Yes, you can renew your Colorado driver's license online if you meet the requirements
Colorado lets you renew your driver's license through its online portal without visiting a DMV office, as long as your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical or legal holds on your record. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $28.25 for a five-year renewal, and you receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will need your current license number, a valid email address, and a payment method.
Not everyone can use the online route. If your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your address, if you have an outstanding warrant or suspension, or if you are renewing for the first time after turning 21, you must visit a DMV office in person. The same applies if you want to change your name or if your vision or medical status has changed since your last renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no holds or suspensions on your driving record.
- The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.25 for a standard five-year renewal.
- You will receive your renewed license by mail in 7 to 10 business days after completing the transaction.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you need to change your address or name, you must renew in person at a Colorado DMV office.
- You can check your may be able to access and start the renewal at dmv.colorado.gov using your current license number.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you log into the Colorado DMV portal. You will need your current driver's license number, which appears on the front of your card. You will also need a valid email address where Colorado can send your confirmation and tracking information. Have a debit card, credit card, or bank account information ready for the $28.25 renewal fee.
If you have changed your address since your license was issued, you cannot complete the renewal online. The system will not let you proceed if your mailing address differs from what is on file. In that case, you must visit a DMV office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
Step-by-step: completing your online renewal
Go to dmv.colorado.gov and look for the "Renew Your License" button on the homepage. Click it and select "Online Renewal" from the options shown. The system will ask you to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record.
Review the information on your screen. Colorado shows your name, address, date of birth, and current license expiration date. If anything is wrong — especially your address — stop here and do not proceed. Close the browser and visit a DMV office instead, because submitting incorrect information online will delay your renewal. If everything matches, click "Continue" to move to the next screen.
Answer the questions about your vision, medical conditions, and whether you have been convicted of any crimes since your last renewal. Answer honestly. If you answer "yes" to any medical or legal question, the system may require you to visit an office or provide additional paperwork. Once you finish the questions, you will see a summary of your renewal and the $28.25 fee.
Enter your payment information and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and a confirmation email within a few minutes. Save both. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you do not receive it within 10 business days, use your confirmation number to check the status at dmv.colorado.gov or call the DMV at 303-205-5600.
What happens after you submit
Colorado processes online renewals in the order they are received. You should see your new license arrive within 7 to 10 business days. The DMV will mail it to the address currently on file with your old license. If you have moved recently and did not update your address before renewing online, your new license will go to your old address, and you will need to contact the DMV to have it reissued to the correct location.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. You do not need to do anything while you wait. If you need to drive before the new license arrives and someone asks for identification, your old license is still legal to use. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it in a safe place — do not carry both.
When you cannot renew online and must visit an office
If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will reject your renewal request. You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). The in-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and costs $28.25.
If you have a medical condition that has developed or changed since your last renewal — such as vision loss, seizures, or a condition that affects your ability to drive safely — you cannot renew online. The DMV requires you to visit an office and may ask you to complete a medical evaluation form or provide a letter from your doctor. If you have a suspended or revoked license, or if there is an outstanding warrant against you, you must resolve that issue before you can renew, whether online or in person.
If you want to change your name, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The same applies if you want to change your sex designation on your license. Online renewal does not offer either option.
Checking your renewal status and troubleshooting
If you submitted your renewal online and want to check on it, go back to dmv.colorado.gov and look for "Check Renewal Status" or a similar link. Enter your confirmation number and date of birth. The system will tell you whether your renewal is being processed, has been approved, or is in the mail. If the status shows an error or hold, the page will explain what needs to be fixed.
If your renewal was rejected and you do not understand why, call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600. Have your confirmation number and license number ready. The DMV can usually tell you over the phone whether the issue is a medical hold, a legal hold, an address mismatch, or something else. If it is fixable online, they will tell you how. If you must visit an office, they can tell you which documents to bring.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DMV with your confirmation number. They can reissue it or investigate whether it was lost in the mail. There is no extra charge for a reissue if the delay was the DMV's fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than a year ago?
Yes, as long as it expired within the last five years. If it has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your address and Social Security number. The in-person process takes about 30 minutes.
What if I moved and my address on file is wrong?
You cannot complete the online renewal if your address has changed. You must visit a DMV office and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days. Bring your expired or current license and proof of your Social Security number.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
The DMV mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days of your online submission. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives. If you do not receive it within 10 business days, contact the DMV with your confirmation number to check the status or request a reissue.
Do I need to take a new photo for an online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. The photo on your license will be updated at your next in-person renewal or when you renew in person by choice.
What if the online system says I have a hold on my record?
A hold usually means you have an outstanding warrant, a suspended license, or a medical condition that needs review. Call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 with your license number to find out what the hold is and how to resolve it. You may need to visit an office or provide additional paperwork before you can renew.