What you need to do to replace your Colorado driver's license

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Colorado driver's license, you must visit a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person with proof of identity and residency. You'll fill out an process for a Colorado Driver's License or Identification Card (form DL-43), pay the replacement fee, and have your photo taken. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes at the office, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

If your license was stolen, you should also report it to local police and get a case number — some DMV offices ask for this, and it protects you if someone tries to use your old license for fraud. You cannot get a temporary license while you wait for the replacement to arrive, so plan ahead if you need to drive before it comes.

Key Takeaways

  • You must go to a Colorado DMV office in person with a valid ID and proof you live in Colorado to replace your license.
  • The replacement fee is $20 for a standard license and $30 for a REAL ID-compliant license, and you pay at the time of your visit.
  • Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; there is no way to get a temporary license to drive while you wait.
  • If your license was stolen, file a police report first so you have a case number to show the DMV.
  • You can make an appointment online at the DMV website to avoid waiting in line, though walk-ins are also accepted.

Documents you must bring to the DMV office

Bring one form of primary identification — a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or tribal ID. If you don't have any of those, you can use two forms of secondary ID instead, such as a birth certificate plus a Social Security card, or a utility bill plus a bank statement.

You also need proof of Colorado residency. This can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your current Colorado address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from the DMV itself, such as a vehicle registration renewal notice, also works.

Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it — your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form. If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

Choosing between a standard license and a REAL ID

Colorado offers two types of replacement licenses: a standard driver's license and a REAL ID-compliant license. The difference matters if you fly domestically or enter a federal building.

A standard Colorado driver's license costs $20 to replace and works for driving and most everyday ID needs. However, starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal courthouse, military base, or nuclear power plant. If you don't have a passport and want to fly, you'll need the REAL ID license.

A REAL ID license costs $30 to replace — $10 more than standard — and requires one additional document: proof of your Social Security number (your card, W-2, or 1099) and proof of your legal name and date of birth (birth certificate, passport, or court order). If you're already bringing these documents anyway, the extra $10 is the only additional cost. You can choose which type when you fill out your process at the DMV office.

How to make a DMV appointment or walk in

You can book an appointment online at dmv.colorado.gov by selecting your local office and choosing an available time slot. Appointments usually have openings within a few days to a week, depending on the office. Making an appointment means you skip the walk-in line and are seen at your scheduled time.

If you don't want to book ahead, you can walk into any Colorado DMV office during business hours. Walk-in wait times vary by location and time of day — offices in smaller towns are usually faster, and early morning or mid-week visits tend to have shorter lines than afternoons or Fridays. Check the DMV website for your local office's hours before you go.

Some offices are busier than others. If your nearest office has a long wait, you can visit a different one in your region instead. The DMV website shows wait times at each location in real time.

What happens after you submit your process

Once you complete your process and pay the fee at the DMV office, your new license is printed and mailed to the address you provided. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need it faster, you can pay an extra $15 for expedited mail, which usually arrives in 3 to 5 business days, though this is not may provide.

You will receive a receipt at the DMV office showing your process number. Keep this receipt — if your new license doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe, you can use the process number to check the status online or call the DMV to investigate.

If your address changes before your new license arrives, contact the DMV when ready with your process number so they can update the mailing address. If your license arrives at an old address, you can request a replacement at no charge if you report it within 30 days.

Replacing a license that was stolen

If your license was stolen rather than lost or damaged, file a report with your local police department before or after visiting the DMV — either order works. Get a case number from the police report. Some DMV offices ask to see this number, and having it on file protects you if someone tries to use your old license fraudulently.

The DMV replacement process is the same whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. The police report is mainly for your protection and for the DMV's records. If you're concerned about identity theft, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them.

Driving without a license while you wait for your replacement

Colorado does not issue temporary licenses, so you cannot legally drive while waiting for your replacement to arrive. If you need to drive before your new license comes, you have two options: carry your DMV receipt as proof that you've applied for a replacement, or use another form of valid ID such as a passport or passport card.

A police officer may accept your DMV receipt as proof that you've applied, but they are not required to. It is safer to avoid driving if possible, or to carry a passport or other federal ID. If you are stopped and cannot show a valid license, you can be cited for driving without a license, even though you have applied for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license by mail or online?

No. Colorado requires you to appear in person at a DMV office to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license. You must provide proof of identity and residency in front of a DMV employee, and you must have your photo taken for the new license.

What if I don't have a birth certificate or passport?

You can use two forms of secondary ID instead of a primary ID. Secondary forms include a Social Security card, utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail. Bring two of these together, and the DMV will accept them as proof of identity.

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

A standard replacement license costs $20. A REAL ID-compliant license costs $30. Expedited mail delivery costs an extra $15 if you want your license in 3 to 5 business days instead of 7 to 10.

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

Contact the DMV with your process number and explain the problem. If the error is the DMV's fault, they will issue a replacement at no charge. If the license arrived damaged in the mail, the DMV can reissue it; keep the damaged license and bring it with you or describe the damage when you call.

Do I need to replace my license if it's just bent but still readable?

No, a bent but readable license is still valid for driving and ID purposes. You only need to replace it if it is lost, stolen, or so damaged that it cannot be read or the photo is no longer visible.