Aurora has two Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles offices you can visit in person
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operates two locations in Aurora where you can renew, replace, or obtain a driver's license. The main Aurora office is at 13451 East Alameda Avenue, and a second location serves the northeast part of the city. Both offices handle the same services — license renewals, replacements, address changes, and new license applications — but hours and wait times vary between them.
You do not need an appointment at either location, though Colorado's DMV website allows you to check current wait times before you go. Walk-in service is available during posted business hours, which typically run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though hours can shift seasonally or for holidays. Saturday hours are not offered at Aurora locations.
The office you choose depends on which part of Aurora you live in and which hours work for your schedule. Both locations require the same documents and process applications the same way, so either one will complete your transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Aurora's main DMV office is at 13451 East Alameda Avenue, with a second location in northeast Aurora; both handle driver's licenses and do not require appointments.
- Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no Saturday service; check the Colorado DMV website for current wait times before you visit.
- You will need proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN to renew or obtain a license.
- License renewals by mail are available if you have not had any violations or address changes and your license is not expired by more than five years.
- Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards can be ordered the same day you visit, though processing times vary.
What documents to bring to the Aurora DMV office
Colorado requires three categories of documents for any driver's license transaction: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or tribal ID. If you do not have a passport or military ID, you can use a combination of documents — for example, a birth certificate plus a Social Security card, or a school ID plus a utility bill.
Proof of Colorado residency must be a document dated within the last 60 days showing your current address. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, and insurance documents all work. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. If you have recently moved and your utility bill is not yet in your name, bring your lease or a signed statement from your landlord confirming your address.
Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your ITIN. If you do not have either, you can complete an affidavit at the office, though this may slow your transaction. Bring your current driver's license if you are renewing or replacing it, or bring any out-of-state license if you are converting from another state.
Renewing your license in person versus by mail
If your license is still valid and you have not had any violations, address changes, or name changes, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. Colorado sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a prepaid envelope and instructions for mailing your process and fee directly to the DMV. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks.
Renewing in person at the Aurora office takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on wait times, and you receive your new license on the same day (though you may need to wait for it to be printed). In-person renewal is required if your license has expired by more than five years, if you have had a violation or suspension, if you have changed your name or address, or if you want to update your photo.
Mail renewal costs less than in-person renewal in some cases, but the tradeoff is time — if you need your license quickly, the office is faster. Check the Colorado DMV website for the current fee for your transaction type before you go.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can report it and order a replacement at either Aurora office. Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and Social Security number or ITIN, just as you would for a renewal. The DMV will issue you a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your replacement card is printed and mailed to your address.
The replacement card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the card arrives, the temporary license is sufficient for law enforcement and is recognized by most businesses. If your license was stolen, you may also want to report the theft to local police, though this is not required by the DMV.
If your license was damaged but still readable, you can still exchange it for a replacement. Bring the damaged card with you to the office.
Address changes and name changes on your license
If you have moved within Colorado, you must update your address with the DMV within 30 days of moving. You can do this at either Aurora office by bringing your proof of new residency and your current license. The DMV will issue you a new license with your updated address on the same day. There is a fee for this service, which you can find on the Colorado DMV website.
If you have changed your name — through marriage, divorce, court order, or other legal means — you must bring proof of the name change along with your identity and residency documents. Acceptable proof includes a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will issue a new license with your updated name the same day.
You cannot update your address or name online in Colorado; both changes require an in-person visit to an office or submission by mail. If you prefer mail, include your proof documents with your request and send them to the address on the Colorado DMV website.
Getting a new license if you are moving to Colorado from another state
If you have just moved to Colorado from another state, you must obtain a Colorado driver's license within 30 days. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Colorado residency (dated within 60 days), proof of identity, and your Social Security number or ITIN. You will also need to pass a vision test at the office; bring your glasses or contacts if you use them.
You do not need to retake the written driving test or the road test unless your out-of-state license has been suspended or revoked, or unless Colorado's system shows violations on your record. The office will run a check of your driving history from your previous state and will tell you if any additional testing is required.
Your new Colorado license will be issued on the same day. Some states allow you to keep your out-of-state license as a form of ID, but Colorado does not recognize it once you have obtained a Colorado license.
Wait times and how to check them before you visit
The Colorado DMV website displays current wait times for both Aurora locations, updated throughout the day. You can check wait times without making an appointment — the information is public and refreshes every 15 to 30 minutes. If one location has a significantly shorter wait, you can choose to visit that office instead.
Wait times are typically shortest on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and longest on Friday afternoons and the first few days of the month (when many people renew licenses). If you have flexibility in your schedule, visiting mid-week in the morning will usually get you through faster.
If the wait time is longer than you want to spend, you can return later the same day or come back another day. There is no penalty for not completing your transaction on your first visit, and you can start over whenever you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online in Colorado?
Colorado does not offer online license renewal. You can renew by mail if your license is still valid and you have no violations or address changes, or you can renew in person at the Aurora office. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks; in-person renewal is completed the same day.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you have neither, you can complete an affidavit at the office stating that you do not have a Social Security number or ITIN. This may add time to your transaction, so arrive early if you plan to use this option.
Do I need an appointment to visit the Aurora DMV office?
No. Both Aurora locations accept walk-ins during posted business hours. You can check wait times on the Colorado DMV website before you go, but appointments are not required or offered.
How long does it take to get a replacement license in the mail?
Replacement licenses typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You receive a temporary paper license on the same day you visit the office, valid for 30 days while you wait for the card to arrive.
What if my address proof is older than 60 days?
You will need a different document that is dated within the last 60 days. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, bring your lease, a signed statement from your landlord, or a recent piece of mail from a government agency showing your new address.