What Colorado charges to renew your driver's license
Colorado charges $28.75 to renew a standard driver's license for eight years. If you renew early — within one year before expiration — you pay the same fee and your new license extends eight years from the expiration date of your old one, not from the renewal date. This means you do not lose time on your current license.
The fee covers the license itself, the background check, and the processing by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You cannot reduce this fee by renewing online versus in person; the cost is the same either way. If you need a replacement license because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, that is a separate transaction with its own fee structure.
Colorado also offers a five-year license option for certain drivers, though this is less common. Military members on active duty and their spouses may be able to renew for a longer period under federal law, but the standard renewal window remains eight years for most residents.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado's standard driver's license renewal costs $28.75 for an eight-year license.
- Renewing early does not cost more, and your new expiration date extends from your old one rather than the renewal date.
- You can renew online through the Colorado DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office, but the fee is the same for all methods.
- If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you will pay a different fee for a replacement rather than a renewal.
- Active-duty military members and their spouses may have different renewal periods under federal law; check with your local DMV office.
How to renew online and what you need
Colorado allows most drivers to renew online through the DMV website without visiting an office. To renew online, you need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The online system will verify your identity using information from your license and state records.
Not all drivers can renew online. You cannot use the online method if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you have unpaid traffic tickets or child support obligations, or if your address has changed and you need to update it. You also cannot renew online if your license expired more than five years ago. In those cases, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Once you submit your online renewal and payment, the DMV mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery typically takes two to three weeks. During that time, your old license remains valid, so you can still use it for identification and driving.
Renewing by mail or in person
If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail by sending your current license, a completed process form (DL 44 or DL 43, depending on your situation), and payment to the DMV. The form is available on the Colorado DMV website. Mail renewal takes longer than online — usually four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your materials — so plan ahead if your license is expiring soon.
In-person renewal at a DMV office is the fastest option if you need your new license quickly. You bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. The DMV will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your license on the spot or within a few days. Some DMV offices offer walk-in service, but many now require appointments. Check the Colorado DMV website to find your local office and book a time slot.
The $28.75 fee applies regardless of which method you choose. Some DMV offices may charge an additional service fee if you pay by check or money order, so credit or debit card payment is usually the most straightforward option.
When your license expires and renewal important date
Your Colorado driver's license expiration date is printed on the front of the card. The DMV does not send renewal reminders by mail, so it is your responsibility to track when your license is about to expire. You can renew up to one year before expiration, which gives you a long window to complete the process without rushing.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but you lose the advantage of extending from your old expiration date. An expired license is not valid for driving or as a form of identification, so renewing promptly is important. If you are stopped by law enforcement while driving with an expired license, you may face a traffic citation.
Colorado does not have a grace period for expired licenses. Once your license expires, it is no longer legal to drive, even if you have submitted a renewal process and are waiting for your new license to arrive. If you are in this situation, do not drive until your new license is in hand.
Replacement licenses versus renewal
If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you need a replacement, not a renewal. A replacement costs $20.00 in Colorado and does not extend your expiration date — your new license will expire on the same date as your old one would have. You can get a replacement in person at a DMV office or by mail.
If your license is damaged but still readable, some DMV offices will renew it as a standard renewal rather than charging the replacement fee. Bring your damaged license to an office and ask; the staff can advise whether it qualifies for renewal pricing. If your license is severely damaged or unreadable, you will likely pay the replacement fee.
If you lose your license and then find it before your replacement arrives, you can cancel the replacement order at a DMV office. Bring your original license and ask to cancel. You will not receive a refund, but you will not have duplicate licenses issued.
Payment methods and where the money goes
Colorado accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check for online and in-person renewals. By mail, you can also send a personal check or money order. The $28.75 fee goes to the Colorado Department of Revenue, which operates the DMV. The fee covers the cost of producing the physical license card, the background check, database maintenance, and staff processing.
If you pay by check or money order and the check bounces or the money order is invalid, the DMV will not process your renewal and will return your materials. You will need to resubmit with valid payment. If you pay online and your card is declined, the system will prompt you to try another payment method before your process is submitted.
Colorado does not offer refunds for renewal fees once your license has been issued, even if you move out of state or no longer need to drive. If you renew your license and then move to another state, you will need to obtain a license from your new state; Colorado will not refund your renewal fee.
Military members and special circumstances
Active-duty military members stationed outside Colorado and their spouses may be able to renew for a longer period — up to eight years plus an additional period — under the federal REAL ID Act. Contact your local DMV office or the Colorado DMV website to confirm whether you may have access to and what documentation you need to provide.
If you are a Colorado resident but temporarily stationed overseas or in another state for military service, you can renew by mail. You will need to provide a military address or have mail sent to a family member's address in Colorado. The fee remains $28.75.
Drivers with medical conditions that affect their ability to renew in person can request accommodations at a DMV office. Call ahead to explain your situation, and staff can arrange for you to renew with information or at a time that works for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?
No, you cannot renew online if your license expired more than five years ago. You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. The DMV will treat it as a standard renewal and charge the $28.75 fee.
What happens if I renew early — do I lose time on my license?
No. If you renew within one year before your license expires, your new eight-year license extends from your old expiration date, not from the date you renew. You do not lose any time.
How long does it take to get my license after I renew online?
The DMV mails your new license after processing your online renewal. Delivery typically takes two to three weeks. Your old license remains valid during this time, so you can still drive and use it for identification.
Is the renewal fee the same if I renew in person versus online?
Yes, the fee is $28.75 regardless of whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. Some offices may charge an additional fee if you pay by check or money order, so card payment is usually simplest.
What do I do if my license was lost or stolen instead of expired?
A lost or stolen license is a replacement, not a renewal, and costs $20.00. You can get a replacement in person at a DMV office or by mail. Your new license will expire on the same date as your old one would have.