How to Renew Your Expired Colorado Driver's License

What happens when your Colorado driver's license expires

Once your Colorado driver's license expires, you cannot legally drive in Colorado or any other state. Law enforcement can cite you for driving with an expired license, which carries a fine and a mark on your driving record. If you are stopped in another state, that state's police will treat it the same way.

You can renew your license before it expires, on the day it expires, or after it has expired — the process is the same. However, the sooner you renew, the sooner you have a valid license in hand. Colorado does not have a grace period that lets you drive for a set number of days after expiration.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to take the written test and vision test again, not just renew by mail or online. This is treated as a new license process rather than a renewal.

Key Takeaways

You can renew your Colorado license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you need a REAL ID.
Online renewal works only if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a REAL ID-compliant card.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks; in-person renewal is usually same-day or next business day.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must go to a DMV office and pass the written and vision tests again.
You will need your Social Security number, current address, and payment method (credit card, debit card, or check if mailing).

Renewing online if your license expired recently

Colorado's online renewal system is the fastest route if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a REAL ID card. You go to the Colorado Department of Revenue website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card. The system will mail your new license to the address on file.

Online renewal does not work if you need to change your address, if your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you want a REAL ID card for the first time. It also does not work if your name has changed since your license was issued. In any of those cases, you must renew in person at a DMV office.

The renewal fee for a standard license is $28.25 for a five-year renewal. The new license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days. You should not drive until it arrives, since your expired license is not valid even if you have paid the renewal fee online.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is an option if your license expired within the last five years. You read the process for Renewal of Driver's License form from the Colorado Department of Revenue website, fill it out, and mail it with your payment to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $28.25 (the standard five-year renewal fee).

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. You cannot drive legally during this time. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you will need to renew in person instead.

Do not mail your expired license itself unless the form specifically asks you to. The DMV will send your new license to the address you list on the process.

Renewing in person at a Colorado DMV office

In-person renewal is the fastest way to get a valid license if you need to drive right away. You bring your expired license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment. Most DMV offices issue your new license on the spot or the next business day.

In-person renewal is also required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a REAL ID card, if your name has changed, or if you want to update your address. You will need to pass the vision test and, if your license has been expired for more than five years, the written test as well.

Colorado DMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some offices offering extended hours. You can find the office nearest you and check wait times on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Many offices let you schedule an appointment online, which can cut your wait time significantly.

What to bring to the DMV office

Bring your expired Colorado driver's license, proof of your current address, and a payment method. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A PO box is not accepted as proof of address.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number. If you do not have your Social Security card, you can provide a W-2 form, tax return, or Social Security statement instead. If you have changed your name since your license was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.

Payment options at the DMV office are cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The standard five-year renewal fee is $28.25. If you need a REAL ID card instead of a standard license, the fee is $33.25.

REAL ID requirements for Colorado renewals

A REAL ID card has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards for air travel and entry to federal buildings. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID card or a passport to board a domestic flight in the United States. A standard Colorado driver's license will no longer be accepted for air travel.

If your expired license is a standard license and you want to fly domestically after May 2025, you will need to renew to a REAL ID card. This requires an in-person visit to a DMV office. You will need to bring proof of your Social Security number, proof of your date of birth (your birth certificate or passport), proof of your address, and proof of your legal name if it has changed.

The REAL ID renewal fee is $33.25 for a five-year card. If you do not plan to fly domestically, you can keep renewing to a standard license.

If your license expired more than five years ago

You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than five years. You must go to a Colorado DMV office and take the written test and vision test again. This is treated as a new license process, not a renewal.

You will need to bring proof of your identity (your expired license, passport, or birth certificate), proof of your Social Security number, proof of your address, and payment. The fee for a new five-year license is $28.25. You will also need to pass the vision test and the written knowledge test covering Colorado traffic laws and road signs.

Study materials for the written test are available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. You can take practice tests online before your appointment. The test is offered in English and Spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with an expired license if I have already paid to renew it online?

No. Paying the renewal fee does not make your expired license valid. You can only drive once your new license arrives in the mail or is issued to you in person at the DMV office. Until then, your license is expired and driving is illegal.

What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it?

You can still renew. Bring a different form of ID such as a passport or birth certificate, along with proof of your address and Social Security number. The DMV can look up your license record by your name and date of birth. You will pay the standard renewal fee.

How long does it take to renew in person at a DMV office?

Wait times vary by location and time of day. Some offices have wait times of 15 to 30 minutes; others may be longer during peak hours. Scheduling an appointment online usually cuts your wait time. You can check current wait times on the Colorado Department of Revenue website before you go.

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

Yes. An outstanding ticket does not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if your license has been suspended due to unpaid fines or other violations, you will need to resolve the suspension before you can renew. The DMV can tell you whether your license is suspended when you explore.

What if my address has changed since my license expired?

You can update your address during renewal. If you renew online, you can change your address in the online system. If you renew by mail or in person, provide your new address on the process or form. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.

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.