Colorado's renewal timeline and how to know your important date
Your Colorado driver's license expires on your birthday, and you need to renew it before that date to keep driving legally. The state gives you a window to renew: you can start the process up to one year before your license expires, and you have a grace period of up to 30 days after expiration if you need to renew in person at a DMV office. If you let it lapse beyond 30 days, you will have to take the written test and vision test again, not just renew.
The exact renewal important date is printed on the front of your license — look for the date that says "Expires." That date is always your birthday. If your birthday is March 15, your license expires on March 15 of whatever year it was issued for, and you should renew before that day arrives.
Colorado issues licenses on different schedules depending on your age and license type. Most adult licenses are valid for five years. If you are over 65, your license is valid for four years. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) have their own renewal schedule, usually every four years for medical certification reasons.
Key Takeaways
- Your Colorado driver's license expires on your birthday, and the expiration date is printed on the front of your card.
- You can start the renewal process up to one year before your license expires, either online or at a DMV office.
- If you renew online, you must do so before your license expires; there is no grace period for online renewal.
- If you miss your expiration date, you have 30 days to renew in person at a DMV office without retaking the written and vision tests.
- After 30 days past expiration, you will need to pass the written test and vision test again, as if you were a new driver.
Renewing online before your birthday
Colorado's online renewal system is the fastest route if your license is not expired yet. You can renew through the Colorado Department of Revenue website starting one year before your expiration date. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $28.75 for a standard five-year renewal, and you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal works only if you meet these conditions: your license is not yet expired, you have no medical restrictions or changes to your information, you are not changing your address, and you are not renewing a commercial license. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, you will need to renew in person at a DMV office instead.
To renew online, you will need your current Colorado driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a payment method (debit or credit card). The system will ask you to confirm your address and emergency contact information. Once you submit, you cannot make changes, so double-check everything before you hit the final button.
Renewing in person at a Colorado DMV office
If you cannot renew online, or if you prefer to renew in person, you can visit any Colorado DMV office. You have until 30 days after your expiration date to renew in person without retaking tests. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and payment ($28.75 for a standard renewal). If you are changing your address, bring a document showing your new address.
Walk-in appointments are available at most DMV offices, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day. You can also schedule an appointment online through the Colorado DMV website, which usually reduces your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes. The appointment system shows you available times at each office near you.
If you are renewing after your license has expired but within the 30-day grace period, bring the same documents. You will not need to retake the written test or vision test. If you are renewing more than 30 days after expiration, you will need to take both tests, so plan for a longer visit and bring your glasses or contacts if you use them.
What happens if you miss the 30-day grace period
If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, you cannot use the online renewal system, and you will need to retake the written test and vision test when you renew in person. This is treated as a renewal with testing, not a straightforward renewal, so the process takes longer and may cost more depending on your age and license type.
You will still need your proof of residency and payment, but you should also bring your glasses or contacts if you use them for driving. The vision test is the same one new drivers take. The written test covers Colorado traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the Colorado Driver Handbook, which is available free on the DMV website.
There is no penalty for renewing late beyond the inconvenience of retaking tests. You can still drive legally once you pass the tests and receive your new license, even if your old one expired months ago. However, driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation, so it is best to renew before or shortly after your expiration date.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)
Colorado commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a DMV office; there is no online option. CDLs expire on your birthday just like regular licenses, but the renewal window and testing requirements depend on your medical certification status. Most CDLs are valid for four years, and you must renew before your expiration date.
To renew a CDL, you will need your current license, proof of residency, a current medical certificate (MCSA-5871 form) signed by a certified medical examiner, and payment. The cost varies but is typically higher than a standard license renewal. You will need to pass a vision test and may need to pass the written test again depending on your endorsements and any changes to your record.
Schedule a CDL renewal appointment well in advance, as DMV offices often have longer wait times for commercial renewals. You can schedule online or call your local DMV office directly.
Renewing while traveling or out of state
If you are out of Colorado when your license is about to expire, you can renew online up until your expiration date, as long as you meet the other requirements (no address change, no medical restrictions, not a CDL). Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, so make sure your mailing address is current before you renew.
If you are out of state and your license has already expired, you will need to return to Colorado to renew in person, because Colorado does not allow remote renewal for expired licenses. Plan your trip back to Colorado to visit a DMV office within 30 days of your expiration date if you want to avoid retaking the written and vision tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before the one-year window opens?
No, Colorado's system will not let you renew more than one year before your expiration date. If your license expires in 18 months, you will need to wait six months before you can start the renewal process. You can check your expiration date on the front of your license to see when you become may be able to access.
What if I change my address after I renew online?
If you change your address after renewing online but before your new license arrives, contact the Colorado DMV to update your mailing address. You can call the DMV or visit an office in person. Your new license will be sent to the updated address. If your new license has already arrived at your old address, you can pick it up there or request a replacement card sent to your new address.
Do I need an appointment to renew at a DMV office?
Appointments are not required, but they are recommended. Walk-ins are accepted at most Colorado DMV offices, but you may wait 30 minutes to over an hour depending on how busy the office is. You can schedule an appointment online through the Colorado DMV website, which usually gets you in within 15 to 30 minutes.
What if my license was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license through the normal renewal process. You will need to contact the Colorado DMV to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. This may involve paying fines, completing a driver safety course, or waiting out a suspension period. Once your driving privileges are restored, you can renew normally.
Can I renew my license if I do not have proof of residency?
Proof of residency is required to renew in person. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail showing your current address. If you do not have any of these, contact your local DMV office to ask about alternative documents they may accept.