Report the loss and request a replacement in one trip to the DMV

If your Colorado driver's license is lost, you need to report it to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles and request a replacement card. You can do both at the same time by visiting a DMV office in person, calling the DMV, or submitting a form by mail. The fastest route is an in-person visit, which takes about 30 minutes and produces a temporary paper license you can use when ready while the plastic card is mailed to you.

A lost license is not the same as a suspended or revoked license — you are not in trouble, and the replacement process is straightforward. The main thing to know is that Colorado charges a fee for the replacement card, and you will need to prove your identity and residency when you request it.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit a Colorado DMV office in person to report the loss and get a temporary paper license the same day, or call 303-205-5600 to report it by phone.
  • Bring a current form of ID (passport, military ID, or state ID card) and proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days) to the DMV office.
  • The replacement fee is $20 for a standard license, and the plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • You can drive legally on the temporary paper license issued at the DMV office until your replacement card arrives.
  • If your license was stolen rather than lost, you may also want to report the theft to local police and monitor your identity for fraud.

How to report the loss to the Colorado DMV

You have three ways to report a lost license: in person at a DMV office, by phone, or by mail. In-person is the fastest because you walk out with a temporary license valid for driving. By phone, you can report the loss and request a replacement, but you will still need to visit an office or mail in documents to complete the process. By mail, you send a form and documents, and the entire process takes longer.

To report by phone, call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600. Have your driver's license number ready if you know it, or be prepared to provide your full name, date of birth, and address. The DMV staff will confirm your identity and create a report. You will then receive instructions on how to submit your replacement request.

To report in person, find your nearest DMV office on the Colorado DMV website and visit during business hours. Bring your ID and proof of residency (see the next section). Tell the staff your license is lost, and they will file the report and process your replacement request at the same time.

What documents you need to bring to the DMV

When you visit a DMV office to report the loss and request a replacement, bring one current form of ID and one proof of Colorado residency. The ID must be a government-issued document with your photo and signature. Acceptable forms include a U.S. passport, military ID card, state ID card, or tribal ID. A Social Security card, birth certificate, or credit card will not work on its own.

Proof of residency must show your current Colorado address and be dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a property tax bill. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you do not have a document in your name, you can bring a document in a household member's name plus a signed statement from that person confirming you live there.

If you are replacing a license that was stolen rather than lost, bring the police report number if you have one. This is not required, but it helps document the theft in case there is fraud on your account later.

Getting a temporary license while you wait for the replacement card

When you visit the DMV office in person, the staff will issue you a temporary paper license before you leave. This temporary license is valid for driving in Colorado and nationwide while your plastic replacement card is being printed and mailed. You do not need to do anything else — the temporary is automatic.

The temporary license is a printed form that shows your photo, name, license number, and expiration date. It is not as durable as the plastic card, so keep it in a safe place. The plastic card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid, though you do not need to do anything to retire it.

If you need to drive before you can visit the DMV office in person, you can call 303-205-5600 to report the loss by phone and ask about temporary options. Some offices can issue a temporary license by mail in certain situations, though this is less common.

The cost and timeline for a replacement license

Colorado charges $20 to replace a lost driver's license. This fee is the same whether you are replacing a standard license, a commercial driver's license (CDL), or a license with a motorcycle endorsement. You pay the fee at the DMV office when you request the replacement, or by check or money order if you are explore by mail.

The plastic replacement card is mailed to the address on file with the DMV, which should be your current Colorado address. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you request the replacement. If you move before the card arrives, contact the DMV to update your address so the card is forwarded correctly. If the card does not arrive within two weeks, call the DMV to check the status.

What to do if your license was stolen, not lost

If you believe your license was stolen rather than lost, follow the same steps to report it to the DMV and request a replacement. Additionally, consider filing a report with your local police department. You do not need a police report to get a replacement license, but having one on file creates a record in case someone tries to use your license number for fraud.

Monitor your credit report and bank accounts for suspicious activity. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If you see fraudulent charges or accounts opened in your name, contact your bank and the credit bureaus when ready. You can also place a fraud alert on your credit file, which makes it harder for someone to open new accounts using your identity.

Replacing your license if you cannot visit the DMV in person

If you cannot visit a DMV office, you can request a replacement by mail. read the process for a Duplicate Driver's License (Form DL-44) from the Colorado DMV website, fill it out completely, and mail it along with a copy of your ID and proof of residency to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $20 made payable to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles.

Processing a replacement by mail takes longer than an in-person visit — typically 3 to 4 weeks from the date the DMV receives your process. You will not receive a temporary license, so you cannot drive legally until the plastic card arrives. If you need to drive before then, an in-person visit is your only option.

Mail your process to the address on the form and keep a copy for your records. The DMV does not send a confirmation that your process was received, so if you want to check the status, call 303-205-5600 after two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my temporary paper license to drive out of state?

Yes, the temporary paper license issued by the Colorado DMV is valid for driving nationwide. It is a legal form of identification for driving purposes in all 50 states. Keep it in a safe place because it is not as durable as a plastic card.

What if I find my original license after I request a replacement?

If you find your original license after reporting it lost and requesting a replacement, you can use either one until the replacement card arrives. Once the replacement arrives, the original license is no longer valid and should be destroyed. You do not need to contact the DMV to cancel the replacement request.

Do I have to replace my license if it is lost, or can I just get a new one when it expires?

You should replace it as soon as possible. Driving without a valid license is illegal, even if your original license has not expired yet. A lost license is considered invalid once you report it missing, so you need the replacement to drive legally.

How much does it cost to replace a lost Colorado driver's license?

The replacement fee is $20. This covers the cost of the plastic card and processing. If you explore by mail, you pay by check or money order. If you visit the DMV in person, you can pay by cash, check, card, or money order.

What if I lost my license and my ID card at the same time?

You will need another form of government-issued photo ID to prove your identity when you request a replacement license. If you do not have a passport or military ID, you may need to get a state ID card first. Contact your local DMV office to ask what options are available in your situation.