Colorado driver's license renewal by mail, online, or in person
Colorado lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you're renewing early, or in person at a DMV office. The online option is the fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home and your new license arrives in about two weeks. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no office visit. In-person renewal at a DMV office is necessary only if you cannot renew online or by mail, or if your license has been expired for more than five years.
Your renewal method depends on your license type, how long it has been expired (if at all), and whether you need to change information like your address or name. Most Colorado drivers with current or recently expired licenses can renew online. If you cannot, the mail option is usually faster than waiting for a DMV appointment.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through Colorado's DMV website takes about 15 minutes and costs $28.75 for a five-year license or $58.75 for a ten-year license, with your new card arriving in roughly two weeks.
- Mail renewal is available if you are renewing early or your license expired less than five years ago, and you send your current license and a check to the address provided on the renewal notice.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is required only if your license has been expired for more than five years, you need to change your name or address, or you cannot renew online.
- Colorado does not send automatic renewal reminders, so you are responsible for tracking your expiration date — check the back of your license card for the date.
- A renewed license is valid for either five or ten years depending on which option you choose at renewal, and you can drive on your old license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal: fastest option for most drivers
The Colorado DMV online renewal system is available at dmv.colorado.gov under the "License Renewal" section. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system takes about 15 minutes and you receive a confirmation email when ready after completing it.
You can renew online if your license is current or expired no more than five years, you have no address or name changes to make, and your license was not suspended or revoked. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person instead. After you complete online renewal, your new license is mailed to the address on file and typically arrives within 10 to 14 business days. You can continue driving your old license until the new one arrives.
The cost for online renewal is $28.75 for a five-year license or $58.75 for a ten-year license. You choose the term length during the online process. Ten-year licenses cost more but reduce how often you renew.
Mail renewal for early renewals and recent expirations
Mail renewal is an option if your license is not yet expired or expired less than five years ago, and you have no changes to your name or address. The Colorado DMV does not send automatic renewal notices, so you must initiate the process yourself. To renew by mail, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 or visit a DMV office to request a renewal form, or read the form from dmv.colorado.gov.
Once you have the form, complete it, include your current license, and mail both along with a check for $28.75 (five-year) or $58.75 (ten-year) to the address listed on the form. Mail processing typically takes three to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. Send your renewal package early enough that your new license arrives before your current one expires, since processing time is not may provide.
Mail renewal is useful if you want to renew before your license expires but cannot visit an office, or if you prefer not to renew online. However, if your license is already expired, online renewal (if you may have access to) is usually faster than waiting for mail processing.
In-person renewal at a Colorado DMV office
You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your name or address, or if you cannot renew online or by mail. Visit any Colorado DMV office with your current license (or expired license if it has been less than five years), proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and payment. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document showing the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
DMV offices do not require appointments for license renewal, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices in smaller towns typically have shorter waits than Denver-area locations. You can check current wait times on the Colorado DMV website before you go. Processing takes about 15 minutes once you reach the counter, and you receive a temporary paper license when ready. Your permanent license is mailed to you within two weeks.
The cost for in-person renewal is the same as online or mail: $28.75 for five years or $58.75 for ten years. You choose the term at the office.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Colorado license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license. This means you will need to visit a DMV office in person, provide proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or other state ID), proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. The process is longer than renewal and costs more (a new license costs $28.75 for five years or $58.75 for ten years, plus additional fees for the process itself).
You will also need to pass a vision test and may need to retake the written and driving tests depending on how long your license has been expired and your age. Contact your local DMV office before you go to confirm what tests you need and what documents to bring.
Changing your address or name during renewal
If you need to change your address, you cannot use online renewal — you must renew by mail or in person. For mail renewal, note the address change on the renewal form before you mail it. For in-person renewal, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days) along with your current license and payment.
If you are changing your name, in-person renewal is required. Bring your current license, a certified copy of the document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of your current address, and payment. The DMV will issue your new license with your new name and updated address.
Address changes take the same time as regular renewal — about two weeks by mail or in person. You do not need to renew your license to change your address; you can update your address alone at any DMV office or by mail, but many drivers combine the two tasks at renewal time.
Tracking your expiration date and planning ahead
Colorado does not send automatic renewal reminders, so you must track your expiration date yourself. Your license expiration date is printed on the back of your card. Write it on your calendar or set a phone reminder three months before the date so you have time to renew before it expires.
If you renew online or by mail before your license expires, your new license will arrive before the old one is no longer valid, and you can drive on your old license until the new one comes. If you wait until after your license expires, you must renew in person at a DMV office (unless it has been more than five years, in which case you must reapply). Renewing early is simpler and faster than dealing with an expired license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
Yes. If you renewed online or by mail, you can drive on your current license until your new one arrives. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license at the office that is valid while you wait for your permanent license to be mailed.
What if I moved out of state after my license was issued?
You cannot renew your Colorado license by mail or online if you no longer live in Colorado. You must either renew in person at a Colorado DMV office (if you are visiting) or explore for a license in your new state. Contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to discuss your options.
How much does a Colorado driver's license renewal cost?
A five-year renewal costs $28.75 and a ten-year renewal costs $58.75, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. Payment is by check (for mail renewal) or debit/credit card (for online or in-person renewal).
What if my name or address changed since my license was issued?
You must renew in person or by mail if you have a name change. For address changes only, you can update your address at any DMV office or by mail without renewing your license, though many drivers handle both at the same time during renewal.
Can I renew my license if it was suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. Contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to find out the reason for the suspension or revocation and what steps you need to take to restore your driving privileges before you can renew.