How to Renew Your Colorado Driver's License

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 DMV office. The online route is fastest — you can finish in minutes if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change or address change that requires verification. If your license is already expired, you must renew in person or by mail. Mail renewal takes about two weeks; in-person renewal is same-day if you go during off-peak hours.

You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method (debit or credit card). If you are renewing by mail, you will mail your physical license along with a check or money order. In person, you bring your license and pay at the counter.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name or address since it was issued.
Mail renewal requires you to send your physical license to the Colorado DMV along with payment, and takes roughly two weeks.
In-person renewal at a DMV office is same-day and works for any renewal situation, including expired licenses.
The renewal fee is the same regardless of method — currently $28.50 for an eight-year license — and you can pay by card online, by check or money order by mail, or by card or cash in person.
Your new license will be mailed to you after any renewal method; you cannot pick it up at the office on the same day.

Renewing online through the Colorado DMV website

Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's driver's license renewal page. You will enter your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and confirm your current address and name.

If the information is correct and your license is not expired, you can proceed to payment. Enter your debit or credit card details and submit. You will receive a confirmation email when ready. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

If the system tells you that you cannot renew online — usually because your license is expired, you changed your name, or you changed your address — you will need to use the mail or in-person method instead.

Renewing by mail

Request a mail renewal form from the Colorado DMV by calling 303-205-5600, or read the form from the DMV website. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number, name, date of birth, and current address.

Place your current physical license in an envelope along with the completed form and a check or money order for $28.50 made payable to "Colorado Department of Revenue." Mail the envelope to the address listed on the form — this is typically the Denver DMV office. Do not send cash.

Mail renewal takes approximately two weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal is faster.

Renewing in person at a Colorado DMV office

Find your nearest DMV office on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Most offices accept walk-ins, but you can also schedule an appointment online to avoid waiting. Bring your current driver's license and a payment method — debit card, credit card, cash, or check.

Tell the staff member you are renewing your license. They will verify your information, take a new photo if required, and process your payment. The entire transaction usually takes 10 to 20 minutes during slow hours (mid-morning on weekdays is typically fastest).

Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will not receive it at the office. If you need to drive before the new license arrives, ask the DMV staff for a temporary paper license — they can issue one on the spot.

What happens if your license is already expired

You cannot renew online if your license has already expired. You must renew by mail or in person. The process is the same as above, but you will be renewing an expired license rather than a current one.

If you are driving with an expired license, you are breaking the law. Stop driving and renew when ready using the mail or in-person method. In-person renewal is the fastest option — you can have a temporary paper license the same day and drive legally while you wait for your new license to arrive by mail.

If you changed your name or address

If you changed your address since your license was issued, you can still renew online as long as your license is not expired. The online system will ask you to confirm your new address, and you will receive your new license at that address.

If you changed your name, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person or by mail. Bring or mail a document that proves your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will verify the document and process your renewal. In-person renewal is faster if you have the document ready.

Renewal fees and payment methods

The renewal fee for a standard eight-year Colorado driver's license is $28.50. This fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher — ask the DMV for the current rate.

Online renewal accepts debit and credit cards only. Mail renewal accepts checks or money orders (not cash). In-person renewal accepts debit cards, credit cards, cash, and checks. If you pay by check or money order, make it payable to "Colorado Department of Revenue."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while I wait for my new license to arrive?

If you renewed in person, ask the DMV staff for a temporary paper license before you leave. You can drive legally with this temporary license while you wait for your new license to arrive by mail. If you renewed online or by mail, you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives — you are driving with an expired license, which is illegal.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online and in-person renewals take 7 to 10 business days for your new license to arrive by mail. Mail renewal takes approximately two weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. If you need your license faster, renew in person and request a temporary paper license.

What if I made a mistake on my renewal form?

If you renewed online or in person, contact the Colorado DMV when ready at 303-205-5600 to report the error. If you renewed by mail and realize you made a mistake before mailing the envelope, correct it and resend. If you already mailed it, call the DMV to see if they can correct it before processing.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

The DMV takes a new photo during in-person renewal. For online and mail renewal, the DMV uses your existing photo from your current license unless you request a new one. If you want a new photo for mail or online renewal, you must renew in person instead.

What if my license was lost or stolen?

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it — you must get a replacement. This is a different process than renewal and requires you to go in person to a DMV office with an ID document. Contact the Colorado DMV for replacement procedures.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.