How to Renew an Expired Colorado Driver's License

You can renew an expired Colorado license online, by mail, or in person — the method depends on how long it has been expired and whether you need a Real ID

Colorado allows you to renew an expired driver's license through the Department of Revenue's online system, by mail, or at a local driver's license office. The fastest route is online if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a Real ID upgrade. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a driver's license office and will need to retake the written test. Mail renewal is available but takes longer — typically two to three weeks for processing plus mailing time.

The state does not charge a penalty fee for renewing an expired license, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. If you need to drive before renewal is complete, you can request a temporary permit at a driver's license office.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal works only if your license expired within five years and you do not need a Real ID; the process takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.75 for a five-year license.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks for processing and requires you to send in your expired license, a completed form, and payment; you receive a temporary permit by mail while you wait.
In-person renewal at a driver's license office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, and you will need to pass the written test again.
Real ID upgrades cannot be done online or by mail — you must go to a driver's license office in person with proof of identity, residency, and citizenship or legal presence.
You can drive on a temporary permit issued at a driver's license office while your renewal is being processed, but not on an expired license.

Online renewal for licenses expired less than five years

If your Colorado driver's license expired within the last five years and you do not need a Real ID, you can renew online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Go to the DMV's online services portal, log in with your Colorado ID number and date of birth, and follow the prompts to review your information, upload a new photo, and pay the renewal fee. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot legally drive during this time unless you request a temporary permit in person at a driver's license office. The online renewal fee is $28.75 for a five-year license or $57.50 for a ten-year license.

Online renewal is not available if you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license, or if you are upgrading to a Real ID. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Mail renewal and temporary permits

To renew by mail, read and complete the process for Renewal of Driver's License (Form DL-44) from the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Include your expired license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail the packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks, and your new license arrives by mail afterward.

When you mail in your renewal, you can request a temporary permit to be mailed to you as well. The temporary permit allows you to drive legally while your new license is being processed. Ask for it on the form or call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 to request one after you have mailed your renewal. The temporary permit is valid for 60 days.

Mail renewal costs the same as online renewal: $28.75 for five years or $57.50 for ten years. This method works whether your license expired recently or several years ago, as long as it has not been expired for more than five years. If it has been expired longer, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal at a driver's license office

If your Colorado license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Colorado driver's license office. You will need to bring your expired license, proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Colorado residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment for the renewal fee. You will also need to pass the written knowledge test again.

The written test covers Colorado traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the Colorado Driver's Handbook, available free on the DMV website. The test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at no additional cost.

In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. Your new license is printed on site and you receive it before you leave. You can drive when ready with your new license. Driver's license offices are located in most Colorado counties; you can find the nearest one and check wait times on the Colorado DMV website.

Real ID upgrades during renewal

If you want to upgrade to a Real ID during your renewal, you must do so in person at a driver's license office. Real ID is a federal security standard required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings as of May 7, 2025. You cannot upgrade to Real ID online or by mail.

To upgrade, bring your expired license, proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of citizenship or legal presence (passport, birth certificate, or immigration documents). The Real ID upgrade costs an additional $15 on top of the renewal fee, for a total of $43.75 for a five-year license.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to take the written test again as part of the in-person renewal process. Real ID processing takes the same amount of time as a standard renewal — your new license is printed on site.

What to do if you cannot find your expired license

If you have lost your expired license, you can still renew it. For online renewal, you will need your Colorado ID number, which appears on your license but may also be on other documents like your vehicle registration or insurance card. If you do not have your ID number, you must renew in person or by mail.

For mail renewal, send a note explaining that your license is lost and include a copy of another form of ID if possible. The DMV will process your renewal using the information in their system. For in-person renewal, bring your proof of identity and residency as usual; the DMV can look up your information by name and date of birth.

Temporary permits and driving while your renewal is pending

You cannot legally drive on an expired license, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you must obtain a temporary permit. Temporary permits are issued in person at driver's license offices at no cost and are valid for 60 days.

When you renew by mail, you can request a temporary permit to be mailed to you along with your renewal process. When you renew online, you must go to a driver's license office in person to request a temporary permit. When you renew in person, your new license is printed on site and you do not need a temporary permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online if it expired more than five years ago?

No. Online renewal is only available if your license expired within the last five years. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a driver's license office and will need to retake the written test. Mail renewal is also not available for licenses expired more than five years.

How much does it cost to renew an expired Colorado license?

A five-year renewal costs $28.75 online or by mail, or $43.75 if you upgrade to Real ID. A ten-year renewal costs $57.50 online or by mail, or $72.50 with Real ID. In-person renewal costs the same as online and mail renewal, plus an additional $15 if you upgrade to Real ID.

Do I have to take the written test again if my license has been expired for a long time?

Yes, if your license expired more than five years ago, you must retake the written test as part of the in-person renewal process. You can study using the Colorado Driver's Handbook on the DMV website. If your license expired less than five years ago, you do not need to retake the test.

Can I drive on a temporary permit while my renewal is being processed?

Yes. A temporary permit is valid for 60 days and allows you to drive legally while your new license is being mailed to you. You can request a temporary permit in person at a driver's license office, or request one by mail when you submit your mail renewal process.

What happens if I fail the written test during in-person renewal?

You can retake the test the same day at no additional cost. You have unlimited attempts to pass. If you fail multiple times, you may want to study the Colorado Driver's Handbook more thoroughly or take a driver improvement course before trying again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.