How to Get and Renew Your Colorado Driver's License

What You Need to Know About Colorado Driver's Licenses

Colorado issues two types of driver's licenses: a standard license for driving privileges, and an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) that also works as a federal ID for air travel and border crossing. Both are issued by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and require you to visit a DMV office in person for your first license or to renew an expired license. You cannot complete a full license transaction online, though you can renew some licenses by mail if you meet specific conditions.

The standard license is valid for five years if you are under 21, and ten years if you are 21 or older. An EDL costs more but serves as both your driver's license and a REAL ID-compliant federal identification document. Renewal timing matters: you can renew up to one year before your license expires, but you cannot drive on an expired license.

Key Takeaways

You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person to get your first license or renew an expired one, though some renewals can be done by mail if your license is still valid.
Standard licenses are valid for five years (under 21) or ten years (21 and older), and an Enhanced Driver's License costs more but works as federal ID for air travel.
You will need proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and proof of your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
The DMV charges different fees for new licenses, renewals, and Enhanced licenses, and fees vary depending on the license type and your age.
You can renew by mail only if your current license is still valid and you have not had certain violations or address changes in the past five years.

Documents You Must Bring to the DMV

Colorado requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number or ITIN. You cannot get a license without all three, so verify you have them before you go to the office.

For proof of identity, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid passport, a military ID, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. A photocopy is not acceptable. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill in your name with your current Colorado address. A bank statement or insurance bill also works. For proof of your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to bring an ITIN letter from the IRS.

If you are renewing and your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Getting Your First Colorado License

To get your first license, visit a Colorado DMV office with your required documents. You will take a written knowledge test covering traffic laws and road signs, a vision test, and a driving skills test. The knowledge test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. You can take it again the same day if you fail.

The driving skills test is conducted by a DMV examiner who will observe you driving in local traffic for about 20 minutes. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle's owner does not have to be present, but you must have written permission from the owner if the vehicle is not registered in your name.

After you pass both tests, you will have your photo taken and pay the license fee. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent plastic license by mail within two to three weeks. You can drive on the temporary license while you wait.

Renewing Your License by Mail or Online

You can renew your license by mail if all of these conditions are true: your current license is still valid (not expired), you have not changed your name, you have not had any violations or suspensions in the past five years, and your address has not changed. If you meet these conditions, you can request a renewal form from the Colorado DMV website or by calling your local DMV office.

Mail renewal takes four to six weeks. You will send your completed form, your current license, and the renewal fee to the address provided by the DMV. Your new license will arrive by mail. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal is not currently available for Colorado driver's licenses. You must renew in person at a DMV office if your license has expired, if you have had any violations, if your name or address has changed, or if you do not meet the mail renewal conditions.

Renewing Your License in Person

If you cannot renew by mail, you must visit a Colorado DMV office. Bring your current license, proof of residency (if your address has changed), and the renewal fee. You will not need to retake the knowledge or driving tests unless your license has been expired for more than one year, or unless the DMV has reason to require testing.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must retake the knowledge test and the driving skills test, just as if you were getting your first license. If your license expired between one and five years ago, you may be able to renew without testing, but the DMV office will tell you when you arrive.

Renewal in person takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. You will receive a temporary paper license and your permanent license by mail within two to three weeks.

Enhanced Driver's License and REAL ID Compliance

An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a standard license with added security features that allows you to cross the U.S. border into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean by land or sea without a passport. It also satisfies federal REAL ID requirements for air travel. An EDL costs more than a standard license and requires additional proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency.

To get an EDL, bring your standard license documents plus an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship. If you are a lawful permanent resident, bring your green card. You must explore in person at a Colorado DMV office. The EDL is valid for ten years (or five years if you are under 21) and is renewed the same way as a standard license.

DMV Office Locations and Wait Times

Colorado has DMV offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check current wait times on the Colorado DMV website. Some offices are busier than others, and wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Early morning and mid-week visits typically have shorter waits than afternoons and Fridays.

You can make an appointment at some DMV offices to reduce your wait time. Check the Colorado DMV website to see if appointments are available at your local office. If appointments are not available, you can walk in, but you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy the office is.

Some DMV services, such as license renewals for people over 65, may be available at certain satellite offices or partner locations. Call your local DMV office to ask whether your specific transaction can be done at a satellite location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado license if I moved out of state?

No. Colorado only issues licenses to residents. If you no longer live in Colorado, you must get a license from your new state. You can keep your Colorado license as an ID, but you cannot renew it or use it for driving.

What happens if my license expires while I am out of the country?

You cannot legally drive in Colorado on an expired license, even if you were out of the country when it expired. You must renew it in person at a DMV office as soon as you return. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to retake the knowledge and driving tests.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew my license?

Yes, you will have a new photo taken every time you renew in person. If you renew by mail, your photo from your current license will be used on your new license.

Can I change my address without renewing my license?

Yes. You can update your address at any Colorado DMV office without renewing your license. Bring proof of your new address and your current license. There is no fee for an address change.

What is the fee for a Colorado driver's license?

Fees vary by license type and your age. A standard license for someone 21 or older costs one amount, while a license for someone under 21 costs less. An Enhanced Driver's License costs more. Call your local DMV office or check the Colorado DMV website for the exact current fee, as fees can change.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.