What MyDMV Colorado does and doesn't do
MyDMV Colorado is the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles' online portal where you can renew your driver's license without visiting an office in person. You create an account, answer questions about your current license, upload a new photo if needed, pay the renewal fee, and receive your renewed license by mail. The whole process takes about 10 minutes online, and your new license typically arrives within two to three weeks.
Not every renewal can happen through MyDMV Colorado. If your license has been suspended, if you need to change your address, if you're renewing after it has been expired for more than two years, or if you're over 70, you'll need to visit a DMV office or use mail-in renewal instead. The online system also won't work if your vision or medical status has changed since your last license was issued.
Key Takeaways
- MyDMV Colorado lets you renew online if your license is current and you haven't had suspensions or major changes since it was issued.
- You'll need your current Colorado driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method (debit or credit card) to start.
- The renewal fee varies depending on how long your new license is valid for — typically $28 to $35 for a standard renewal.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail in two to three weeks; you can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.
- If you can't renew online, you can mail in your renewal documents or visit a DMV office in person.
Who can renew through MyDMV Colorado
You can use MyDMV Colorado if your driver's license is still valid (not expired), you have no active suspensions or revocations, and you haven't had any major changes to your vision, medical status, or address since your license was issued. You must also be under 70 years old; Colorado requires drivers 70 and older to renew in person at a DMV office.
If you're unsure whether your license has a suspension, you can check your driving record on the MyDMV Colorado homepage before you start the renewal. This takes a few minutes and will tell you when ready if there's a block on your account. If there is, you'll need to resolve it before you can renew online.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you log into MyDMV Colorado: your current Colorado driver's license (you'll need the license number), a valid email address where you can receive confirmation, and a debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee. You should also have a recent photo of yourself ready if you want to upload a new one, though you can use the photo from your current license instead.
Your photo must meet Colorado's requirements: a clear, straight-on headshot taken within the last six months, with a plain background and no sunglasses or hats. If you're uploading a photo from your phone, make sure it's in focus and well-lit. If your photo doesn't meet the requirements, the system will reject it and you can either try again or use your existing photo.
The step-by-step renewal process
Go to mydmv.colorado.gov and click "Sign In" or "Create Account" if this is your first time. You'll enter your email address and create a password. Once you're logged in, select "Renew Driver's License" from the menu.
The system will ask you to confirm your current license information — your name, date of birth, and license number. It will then ask whether anything has changed since your license was issued: your address, your name, your vision, or your medical status. Answer honestly; if you say something has changed when it hasn't, or vice versa, your renewal may be delayed or rejected.
Next, you'll upload a photo if you want to use a new one, or confirm that you want to keep the photo from your current license. Then you'll review the renewal fee (which depends on how long your new license will be valid) and enter your payment information. Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number by email.
Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts
Colorado driver's license renewal fees depend on how many years your new license will be valid for. A four-year renewal typically costs $28, while an eight-year renewal costs around $35. The system will show you the exact fee before you pay. If you're over 65, you may be offered a shorter renewal period at a lower cost.
Your new license will be valid for the number of years you chose at renewal. Once it arrives, check the expiration date on the front to confirm. You can continue driving with your current license until your new one arrives in the mail, so there's no gap in your driving privileges.
What happens after you submit your renewal
After you pay, MyDMV Colorado will send you a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to check on your renewal status. Your new license will be printed and mailed to the address on file with the DMV, which should be your current address. If you've moved recently and haven't updated your address with the DMV, your license may arrive at your old address.
The printing and mailing process usually takes two to three weeks. If more than three weeks pass and you haven't received your license, you can contact the DMV using your confirmation number to check the status. If there's a problem — for example, if the DMV needs more information from you — they will email you at the address you provided during renewal.
If you can't renew online
If MyDMV Colorado tells you that you're not may be able to access to renew online, you have two other options: mail-in renewal or in-person renewal at a DMV office. For mail-in renewal, you'll read the renewal form from the Colorado DMV website, fill it out, and mail it along with your current license and payment to the address listed on the form. This takes longer than online renewal — usually four to six weeks — but you don't have to visit an office.
For in-person renewal, you can visit any Colorado DMV office with your current license, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and payment. Offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, and some locations offer Saturday hours. You can find the office nearest you and check hours on the Colorado DMV website. In-person renewal is fastest if you need your new license quickly, though you may have to wait in line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
No, MyDMV Colorado only works for current, valid licenses. If your license expired more than two years ago, you'll need to take a written test and vision test at a DMV office to renew. If it expired less than two years ago, you may be able to renew by mail or in person without retesting — contact the DMV to confirm.
What if my address has changed since my last license?
You cannot change your address through MyDMV Colorado during renewal. If you've moved, you'll need to renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. Bring proof of your new address, like a utility bill or lease, along with your current license and payment.
How do I know if my license has a suspension?
On the MyDMV Colorado homepage, you can check your driving record for free. Enter your license number and date of birth, and the system will tell you when ready if there's a suspension or other block on your account. If there is, you'll need to resolve it before you can renew.
Can I use a digital photo from my phone?
Yes, you can upload a photo from your phone as long as it meets Colorado's requirements: clear, straight-on, taken within the last six months, with a plain background and no sunglasses or hats. The file should be in JPG or PNG format. If the system rejects it, you can try uploading a different photo or use the photo from your current license instead.
What if I don't receive my license after three weeks?
Contact the Colorado DMV with your confirmation number from your online renewal. They can check whether your license has been mailed and provide an estimated delivery date. If there's a problem, they'll let you know what to do next — you may need to request a replacement or visit an office in person.