You can renew your Colorado driver's license up to one year before it expires, and you must renew it before the expiration date on your card

Colorado lets you start the renewal process as early as 12 months before your license expires. This window gives you time to gather documents and complete the renewal without rushing. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, so the actual important date is the expiration date printed on your card — not a grace period after.

The expiration date depends on your age and the type of license you hold. A standard driver's license for someone under 21 expires on their 21st birthday. For adults 21 and older, licenses expire on their birthday in the year shown on the card, typically four or eight years after issuance depending on whether you chose a standard or extended license.

Key Takeaways

  • You can begin renewing your Colorado license up to 12 months before the expiration date on your card.
  • Your license expires on your birthday in the year printed on it, and you cannot drive legally after that date.
  • Colorado sends renewal reminders by mail about 60 days before expiration, though you do not have to wait for the reminder to start.
  • You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office, and the method you choose affects how long processing takes.
  • If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but you may face additional requirements or fines depending on how long it has been expired.

How to find your expiration date

Your expiration date is printed on the front of your Colorado driver's license in the lower right corner. It appears as a month and year — for example, 03/2028 means your license expires in March 2028. This is the date you should use to plan your renewal, not any date you receive in the mail.

If you cannot locate your physical license or need to check before it arrives, you can view your expiration date through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website by logging into your account with your driver's license number and date of birth. This also shows whether you are within the 12-month renewal window.

The 12-month renewal window explained

Starting exactly 12 months before your expiration date, Colorado allows you to begin the renewal process. This does not mean you must renew at that moment — it means you are permitted to. Many people wait until they receive a renewal reminder in the mail, which typically arrives about 60 days before expiration, but you can start earlier if you prefer.

The advantage of renewing early is avoiding the rush near the expiration date. If you know you will be busy or traveling close to your birthday, renewing several months ahead means your new license arrives before you need it. The disadvantage is minimal — your new license will straightforward have a later expiration date, so you are not losing time on the card itself.

What happens if you miss your expiration date

If your license expires and you continue to drive, you are breaking Colorado law. A police officer can cite you for driving with an expired license, which carries a fine. The amount varies but typically ranges from $65 to $100 for a first offense, though this can increase if you are also cited for other violations.

You can still renew an expired license, and the process is the same as renewing before expiration. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles may require you to retake the written test and vision test, similar to a new applicant. If it has been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the driving test as well. Renewing within a few weeks of expiration avoids these extra requirements.

Renewal methods and their timelines

Colorado offers three ways to renew: online, by mail, or in person at a Division of Motor Vehicles office. Each has different processing times, so the method you choose affects when your new license arrives.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are within the 12-month window and meet certain requirements. You must have a valid Social Security number on file, a current Colorado address, and no changes to your name or address since your last license. Online renewal takes about 7 to 10 business days from submission to delivery. You pay the renewal fee online and receive your new license by mail.

Mail renewal requires you to send your current license and a completed process form to the Division of Motor Vehicles. You can read the form from the Colorado DMV website or request one by mail. Mail renewal typically takes 4 to 6 weeks because the form must travel to the office, be processed, and your new license must be mailed back to you. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee.

In-person renewal at a Division of Motor Vehicles office is the slowest for getting your license but the fastest for completing the transaction itself. You bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment, and you walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed. The permanent license usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal is useful if your license expires very soon or if you need proof of renewal when ready.

Documents and fees you will need

The documents required depend on whether you are renewing online, by mail, or in person, and whether anything about your identity or address has changed since your last license.

For online renewal, you typically need only your current license number and date of birth. No documents are mailed in. The fee is paid by credit or debit card during the online process.

For mail renewal, you need your current license, a completed process form (available on the Colorado DMV website), and payment by check or money order. If your address has changed, you also need proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.

For in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment by cash, check, card, or money order. The specific fee depends on the type of license and how many years you are renewing for, but standard renewals range from $30 to $50.

What to do if your renewal is delayed

If you submitted your renewal process but your new license has not arrived by your expiration date, contact the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles to check the status. You can call their customer service line or check online using your process number if you have it. Do not assume the renewal failed — mail delays are common, especially during busy seasons.

While you wait for your new license, you can drive legally if you have proof that you submitted a renewal process before your expiration date. Keep a copy of your online confirmation, your mailed process receipt, or your in-person temporary paper license with you. If you are stopped by police, show this proof along with your expired license to demonstrate that you have a pending renewal. This does not may provide you will not be cited, but it shows good faith effort to comply with the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado license if I moved out of state?

No. You must be a Colorado resident to hold a Colorado driver's license. If you have moved to another state, you need to obtain a license from that state instead. You can renew your Colorado license only if you still live in Colorado or are a member of the military stationed outside Colorado.

What if my name changed since my last license?

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, you cannot renew online. You must renew by mail or in person and provide a certified copy of the document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Bring this document with you or mail it with your process.

Do I have to renew in person if I am over 70?

Colorado requires drivers over 70 to renew in person at a Division of Motor Vehicles office every four years instead of every eight years. You cannot renew online or by mail once you reach 70. Plan to visit an office during your renewal window to complete the process and have your vision tested.

Can I renew early if I am about to travel?

Yes. If you are within the 12-month renewal window, you can renew online or by mail before you travel. Online renewal is fastest if you need your new license quickly. If you are not yet in the 12-month window, you can renew in person at a Division of Motor Vehicles office to receive a temporary paper license when ready, though this is typically only done if your license is expiring very soon.

What happens to my old license after I renew?

When you receive your new license by mail, your old license is no longer valid. You can destroy it or keep it for your records. If you renewed in person, the Division of Motor Vehicles keeps your old license on file. You do not need to return it or do anything with it.