Colorado driver's license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last

A standard Colorado driver's license costs $28.50 for an eight-year license or $19 for a five-year license. If you are under 21, the fee is $19 for a five-year license. These are the fees you pay at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you pass your road test and receive your license.

The cost covers the physical card itself, the background check, and the processing of your process. You do not pay this fee when you take your written test or your road test — only when you actually receive the license. If you renew your license later, you will pay the same renewal fee at that time.

Colorado also charges separate fees for the written test and the road test, which come before you pay for the license itself. Those fees are smaller but add to your total cost of becoming a licensed driver.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Colorado driver's license costs $28.50 for eight years or $19 for five years, paid only after you pass your road test.
  • Drivers under 21 pay $19 for a five-year license; they cannot get an eight-year license until they turn 21.
  • You also pay separate fees for the written test ($10.50) and the road test ($26.50), which come before the license fee.
  • Duplicate licenses, name changes, and address changes each have their own fees, usually between $5 and $20.

Written test and road test fees come before the license fee

Before you pay for your license, you need to pass two tests. The written test costs $10.50 and can be taken at any Colorado DMV office. You schedule this yourself and pay the fee when you arrive.

The road test costs $26.50 and must be scheduled in advance. You pay this fee when you book your appointment, not when you take the test. If you fail the road test, you do not pay the fee again — you only pay once per attempt.

Together, the written test and road test cost $37, which you pay before you ever pay for the license card itself. This means your total cost to become a licensed driver in Colorado is roughly $65.50 (for a five-year license) or $74 (for an eight-year license), assuming you pass both tests on your first attempt.

Age affects which license type you can get and how much it costs

If you are under 21, you receive a Instruction Permit first, then a Restricted License, and finally a full license. Each step has its own fee. The Instruction Permit costs $10.50 (the same as the written test, which you take to get it). The Restricted License costs $19.

Once you turn 21, you can get a full license. At that point, you can choose between the five-year license ($19) or the eight-year license ($28.50). Drivers under 21 cannot get the eight-year license — they must renew at 21 or wait until their five-year license expires.

If you are 21 or older when you first get your license, you can choose the eight-year option from the start. This costs more upfront but means you do not renew as often.

Duplicate licenses, corrections, and other changes have separate fees

If you lose your license or need a replacement, a duplicate costs $20. If you need to change your name on your license (due to marriage, divorce, or legal change), the fee is $10.50. Changing your address costs $5 if you do it at the DMV; you can also change your address online for free through the Colorado DMV website.

If there is an error on your license — a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or other mistake — the correction is usually free if the DMV made the error. If you provided wrong information, you may be charged a fee to correct it.

These fees are separate from your original license fee, so budget for them if you need any of these services.

How to pay and what documents you need to bring

You pay all DMV fees in person at a Colorado DMV office. Most offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards, but call ahead to confirm what your local office takes. You cannot pay online or by mail for a new license.

Bring your Instruction Permit (if you have one), proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number. The DMV will collect the fee when you arrive for your road test appointment or when you come in to receive your license after passing.

Some Colorado counties have DMV offices in different locations, so check the Colorado DMV website to find the office nearest you and confirm their hours before you go.

Renewing your license costs the same as getting a new one

When your license expires, you renew it by paying the same fee you paid when you first got it: $19 for five years or $28.50 for eight years. You do not retake the written or road test unless the DMV asks you to.

You can renew your Colorado license online, by mail, or in person, depending on your situation. Online renewal is the fastest and costs the same. If you renew online, you pay with a credit or debit card and receive your new license by mail within two to three weeks.

If you renew in person or by mail, the process takes longer. Plan to renew at least a month before your license expires so you have a valid license when the old one runs out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for the written test and road test even if I fail?

You pay the written test fee ($10.50) each time you take it, so if you fail and retake it, you pay again. For the road test, you pay the $26.50 fee once when you schedule; if you fail, you pay again when you reschedule. Budget for the possibility of retaking either test.

Can I get an eight-year license if I'm 20 years old?

No. Colorado only offers the eight-year license to drivers 21 and older. If you are under 21, you must get the five-year license ($19). When you turn 21, you can renew and choose the eight-year option at that time.

What if I move to Colorado from another state — do I have to pay the full fee?

Yes. You must get a Colorado license, and you pay the full fee ($19 or $28.50 depending on your age and choice). Your out-of-state license does not transfer. You will take the written test and road test just like a first-time driver, though some states have reciprocity agreements that may waive the written test.

Is there a fee to change my address on my license?

Changing your address at the DMV office costs $5. However, you can change your address online through the Colorado DMV website for free. Online is faster and cheaper if your license is not expiring soon.

What happens if I don't renew my license before it expires?

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Colorado. You pay the same renewal fee ($19 or $28.50), but you cannot legally drive until you renew. If you are more than two years expired, you may have to retake the written and road tests instead of straightforward renewing.