What You Need Before You Start
Colorado lets you renew your driver's license online if your license is still valid or expired for fewer than five years. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, a valid email address, and a way to pay the renewal fee (currently $28.75 for a four-year license). You also need to be a Colorado resident with a current address on file with the Department of Revenue.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use the online renewal process — you will need to visit a driver's license office in person and retake the written test. The same applies if you need to change your name, address, or organ donor status; those changes require an office visit.
Before you begin, check that your vision and medical information are still current. If you have had vision correction surgery or developed a medical condition since your last renewal, you may need to update that information at an office instead of online.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado's online renewal works only if your license is still valid or expired fewer than five years, and you have not changed your name or address.
- You will need your license number, email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the $28.75 renewal fee.
- The process takes about 10 minutes and you can complete it on any device with internet access.
- Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days after you finish.
- If you need a Real ID-compliant license, you must renew in person at a driver's license office.
Steps to Renew Online
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's driver's license renewal website at dor.colorado.gov and select the online renewal option. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current information and confirm that you are a valid candidate for online renewal.
Review your personal information — name, address, date of birth, and vision correction status. If any of this information is incorrect, stop and visit a driver's license office instead; the online system cannot change these details. If everything matches, proceed to confirm your information and move to payment.
Enter your credit or debit card information to pay the $28.75 renewal fee. Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Save this number in case you need to check on your renewal status later.
What Happens After You Submit
Your renewal request goes into the Colorado Department of Revenue's processing queue. You will receive a confirmation email within a few hours that your payment was received. The physical license itself is printed and mailed to the address on file, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete the renewal.
During this time, your old license remains valid. You can continue to use it for identification and driving until your new one arrives. If you need to drive before the new license arrives and your old one is damaged or lost, you can request a temporary paper license at a driver's license office.
If you do not receive your new license within 14 business days, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-205-5613 with your confirmation number. They can check the status and remail the license if it was lost in transit.
When You Cannot Renew Online
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person. The same requirement applies if you are under 21 and your license will expire before your 21st birthday — Colorado requires an office visit for that renewal to update your license class. You also cannot renew online if you have an outstanding traffic fine, warrant, or suspension on your driving record.
If you need to change your address, name, or organ donor status, the online system will not process your renewal. You must visit a driver's license office and bring documents that support the change — a marriage certificate for a name change, for example, or a utility bill for an address change.
Real ID-compliant licenses cannot be renewed online. If your current license shows a gold star in the upper right corner, you must renew in person and bring documents that prove your identity and Colorado residency. This requirement exists because Real ID verification cannot be completed through the online system.
Fees and What You Get
The online renewal fee is $28.75 for a four-year license. This is the same price you would pay at a driver's license office. The fee covers the cost of printing, mailing, and processing your new license. No additional fees explore if you renew online rather than in person.
Your new license will have the same number as your current one. The expiration date will be four years from the date you complete the renewal. If you renew on January 15, 2025, your new license will expire on January 15, 2029. The physical card will look identical to your current license except for the new expiration date.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If the system tells you that you are not a valid candidate for online renewal, the most common reasons are that your license is expired by more than five years, you have a suspension or outstanding fine, or your information does not match what is in the Colorado database. Call the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-205-5613 to find out which issue applies to you.
If your payment is declined, try a different card or contact your bank to make sure the card is not being blocked for online transactions. Some banks flag out-of-state transactions as suspicious. After you resolve the payment issue, you can return to the renewal website and start again — you will not be charged twice.
If you complete the renewal but never receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, log back into the renewal system with your license number and Social Security number to see if your renewal was processed. If the system shows your renewal is complete but you still have not received the physical license after 14 days, contact the Department of Revenue with your confirmation number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it is suspended?
No. If your license is suspended for any reason — unpaid traffic fines, DUI, or other violations — the online system will reject your renewal. You must resolve the suspension first by contacting the Colorado Department of Revenue or the court that issued it, then you can renew online or in person.
What if my address has changed since my last renewal?
You cannot change your address through the online renewal system. You must visit a driver's license office in person with proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. Once your address is updated in the system, you can renew online if your license is still valid.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
The new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete the renewal. Mail delivery time varies, but most people receive it within 10 to 14 days total. Your old license remains valid during this time, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification.
Do I need a Real ID to renew online?
No. If your current license does not have a gold star (Real ID indicator), you can renew online and your new license will also not have Real ID status. If you want a Real ID-compliant license, you must renew in person at a driver's license office and bring documents that prove your identity and Colorado residency.
What if I lose my license before the new one arrives?
Visit a driver's license office and request a temporary paper license. Bring your confirmation number from your online renewal if you have it. The temporary license is valid for driving and identification while you wait for your new physical license to arrive in the mail.