Renewing your Colorado driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Colorado driver's license through three routes: online at the Colorado Department of Revenue website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a local driver's license office. Online renewal is the fastest option and works if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical or legal holds on your record. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no office visit. In-person renewal at a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office is necessary if you need a new photo, have vision or medical restrictions, or if online and mail options are not available to you.
The route you choose depends on how recently your license expired, whether you have any medical conditions affecting your driving, and whether you have outstanding tickets or other holds on your record. Each path has different requirements and timelines, so understanding which one applies to your situation will help you avoid delays.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Colorado Department of Revenue website at dmv.colorado.gov takes about 10 business days and costs $28.25 for a five-year license or $48.25 for a ten-year license.
- Mail renewal is an option if your license expired less than one year ago, but processing takes four to six weeks and requires you to request a form by calling 303-205-5600.
- In-person renewal at a Division of Motor Vehicles office is required if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need a new photo, or if you have medical conditions affecting your driving.
- You cannot renew online or by mail if you have an outstanding traffic ticket, child support obligation, or medical hold placed by a doctor or the state.
- If your license expired more than one year ago, you must bring proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number to renew in person.
Online renewal through the Colorado Department of Revenue website
The Colorado Department of Revenue operates the online renewal system at dmv.colorado.gov. To start, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, then answer questions about any changes to your address, medical conditions, or organ donor status. The system will show you the renewal fee based on whether you want a five-year or ten-year license. You pay by credit card or debit card at the end of the process.
After you submit your payment, the system generates a temporary digital license that you can use when ready while your physical card is being mailed. Your new license arrives in about 10 business days. You do not need to visit an office, take a new photo, or provide documents — the system pulls your information from your existing record.
Online renewal is not available to you if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you have a medical condition that affects your driving (such as a seizure disorder or vision loss), if you have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support obligation, or if you have a medical hold placed by a doctor or the state. In any of those cases, you must renew in person or by mail if you are within the one-year window.
Mail renewal for licenses expired less than one year
If your license expired within the past year, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. Request a renewal form by calling the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles at 303-205-5600 or by visiting a local office to pick one up in person. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail both to the address printed on the form.
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the date the Division receives your envelope. There is no way to track your process once it is in the mail, so plan ahead if you need your license by a specific date. If your license expires while your renewal is being processed, you technically cannot drive legally, so mail renewal works best if you have several weeks before your expiration date.
Like online renewal, mail renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you have medical restrictions, or if you have an outstanding ticket or hold. You also cannot use mail renewal if you need to change your name, address, or other information — those changes require an in-person visit.
In-person renewal at a Division of Motor Vehicles office
Visit a local Division of Motor Vehicles office if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need a new photo, if you have medical conditions affecting your driving, or if you have an outstanding ticket or hold that must be cleared first. Bring your current Colorado driver's license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment for the renewal fee. If you have a medical condition, bring documentation from your doctor.
In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes from the time you arrive. The office will take a new photo, update your information, and issue a temporary paper license on the spot. Your physical card arrives by mail in about 10 business days. You can drive legally using the temporary license until your new card arrives.
Find your nearest office and check current wait times at dmv.colorado.gov. Many offices are busiest on Fridays and during lunch hours, so visiting early in the week or in the morning often means a shorter wait. Some offices accept walk-ins only, while others allow you to schedule an appointment online.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than one year
If your Colorado license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office in person. The office will treat your renewal as a new license process, which means you will need to provide proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
You will also need to pass a vision test at the office. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. The vision test is quick — the examiner will check whether you can read the eye chart clearly enough to drive safely. If you fail, you may be required to see an eye doctor before the office can issue your license.
Processing takes about 30 minutes at the office, and you receive a temporary paper license when ready. Your physical card arrives in about 10 business days. The renewal fee is the same as a standard renewal, but the process takes longer because the office must verify your identity documents.
Renewal fees and payment methods
Colorado charges $28.25 for a five-year driver's license and $48.25 for a ten-year license. These are the standard renewal fees and do not vary based on your age or driving record. If you renew online or by mail, you pay by credit card, debit card, or check. If you renew in person, the office accepts cash, check, credit card, and debit card.
If you have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support obligation, you cannot renew until that debt is paid. The Division of Motor Vehicles checks your record against the Colorado Court System and the Colorado Department of Human Services before processing your renewal. If a hold is found, the system will tell you which agency placed it and how to contact them to resolve it.
Medical conditions and vision restrictions
If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely — such as a seizure disorder, severe vision loss, or a condition that causes sudden loss of consciousness — you must renew in person. The Division of Motor Vehicles may require you to provide a medical report from your doctor before issuing your new license.
If your vision does not meet Colorado's standard (you must be able to see at least 20/40 in each eye with correction), the office will note that on your license and may restrict you to daytime driving only or require you to wear corrective lenses. These restrictions are checked during the vision test at the office, so you cannot renew online or by mail if you have known vision problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I moved out of state?
No. Colorado only renews licenses for people who live in Colorado. If you have moved to another state, you must obtain a license from your new state. You can surrender your Colorado license by mail or in person, but you cannot renew it.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?
You must visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office in person. The office will issue a replacement license and renew it in the same transaction. Bring your proof of identity and Colorado residency. The fee covers both the replacement and the renewal.
How long is my temporary paper license good for?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. Your physical card should arrive within 10 business days, so the temporary license is a backup in case your card is delayed. If your card does not arrive within 30 days, contact the Division of Motor Vehicles to request a replacement.
Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked status?
No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must contact the Division of Motor Vehicles or the court that issued the suspension or revocation to find out what steps are required to restore your driving privileges. Once your status is cleared, you can renew through the normal process.
What if the online system says I am not may be able to access to renew?
The system will tell you the reason — usually an outstanding ticket, child support obligation, medical hold, or an expired license that is more than one year old. Contact the Division of Motor Vehicles at 303-205-5600 to learn how to resolve the issue. Once it is cleared, you can try online renewal again or visit an office in person.