Where to renew and what you'll need
You can renew your Colorado driver's license in person at any Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, or online through the Colorado DMV website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route works for almost everyone; the online route is faster but only available if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your address in the last four years.
For either method, have your current Colorado driver's license ready. If you are renewing in person, bring one document that proves your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. You do not need to bring your Social Security card or birth certificate unless your name has changed since your last renewal.
If you are renewing online, you will need your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The online system will ask you to verify your address and confirm that your information has not changed. You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, so do not wait until the expiration date passes.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs less than in-person renewal, but only works if your license is current and you have not moved in four years.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the location is, and you must bring your current license plus one document showing your current address.
- Colorado licenses are valid for five years, and you can renew up to six months before your expiration date.
- If your license has already expired, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test depending on how long it has been expired.
Renewing online through the Colorado DMV website
Go to the Colorado DMV website and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the main menu. You will be asked to enter your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current information and ask you to confirm that your address, name, and other details are correct.
Review every field carefully. If anything is wrong — even a middle initial or a spelling error — you cannot fix it online and must go to a DMV office instead. Once you confirm that everything is accurate, you will pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card. The fee for a standard five-year renewal is $28.25 as of 2024, though this amount can change.
After you pay, the system will tell you your new license number and issue date. Your physical license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally using your old license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive your license within two weeks, contact the Colorado DMV to report it.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
Find the DMV office nearest you on the Colorado DMV website and check its hours before you go. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day. The Denver metro area offices tend to be busiest on weekday mornings and all day Saturday. If you want to avoid a long wait, go on a weekday afternoon or early morning.
Bring your current Colorado driver's license and one document showing your current address. Acceptable address documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail (such as a tax return or voter registration card) dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill or credit card statement will not work.
Tell the staff member at the counter that you are renewing your license. They will take your old license, verify your information, and ask you to sit for a new photo. You will not take a written test unless your license has been expired for more than one year. After your photo is taken, you will pay the renewal fee — $28.25 for a standard five-year license — and receive a receipt. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
What to do if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person and you will need to retake the written knowledge test. The test covers Colorado traffic laws and road signs and takes about 15 minutes. You can study using the Colorado Driver Handbook, which is free on the DMV website.
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew in person without retaking the test. Bring the same documents as you would for a standard renewal — your expired license and proof of your current address. The DMV staff will process your renewal the same way, and you will receive a new license by mail.
Do not drive with an expired license while you are waiting for your renewal to be processed. If you are pulled over, you can show the officer your receipt from the DMV office, but this does not may provide you will not be cited.
Renewing if you have changed your name or address
If you have changed your name since your last renewal, you must renew in person. Bring your current (or expired) Colorado driver's license, one document showing your current address, and one document that proves your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your name in the system and issue a new license with your updated information.
If you have changed your address within the last four years, you cannot renew online. You must go to a DMV office in person and bring proof of your new address. If you changed your address more than four years ago and have not updated it with the DMV, you can renew online as long as your license is not expired — the system will not flag the old address as a problem.
If you are moving to Colorado from another state and need to transfer your out-of-state license, that is a different process and requires an in-person visit with your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
Understanding Colorado license validity and expiration dates
Colorado driver's licenses are valid for five years from the date of issue. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew your license up to six months before it expires — for example, if your license expires on March 15, you can renew starting September 15 of the previous year.
If you renew before your license expires, your new license will be valid for five years from your old expiration date, not from the date you renew. This means you do not lose any validity by renewing early. If you wait until after your license expires to renew, your new license will be valid for five years from the date you renew.
Colorado does not send renewal reminders by mail or email. It is your responsibility to track your expiration date and renew before it passes. You can check your expiration date anytime on the Colorado DMV website by entering your license number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I am out of state?
Yes, you can renew online if your license is not expired and you meet the other online renewal requirements. If your license has already expired or you cannot renew online for another reason, you will need to renew in person at a Colorado DMV office when you return to the state, or contact the DMV to ask about mailing in your renewal process.
What happens if I drive with an expired license?
Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in Colorado. If you are pulled over, you can be cited and fined. If your license expired less than one year ago and you have already submitted a renewal process, show the officer your receipt — this may help, but does not may provide you will not be cited.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you renew, whether you renewed online or in person. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the Colorado DMV. You can drive legally with your old license until the new one arrives.
Do I need to take a vision test when I renew?
If you renew in person, the DMV will conduct a vision screening as part of the renewal process. If you cannot pass the vision screening, the DMV may restrict your license or require you to wear corrective lenses while driving. If you renew online, no vision test is performed.
Can I change my address when I renew online?
No. Online renewal only works if your address has not changed in the last four years. If you have moved, you must renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your new address.