Denver County has one main driver's license office, plus a few satellite locations with limited hours
The primary Denver County driver's license office is the Denver Driver License Office, located at 777 West 57th Avenue in Denver. This is the full-service location where you can renew, replace, or obtain a driver's license, and it handles the widest range of transactions. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays.
Colorado also operates satellite offices in some Denver neighborhoods, though these have reduced hours and may not handle every type of transaction. Before driving to any location, check the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles website to confirm current hours, because satellite locations sometimes close temporarily or shift their schedules.
You do not need an appointment at the main office, but wait times can run 30 minutes to over an hour during mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays. Arriving early (around 8:15 a.m.) or late (after 3:30 p.m.) usually means shorter waits.
Key Takeaways
- The main Denver driver's license office is at 777 West 57th Avenue and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- You will need a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN to renew or replace a license.
- Satellite locations exist in some Denver neighborhoods but have limited hours and may not handle all transaction types.
- No appointment is required at the main office, but arriving early or late in the day usually means shorter wait times.
- If you are renewing by mail or online, you can skip the office visit entirely if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change.
What documents to bring for a renewal or replacement
If you are renewing your license, bring your current Colorado driver's license (or the expired one if yours is already expired), proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID from another state or country also works.
If you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license, bring the same documents plus a report number if you filed a police report for theft. If you are obtaining a license for the first time in Colorado, bring your birth certificate or passport, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN. You will also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test at the office.
Bring originals or certified copies—photocopies are not accepted. If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring the court order or marriage certificate as proof.
Renewing online or by mail instead of visiting in person
Colorado allows online renewal if your license is not yet expired, you have not had a name change, and your address has not changed. You can renew online through the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles website; the process takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.
Mail renewal is also an option under the same conditions. Request a renewal form from the DMV website or call the main office, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order. Mail renewal takes longer—typically three to four weeks—so plan ahead if your license is expiring soon.
If you do not meet the conditions for online or mail renewal (for example, if your license is already expired or you have a name change), you must visit the office in person.
Getting a REAL ID-compliant license in Denver County
A REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued identification that you will need to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. Colorado driver's licenses issued after May 2017 are REAL ID-compliant by default, but older licenses are not.
To upgrade an older license to REAL ID status, visit the Denver driver's license office in person. Bring the same documents as you would for a renewal, plus an original or certified copy of your birth certificate or passport. The office will verify your identity and residency, and your new REAL ID license will be mailed to you within two weeks. The fee is the same as a standard renewal.
You do not need REAL ID for driving a car or getting a job. It is only required for air travel and federal building access. If you do not fly or visit federal buildings, your standard Colorado driver's license is sufficient.
Handling name changes and address updates
If your name has changed since your last license, you must visit the office in person. Bring your current license, proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your current address. The office will issue a new license with your updated name, usually on the spot or within a few days.
If only your address has changed but your name has not, you can update your address online through the Colorado DMV website without visiting the office. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The address change takes effect when ready for driving purposes, though your physical license will still show the old address until you renew.
What to do if you cannot visit during regular business hours
The main Denver office does not offer evening or weekend hours. If you cannot visit Monday through Friday during business hours, check whether a satellite location near you has different hours—some operate on different schedules than the main office.
If no satellite location works for you, online or mail renewal is your best option, provided your license is not expired and you have not had a name change. If you need an in-person transaction and cannot make regular hours, you may need to take time off work or school to visit.
Some employers and schools will give you time off for DMV visits if you provide proof of your appointment or visit. The DMV office does not issue appointment confirmations, but you can print the office's address and hours from the Colorado DMV website as proof of your visit.
Paying the renewal or replacement fee
Driver's license renewal and replacement fees vary depending on the type of license and how long you want it valid. A standard five-year renewal costs less than a REAL ID upgrade or a replacement for a lost license. The office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards—not checks.
If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order with your process. If you are renewing online, you will pay by debit or credit card during the transaction. Fees are non-refundable once you have submitted your process or visited the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring my Social Security card to the Denver driver's license office?
No. You only need to know your Social Security number or ITIN. Bring your current driver's license or another government-issued ID instead. The office will verify your Social Security number through the system.
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
Yes, but you cannot renew online or by mail—you must visit the office in person. Bring the same documents as you would for a standard renewal. The office will issue a new license, and you can drive legally once you leave with it.
How long does it take to get a replacement license if mine was stolen?
If you visit the office in person, you can usually get a temporary license to drive home the same day. Your permanent replacement license will arrive by mail within two weeks. Bring a police report number if you filed one, though it is not required.
What if I moved to Denver from another state and need a Colorado license?
You must visit the Denver driver's license office in person. Bring your out-of-state driver's license, your birth certificate or passport, proof of your Denver address, and your Social Security number. You will take a vision test and a written knowledge test before receiving your new Colorado license.
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. Colorado allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. You can renew online, by mail, or in person. Renewing early does not cost extra, and your new license will have a new expiration date five years from the renewal date.