What You Need to Do to Renew in Colorado
Colorado lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles office. The online route is fastest — you can finish in about 10 minutes if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change or address change that requires verification. If you cannot renew online, the mail option takes about two weeks. In-person renewal at an office takes a few hours but handles complications the other methods cannot.
Your license is valid for eight years from the date it was issued. Colorado sends you a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration, though you do not have to wait for it to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website works only if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and your address on file is current.
- Mail renewal requires a completed form, your current license, and a check or money order, and takes about two weeks to receive your new license.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office handles address changes, name changes, and vision tests, but requires an appointment that you book online first.
- The renewal fee is $31.50 for an eight-year license, and Colorado accepts cash, check, money order, or debit and credit cards depending on your renewal method.
- If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online and must use mail or in-person renewal instead.
Renewing Online Through the Colorado DMV Website
Go to dmv.colorado.gov and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the homepage. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will pull up your record and show you the information Colorado has on file.
Review your name, address, and date of birth carefully. If any of this information is wrong, stop and use the mail or in-person method instead — the online system cannot correct these details. If everything matches, you can proceed to pay the $31.50 renewal fee using a debit or credit card. Colorado will mail your new license to the address on file, and it typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal is not available if your license has already expired, if you have changed your name since your last license was issued, or if you need to update your address. You also cannot renew online if you wear corrective lenses and your vision prescription has changed significantly — Colorado may require a new vision test.
Renewing by Mail
Request a renewal process by calling the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600, or read the form from dmv.colorado.gov. The form is called the "process for Driver's License" (Form DL-43). Fill it out completely, sign it, and include your current Colorado driver's license.
Mail the completed form, your license, and a check or money order for $31.50 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with postage if you want your old license back. Colorado processes mail renewals in the order they arrive, and your new license should reach you in about two weeks. If you do not receive it within three weeks, call 303-205-5600 to check the status.
Mail renewal works for address changes and is slower than online renewal, but it avoids a trip to an office. However, if you have changed your name or need a vision test, you will still need to go in person.
Renewing in Person at a DMV Office
Book an appointment online at dmv.colorado.gov or call 303-205-5600. Walk-ins are not accepted at most offices, and appointment slots fill up quickly, so book as soon as you know you need to renew. Bring your current Colorado driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the $31.50 fee.
If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you wear corrective lenses, be prepared for a vision test at the office. Colorado will test your vision as part of the renewal process if your prescription has changed or if you did not pass the last test.
The appointment itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will have your photo taken, sign your new license, and pay the fee. Colorado will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days, depending on the office. Ask which option applies when you arrive.
What Happens If Your License Has Already Expired
You cannot renew online once your license has expired. You must use the mail method or go in person. The process is the same, but you will need to bring additional documents to prove your identity and residency. Bring your expired license, a second form of ID (a passport, military ID, or state ID), and proof of your current address.
Some offices may require you to retake the written knowledge test if your license has been expired for more than a year. Call your local DMV office before you go to ask whether you will need to take the test. If you do, you can study the Colorado Driver's Handbook on the DMV website before your appointment.
Payment Methods and Fees
The renewal fee is $31.50 for an eight-year license. Colorado accepts different payment methods depending on how you renew. Online renewal accepts debit and credit cards only. Mail renewal accepts checks and money orders only — do not send cash. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.
If you are renewing in person and need to make a name or address change, there are no additional fees beyond the $31.50 renewal cost. If you need a replacement license before your renewal is processed (for example, if your license was lost or stolen), you can request an interim license at an office for an additional fee.
Timeline and What to Expect Next
Online renewal is the fastest option — your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes about two weeks. In-person renewal either gives you your license on the spot or mails it within a few days. If you are renewing before your current license expires, you can use your old license until the new one arrives.
Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records — Colorado does not require you to return it. Your new license will have a new expiration date eight years from the date it was issued. You can check the status of a mailed renewal by calling 303-205-5600 and providing your driver's license number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I live out of state now?
Yes. You can renew by mail or online if you still have a valid Colorado license and meet the other requirements. If you have moved to another state and want to switch to that state's license, you will need to contact that state's DMV instead. Colorado will not renew a license for someone who is no longer a Colorado resident and has obtained a license in another state.
What if my address changed since my last license?
If your address changed, you cannot renew online. Use the mail method or go in person. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The DMV will update your address and issue a new license with the correct information.
Do I need a new vision test to renew?
Not always. If you renew online or by mail and your vision prescription has not changed, you do not need a test. If you renew in person, Colorado may test your vision as part of the process. If you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed significantly, you may be required to take a vision test regardless of your renewal method.
What if I lost my current license before I could renew it?
You cannot renew a license you do not have. Instead, you need to request a replacement license at a DMV office in person. Bring a second form of ID and proof of your address. The replacement fee is separate from the renewal fee. Once you have the replacement, you can then renew it through any method.
How long is my license valid after I renew it?
Your new license is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. Colorado will send you a renewal notice about 60 days before it expires. You can renew up to one year before expiration, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.