What you need to do to renew your Colorado driver's license

You can renew your Colorado driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you can't renew online, you'll need to visit a DMV office or mail in an process, which takes longer but follows a straightforward process.

Your renewal notice arrives by mail about 45 days before your license expires. That notice contains a code you'll need if you renew online. If you've lost the notice or it never arrived, you can still renew in person or by mail using your driver's license number and other identifying information.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website takes 10 minutes and costs $28 for a five-year license, but you must have a valid Social Security number and a Colorado address on file.
  • Your renewal notice arrives 45 days before expiration and includes a code needed for online renewal; if you've lost it, you can renew in person or by mail instead.
  • In-person renewal at a DMV office requires a current ID, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number, and appointments are recommended to avoid long waits.
  • Mail-in renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks and requires the same documents as in-person renewal, plus a completed process form and payment.
  • If your license is expired by more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online and must visit a DMV office in person.

Renewing online through the Colorado DMV website

Online renewal is available only if your license expires within the next 90 days, you have a valid Social Security number on file, and your address in the DMV system matches your current Colorado address. Go to the Colorado DMV website (dmv.colorado.gov), select "Renew Your Driver's License," and enter your driver's license number and the renewal code from your notice.

You'll answer questions about any changes to your information — such as a new address, name change, or organ donor status — and review your photo. The system will not take a new photo for online renewal; it uses your current one. Pay the renewal fee ($28 for a five-year license or $16 for a three-year license) by debit or credit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

If you don't have your renewal notice or the code, you cannot renew online. In that case, visit a DMV office or mail in an process instead.

Renewing in person at a Colorado DMV office

Visit any Colorado DMV office with your current driver's license, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number or card. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. You do not need to bring your Social Security card if you can provide the number.

Book an appointment through the Colorado DMV website before you go — walk-ins are accepted but appointments move faster and reduce wait times. At your appointment, a staff member will verify your information, take a new photo, and process your payment. The fee is $28 for a five-year license or $16 for a three-year license. You'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your plastic card will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

If you've moved recently and your address in the DMV system is outdated, bring two pieces of proof of your new address. If you've changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Renewing by mail

Request a mail-in renewal process by calling the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 or visiting a DMV office in person. You can also read the process (Form DL-44) from the Colorado DMV website. Complete the form, sign it, and gather your documents: a copy of your current driver's license (front and back), proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number.

Mail the completed process, copies of your documents, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your process. You'll receive a temporary paper license by mail, and your plastic card will follow once processing is complete.

Mail-in renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than one year. If that's your case, you must renew in person at a DMV office.

What to do if your license has been expired for more than a year

If your license expired more than 12 months ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. Bring your expired driver's license, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number or card. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, but staff will verify that your expired license is still valid for renewal rather than requiring you to take a written test.

Book an appointment before you go to avoid a long wait. Processing time is the same as a standard renewal — you'll receive a temporary paper license at the office and your plastic card by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Fees and payment methods

A five-year Colorado driver's license costs $28. A three-year license costs $16. These are the standard renewal fees; they do not change based on your age or driving record. If you renew online or in person, you can pay by debit card, credit card, or cash (in-person only). If you renew by mail, you must pay by check or money order.

The DMV does not accept payment plans or partial payments. You must pay the full renewal fee at the time you submit your process or complete your transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I've moved out of Colorado?

No. You must have a current Colorado address to renew a Colorado driver's license. If you've moved to another state, you'll need to obtain a driver's license from that state instead. Contact your new state's DMV for information about explore.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

Bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — along with your other renewal documents. The DMV will update your name in the system and print it on your new license.

How long can I drive on my temporary paper license?

Your temporary paper license is valid until your plastic card arrives by mail. If your plastic card doesn't arrive within 10 business days, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to report the delay.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Yes. Outstanding tickets or fines do not prevent you from renewing your driver's license. However, the DMV may suspend your license if you fail to pay a fine or appear in court. Check your status before renewing by contacting the Colorado DMV or the court that issued the ticket.

What if I want to change my photo during renewal?

Online renewal uses your current photo and does not allow you to take a new one. If you want a new photo, renew in person at a DMV office. A staff member will take a new photo as part of the in-person renewal process at no extra cost.