mail delivery time is additional.

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

Colorado DMV offices accept both walk-ins and appointments. You can schedule an appointment online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website, or you can walk in without one. Appointments may have shorter wait times, especially during busy periods.

What if my name has changed since I got my current license?

You must renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of your legal name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your current address. The DMV will update your name and issue a new license with the correct name.