Where to get your driver license in Denver

In Denver, you get your driver license from the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The main Denver office is located at 405 South Cherry Street, Denver, CO 80246. You cannot get a Colorado driver license from any other office — not from your city hall, your county clerk, or any private service.

The DMV office in Denver is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. You can walk in without an appointment, but wait times vary. On some days you may wait 30 minutes; on others, two hours or more. The DMV website shows current wait times before you go.

If you cannot reach the Denver office, there is a second location in the metro area at 7151 West 85th Avenue in Arvada, about 20 minutes north. Both offices issue the same license and follow the same rules.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to the DMV office in person.
  • A new Colorado driver license costs $28.75 and is valid for five years if you are under 21, or eight years if you are 21 or older.
  • You must pass a written test on traffic laws and a driving test before you receive your license, unless you are renewing an existing Colorado license.
  • The DMV office at 405 South Cherry Street in Denver is the main location; walk-ins are accepted, and current wait times are posted online.
  • If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course and hold a permit for at least 12 months before you can take the driving test.

Documents you need to bring

Bring one document that proves your identity. A passport, military ID, or an out-of-state driver license all work. If you do not have any of these, a birth certificate plus a second form of ID — such as a school ID, employee badge, or tribal ID — will work instead.

You also need proof that you live in Colorado. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address will work. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency, such as a tax return or voter registration card, also counts.

Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. You will also need to fill out an process form at the DMV — you can read it ahead of time from the Colorado DMV website, or you can fill it out when you arrive.

The written test and driving test

If you are getting your first Colorado driver license, you must pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs. The test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. You can take the test on a computer at the DMV office. The test is offered in English and Spanish.

After you pass the written test, you must schedule a driving test. The DMV will give you a list of testing locations and available times. You must bring your own vehicle to the driving test, and the vehicle must be registered, insured, and in working condition. The test takes about 30 minutes and covers basic driving skills such as parking, turning, and stopping.

If you fail either test, you can retake it. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you must pay the test fee again. The written test costs $10.50 and the driving test costs $18.25.

If you are under 18

Colorado requires anyone under 18 to complete a driver education course before they can get a permit. The course can be taken online or in person through a private driving school. After you finish the course, you bring your completion certificate to the DMV and take the written test to get your permit.

Once you have your permit, you must hold it for at least 12 months and drive at least 50 hours (10 of them at night) with a licensed adult before you can take the driving test. You cannot take the driving test until you have held your permit for the full 12 months, even if you have completed the 50 hours of driving.

A permit costs $8.75 and is valid for two years. When you pass your driving test, you exchange your permit for a full driver license.

Cost and how long it takes

A new Colorado driver license costs $28.75. If you are taking the written test, add $10.50. If you are taking the driving test, add $18.25. So a first-time license with both tests costs $57.50 total.

The written test is usually given the same day you visit the DMV office. The driving test is scheduled for a later date — usually within two to four weeks, depending on how busy the testing locations are. Once you pass the driving test, you receive your license on the spot or by mail within a few days.

A Colorado driver license is valid for five years if you are under 21, or eight years if you are 21 or older. You can renew it by mail or online if you have not had any changes to your name, address, or medical conditions.

If you already have a license from another state

If you have a valid driver license from another state and you are moving to Colorado, you can exchange it for a Colorado license without taking the written or driving test. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN to the DMV office.

The exchange costs $28.75, the same as a new license. You will get a new Colorado license that is valid for the same length of time as your out-of-state license would have been, up to the Colorado maximum of eight years.

If your out-of-state license has expired, you will need to take the written test and driving test, just as if you were getting your first license. Bring all the same documents listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado driver license online or by mail?

Yes, if your license is not expired and you have not had any changes to your name, address, or medical conditions. You can renew online through the Colorado DMV website or by mail. Online renewal costs $28.75 and takes about one week. By mail, it takes two to three weeks.

What if I lose my driver license or it gets damaged?

Go to the DMV office and bring your proof of identity and proof of Colorado residency. A replacement license costs $20.25. You do not need to take any tests. You will receive your new license on the spot or by mail within a few days.

Do I need to take a vision test at the DMV?

Yes. The DMV will test your vision as part of the license process. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you may be required to see an eye doctor and bring a vision report to the DMV before you can get your license.

Can I get a Real ID driver license in Colorado?

Yes. A Real ID is a federal standard that allows you to use your driver license to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. It costs the same as a regular Colorado driver license ($28.75) and requires the same documents, plus one additional document showing your Social Security number or ITIN. Ask the DMV staff which option you want when you explore.

What if I have a medical condition that affects my driving?

Tell the DMV staff when you explore. Depending on your condition, you may need a letter from your doctor, or you may be required to take a special driving test. The DMV will tell you what is needed based on your situation.