Where to go for your driver's license in Denver

In Denver, you get your driver's license at the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), not at a city office. The main Denver location is at 405 South Kipling Street, but Colorado also runs a second location at 7151 East Lowry Boulevard if one is busier than the other. You can visit either one — they handle the same services and use the same rules.

Before you go in person, check the wait times on the Colorado DMV website. Both Denver locations post current wait times throughout the day, and you can also schedule an appointment online instead of walking in. An appointment usually means a shorter wait, though some people still choose to come without one.

The DMV is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. If you cannot take time off work on a weekday, you will need to plan ahead — there is no Saturday or evening option in Denver.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person; Denver has two locations that handle all driver's license services.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of Colorado residency (like a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity (like a passport or birth certificate).
  • A standard Colorado driver's license costs $26.50 and is valid for five years; a REAL ID-compliant license costs $31.50 and is valid for five years.
  • You can schedule an appointment online to reduce wait time, or check live wait times before you go.
  • If you are renewing, you may be able to renew by mail or online if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change or address change in the last four years.

What documents you need to bring

The Colorado DMV requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Colorado residency. You do not need all three from the same source — you can mix and match.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa, a military ID, or a tribal ID. If you do not have any of these, the DMV has a longer list of secondary documents, but it is easier to bring one of the main ones if you can.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from ssa.gov. A tax return with your SSN also works.

For proof of Colorado residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your current Denver address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from your employer or school counts if it has your address on it.

Getting a standard license versus a REAL ID

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

A standard Colorado driver's license costs $26.50, is valid for five years, and works for driving and state ID purposes. You cannot use it to board a domestic flight or enter a federal courthouse or military base — you would need a passport instead.

A REAL ID-compliant license costs $31.50, is valid for five years, and has a gold star in the top right corner. It works for all the same purposes as a standard license, plus you can use it to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. If you fly within the United States, getting a REAL ID now saves you from having to carry your passport every time.

Both types require the same documents and the same in-person visit. The only difference is the $5 fee and the gold star. You choose which one when you fill out your process at the DMV.

The cost and how long it lasts

A standard Colorado driver's license costs $26.50 and is valid for five years from the date you receive it. A REAL ID license costs $31.50 and is also valid for five years. These prices are set by the state and do not vary by location.

When your license expires, you will need to renew it. If your license has been expired for more than a year, you cannot renew by mail or online — you have to go back to the DMV in person and take the written test and vision test again. If it has been expired for less than a year, you can usually renew by mail or online without retesting.

The DMV will mail your new license to your address on file. Standard processing takes about two weeks. If you need it faster, you can pay extra for expedited mail, though the DMV does not issue licenses on the spot.

Renewing your license by mail or online

If your current license is not expired and you have not changed your name or address in the last four years, you can renew by mail or online without visiting the DMV. This is the fastest and easiest route if you are may be able to access.

To renew online, go to the Colorado DMV website, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, and follow the steps. You will pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card, and your new license will be mailed to you in about two weeks.

To renew by mail, call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 and ask them to mail you a renewal form. Fill it out, send it back with a check or money order, and they will process it and mail your new license. This takes longer than online renewal — usually three to four weeks total.

If your license has expired, or if you have moved or changed your name, you cannot use mail or online renewal. You have to go to the DMV in person.

Taking the written test and vision test

If you are getting your first license or if your license has been expired for more than a year, you have to take a written test and a vision test at the DMV.

The written test covers Colorado traffic laws and safe driving practices. You can study using the Colorado Driver's Manual, which is free on the DMV website. The test has 25 questions, and you need to answer at least 20 correctly to pass. You get one attempt per visit — if you fail, you can come back another day and try again.

The vision test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. You read letters on a chart from a certain distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you will be told what to do next — sometimes you need a doctor's note saying your vision is correctable to the required level.

What to expect during your visit

When you arrive at the DMV, check in at the front desk and give them your documents. They will verify that everything is there and correct. If something is missing or wrong, they will tell you what you need to fix before you can proceed.

Next, you will go to a window to fill out your process form (the DL-44 form for a new license, or the DL-43 form for a renewal). The staff will help you if you have questions. You will choose whether you want a standard license or a REAL ID license at this point.

Then you will have your photo taken and your vision tested. If you need to take the written test, you will do that on a computer at a kiosk. After you pass, you will pay the fee and be done. Your new license will be mailed to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my new one in the mail?

No. Colorado does not issue temporary licenses. The DMV will give you a receipt showing you have applied, which some employers or police officers will accept as proof, but it is not an official temporary license. Your new license will arrive in about two weeks.

What if I lost my license or it was stolen?

Report it to the Colorado DMV by calling 303-205-5600. Then go to the DMV in person with your documents and ask for a replacement. You will pay the same fee as a renewal and get a new license mailed to you. Bring a police report if you have one, though it is not required.

Do I need to take the written test again if I am renewing in person?

Only if your license has been expired for more than a year. If it expired less than a year ago, you can renew without retesting. If it is still valid, you can renew by mail or online and skip the test entirely.

Can I change my address at the DMV without getting a new license?

Yes. You can update your address on your existing license by visiting the DMV and paying a small fee, or by calling 303-205-5600 to update it over the phone. You do not have to wait until your license expires.

What if I have a name change due to marriage or court order?

Bring your marriage certificate or court order along with your other documents to the DMV. You will have to go in person and get a new license with your new name. The fee is the same as a renewal.