Colorado driver's license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last

A standard Colorado driver's license costs $28.25 if you get a four-year license, or $56.50 for an eight-year license. These are the fees you pay at the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you explore in person. If you renew by mail or online, the cost is the same — the fee does not change based on how you submit your process.

The price covers the license itself and the background check the state runs before issuing it. You do not pay extra for the photo, the card stock, or the lamination. What you see is what you pay.

Colorado also issues Real ID-compliant licenses, which cost the same amount but meet federal requirements for air travel and entry to federal buildings. You do not have to choose Real ID — a standard license works for driving — but the price is identical either way.

Key Takeaways

  • A four-year Colorado driver's license costs $28.25; an eight-year license costs $56.50.
  • The fee is the same whether you explore in person, by mail, or online.
  • Real ID-compliant licenses cost the same as standard licenses.
  • You may also need to pay for a written test, vision test, or driving test if you are explore for your first license or after a suspension.
  • Replacement licenses for a lost or damaged card cost $20.

What the license fee actually covers

The $28.25 or $56.50 you pay covers the physical card, the state's background check, and the processing of your process. It does not include any tests you might need to take. If you are explore for your first Colorado license and have never held a license in another state, you will take a written test and a driving test at the DMV — those tests are included in the fee, but if you fail and need to retake them, you pay $10 per retest.

A vision screening at the DMV is free. If you fail the vision test and need to bring a corrective lens prescription from an eye doctor, that visit is your cost, not the state's.

Choosing between a four-year and eight-year license

The four-year license costs $28.25 and expires four years from the date you receive it. The eight-year license costs $56.50 and lasts eight years. The eight-year option works out to about $7 per year, compared to about $7 per year for the four-year license, so the per-year cost is the same — you are just paying more upfront to avoid renewing as often.

Most people choose based on how long they plan to stay in Colorado or whether they expect their appearance to change significantly (for example, if you are growing out your hair or planning major facial hair changes, a four-year license means a sooner renewal). There is no penalty for choosing either one.

Renewing your license by mail or online

If your Colorado license is still valid and you have not had any suspensions or restrictions added, you can renew by mail or through the Colorado DMV website without visiting an office. The fee is still $28.25 for four years or $56.50 for eight years — no discount for doing it remotely.

Renewing by mail takes about two weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. Online renewal is faster — you can complete it in minutes and your new license ships within a few business days. Both methods require you to upload or mail a new photo, so plan for that step.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license

If your license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, a replacement card costs $20. This is a separate fee from a renewal — you are not paying the full $28.25 or $56.50 again. The replacement license has the same expiration date as your original, so you are just getting a new physical card.

You can order a replacement online through the Colorado DMV website or request one in person at any DMV office. Online replacement takes about a week; in-person replacement is faster if you need the card urgently.

Additional costs you might encounter

If you are explore for your first license and you do not have a Social Security number on file with Colorado, you may need to provide additional documents — but there is no extra fee for that. If you fail your written or driving test and need to retake it, each retest costs $10.

If you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license between renewals, you can request an updated card. A name change due to marriage or court order costs $20 for a replacement. An address change is free if you do it online or by mail, but if you go in person and ask for a new card on the spot, you pay the $20 replacement fee.

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may need to pay reinstatement fees set by the court or the Colorado Department of Revenue — these vary based on why the suspension happened and are separate from the license fee itself.

Where to pay and what documents you need

You can pay the license fee in person at any Colorado DMV office, by mail if you are renewing, or online through the state website. The DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card — the payment method does not change the fee.

For an in-person process, bring a valid photo ID, proof of Colorado residency (a utility bill or lease works), and your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. For renewal by mail or online, you need your current license number and a new photo. The fee is the same regardless of which documents you bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the full license fee if I am under 18?

Yes, the fee is the same for drivers under 18 as it is for adults. A four-year license costs $28.25 and an eight-year license costs $56.50, regardless of age. Some states offer discounts for young drivers, but Colorado does not.

What if I move out of Colorado before my license expires?

You do not get a refund for the unused portion of your license. Once you move to another state, you should get a license from that state. You can keep your Colorado license as a form of ID, but you cannot legally drive with it in another state.

Is there a fee to change my address on my Colorado license?

Changing your address online or by mail is free. If you go to a DMV office and ask for a new card with your updated address printed on it, you pay the $20 replacement fee. If you just update your address in the system without getting a new card, there is no charge.

Do military members or seniors get a discount on license fees?

Colorado does not offer discounts on driver's license fees for military members, veterans, or seniors. The fee is $28.25 for four years or $56.50 for eight years for all drivers.

Can I pay the license fee online before I go to the DMV?

No, you cannot prepay the fee online. You pay when you submit your process — either in person at the DMV, by mail, or through the online renewal system. There is no way to pay in advance.