Colorado driver licenses renew every 10 years, and you can complete the process online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office

Colorado's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you renew your driver license without visiting an office if your license is still valid and you meet a few basic conditions. The online renewal takes about 15 minutes and costs $28.25. If you cannot renew online — because your license is expired, suspended, or you need to update your address or name — you will need to go to a DMV office in person or mail in your documents.

Your renewal important date is your birthday. Colorado does not send renewal reminders, so you are responsible for tracking when your license expires. You can check your expiration date on the front of your license or log into your DMV account at dmv.colorado.gov.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal works only if your current license is valid, you have not changed your address or legal name, and you have a valid email address on file with the DMV.
  • The online renewal fee is $28.25 and takes about 15 minutes; your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • If your license is expired, suspended, or you need to update personal information, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office requires a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number; the process takes 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Mail-in renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you do not need to update your address or name.

Online renewal: the fastest option if your information has not changed

To renew online, go to dmv.colorado.gov, select "Renew Your Driver License," and log into your account using your driver license number and date of birth. You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history. Colorado uses a third-party identity verification service for this step, so the questions may ask about past addresses, loan amounts, or credit accounts.

Once you pass identity verification, you will review your current information, confirm it is correct, and pay the $28.25 renewal fee by credit or debit card. You cannot change your address, name, or other personal details online. If any information is wrong, you must cancel the online renewal and go to a DMV office instead.

After you complete the online renewal, the DMV mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your expired license until your new one arrives.

In-person renewal at a DMV office: required when your information has changed

If your address, legal name, or other personal information has changed since your last license was issued, you must renew in person. You will also need to go to an office if your license is expired, suspended, or revoked. Bring three documents: a valid form of identification (passport, military ID, or another state's driver license), proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form).

Visit dmv.colorado.gov, select "Find a DMV Office," and choose the location nearest you. Many offices accept walk-ins, but you can also schedule an appointment online to reduce wait time. The renewal process takes 30 to 45 minutes. The fee is $28.25, and you can pay by cash, check, or card.

You will receive your new license on the spot if you renew in person. The DMV takes a new photo during the visit unless you have a medical reason to use your previous photo.

Mail-in renewal: an option only if your license expired recently

Mail-in renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than five years ago and your address and name have not changed. To renew by mail, contact your local DMV office or read the renewal form from dmv.colorado.gov. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $28.25 payable to the Colorado DMV, and mail both to the address listed on the form.

Processing mail-in renewals takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail after processing is complete. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use mail-in renewal and must go to a DMV office in person.

What to do if your license is suspended or revoked

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license online or by mail. You must go to a DMV office in person. Before you renew, you need to resolve the reason for the suspension or revocation — usually unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or a medical suspension. Contact the DMV office handling your case to find out what you owe or what steps you need to take.

Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew your license at any DMV office. Bring the same documents required for in-person renewal: valid ID, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The renewal fee is still $28.25.

Changing your address or name during renewal

If you have moved or changed your legal name, you must update this information during renewal. You cannot do this online. Go to a DMV office in person and bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days) and proof of your legal name change (marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree). The renewal fee remains $28.25.

If you are renewing by mail and your address has changed, you must go to an office instead. The DMV will not mail your new license to an address that differs from the one on file without verifying the change in person.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your Colorado driver license up to 180 days before it expires. Renewing early does not extend your renewal cycle — your new license will still expire 10 years from the date you renew, not 10 years from your original expiration date. This means if you renew six months early, your next renewal will be due nine and a half years later, not 10 years.

Early renewal is useful if you are traveling and want a fresh license, or if you are changing your address and want to update it before your current license expires. The fee and process are the same whether you renew early or on your expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado driver license if I have an out-of-state address?

No. Colorado requires you to be a resident to hold a Colorado driver license. If you have moved out of state, you must get a driver license from your new state instead. If you still live in Colorado but have a temporary out-of-state address, contact your local DMV office to discuss your options.

What happens if I drive after my license expires?

Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in Colorado. If you are stopped, you can be cited and fined. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it by mail or online and must go to a DMV office in person.

How long does the identity verification step take during online renewal?

The identity verification questions usually take 2 to 5 minutes to answer. If you cannot answer the security questions or the system cannot verify your identity, the online renewal will fail and you will need to renew in person at a DMV office instead.

Can I renew my license if I owe traffic fines or child support?

If you owe unpaid traffic fines or child support, your license may be suspended. You cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the DMV or the agency that suspended your license to find out what you owe and how to resolve it.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail, the DMV uses your current photo. If you renew in person at a DMV office, the DMV takes a new photo unless you have a medical reason to keep your old one. You can request to keep your current photo by telling the DMV staff before the photo is taken.