Where to go for your driver's license in Weld County
In Weld County, the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles all driver's license services. You cannot get a license through the county government itself — you work directly with the state DMV. The DMV has two full-service offices in Weld County: one in Greeley at 1625 35th Avenue and one in Loveland at 200 West 29th Street. Both locations issue new licenses, renewals, and replacements.
You can also renew your license online or by mail if you meet certain conditions, which often takes less time than visiting an office. The online renewal option is available through the Colorado DMV website if your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions. Mail renewal works similarly but takes longer — typically two to three weeks for processing plus mailing time.
Key Takeaways
- Weld County has two DMV offices — one in Greeley and one in Loveland — and both handle new licenses, renewals, and replacements.
- You can renew online through the Colorado DMV website if your license is current and you have no medical restrictions, which is faster than visiting an office.
- In-person appointments at either office usually require a wait, but you can check current wait times on the DMV website before you go.
- You will need a Real ID-compliant document like a passport or birth certificate, proof of Colorado residency, and proof of your Social Security number to get a new license.
- Fees vary depending on whether you are getting a new license, a renewal, or a replacement, and the DMV website lists current prices.
Documents you need for a new license or first-time renewal
The Colorado DMV requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. For identity, bring a passport, birth certificate, or other state-issued ID. If you bring a birth certificate, it must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy.
For residency, the DMV accepts recent utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, or bank statements showing your current Colorado address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a tax return. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration.
If you are changing your name, bring the legal document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Bring the original or a certified copy; photocopies are not accepted.
Renewing your license by mail or online
Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website is the fastest option if you are renewing a license that is not yet expired and you have no medical restrictions or address changes. You pay the renewal fee online, upload a new photo, and your license arrives by mail in about one to two weeks. You do not need to visit an office.
Mail renewal takes longer but works the same way. You read the renewal form from the DMV website, print it, include a new photo and a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything to the address on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks, then another week or more for mailing. Mail renewal is useful if you cannot visit an office during business hours.
If your license has expired, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must visit an office in person. The same applies if you have medical restrictions, a name change, or an address change that requires verification.
Getting an appointment or managing wait times
Both the Greeley and Loveland DMV offices accept walk-ins, but wait times vary by day and time of day. The Colorado DMV website shows current wait times for each location, updated throughout the day. You can check before you leave home to pick the office with the shorter wait.
You can also schedule an appointment online through the DMV website. Appointments usually have shorter waits than walk-ins, though appointment slots fill up days or weeks in advance depending on how busy the office is. If no appointments are available, you can add yourself to a waitlist and the DMV will notify you when a slot opens.
Mornings on weekdays tend to have shorter waits than afternoons or weekends. If you have flexibility, going early in the week — Monday through Wednesday — usually means less waiting than Thursday or Friday.
Real ID requirements and what they mean
Colorado driver's licenses now come in two types: standard licenses and Real ID-compliant licenses. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards. Starting May 2025, you will need a Real ID license to board a domestic airplane or enter a federal building.
If you are getting a new license or renewing in person, the DMV will issue you a Real ID license by default if you bring the required documents. You do not have to ask for it or pay extra. If you renew by mail or online, you get a standard license unless you specifically request a Real ID upgrade, which requires an in-person visit.
If you already have a Real ID license, you do not need to do anything. Your current license is valid until its expiration date.
Fees and how long your license lasts
A new driver's license costs one amount, a renewal costs less, and a replacement (if yours is lost or damaged) costs a third amount. The Colorado DMV website lists the exact current fees, which change occasionally. Fees are the same at both the Greeley and Loveland offices.
A standard driver's license is valid for five years from the date you receive it. You can renew it up to one year before it expires. If your license expires, you can still renew it for a period after expiration, but you cannot drive legally with an expired license — you must renew before you use it on the road.
What to do if you lose your license or it is damaged
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you need a replacement. Visit either the Greeley or Loveland DMV office with your proof of identity and residency — the same documents you would bring for a renewal. If your license was stolen, you can report it to the DMV at the time you request the replacement, and they will note it in their system.
A replacement license is issued on the spot if you visit in person, though you may wait in line. You cannot get a replacement by mail or online — you must go to an office. The replacement fee is lower than a new license but higher than a renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes, but you must renew in person at either the Greeley or Loveland office. You cannot renew by mail or online once your license has expired. Bring the same documents you would for a regular renewal — proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.
Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?
Both offices accept walk-ins, but appointments usually have shorter waits. You can schedule an appointment online through the Colorado DMV website, or check the current wait time for each office before you go. If you walk in without an appointment, you may wait anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on how busy the office is.
What if I moved to Weld County from another state?
You need to get a Colorado license within 30 days of moving. Visit either the Greeley or Loveland office with your out-of-state license, proof of Colorado residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You will take a vision test and a written test, then have a new photo taken. Bring your out-of-state license — you do not need to surrender it, but the DMV will note that you have a Colorado license now.
How long does it take to get a license after I visit the office?
If you visit in person for a new license or replacement, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot that you can use to drive when ready. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail in about one to two weeks. For renewals, the timeline is the same — temporary paper license at the office, permanent license by mail within two weeks.
Can I get a Real ID license by mail?
No. Real ID licenses require an in-person visit to one of the DMV offices so they can verify your documents and take a new photo. Standard licenses can be renewed by mail or online, but Real ID upgrades must happen at an office in Greeley or Loveland.