How to Renew Your Colorado Driver's License

Colorado driver's license renewal: online, mail, or in person

You can renew your Colorado driver's license online through the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change, address change, or medical condition that affects your driving. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DMV office typically takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the location is.

Your license is valid for eight years from the date of issue. The DMV sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for the notice to renew. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal works only if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name or address, and you have no medical restrictions — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.50.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment to the DMV address listed on the renewal notice.
In-person renewal at a DMV office requires a current form of ID, proof of residency, and payment; bring your current license if you still have it.
If your license is already expired, you must renew in person or by mail — online renewal is not available for expired licenses.
Colorado charges $28.50 for an eight-year renewal; payment by check, money order, or credit card is accepted for mail and in-person renewal.

Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website

Go to dmv.colorado.gov and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the main menu. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against DMV records and ask you to confirm your address and any other details on file.

Online renewal does not allow you to change your address, name, or medical information. If any of those details are incorrect or need updating, you must renew by mail or in person. After you complete the online form and pay the $28.50 fee by credit or debit card, the DMV mails your new license to the address on file. Delivery typically takes seven to 10 business days.

You can check the status of your online renewal by logging back into the DMV website with your license number and Social Security number. The system shows whether your payment was processed and when your new license was mailed.

Mail renewal: what to send and where

Request a renewal form by calling the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600, or read the form from dmv.colorado.gov. The form you need is the "process for a Colorado Driver's License" (Form DL-43). Fill out the form completely, sign it, and include your current driver's license (or a photocopy if you want to keep the original).

Write a check or money order for $28.50 payable to "Colorado DMV" and include it with your form and license. Mail everything to the address printed on your renewal notice or listed on the DMV website. The DMV processes mail renewals in the order received, and your new license arrives two to three weeks after they receive your packet. Do not send cash.

If you have changed your name or address since your current license was issued, include a document that proves the change — a marriage certificate for a name change, or a utility bill or lease for an address change. Without proof, the DMV will mail your new license to the address currently on file.

In-person renewal at a Colorado DMV office

Find your nearest DMV office at dmv.colorado.gov and check the office hours before you go. Bring your current driver's license, a form of ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

If you have changed your name since your license was issued, bring a document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have changed your address, bring proof of your new address. The DMV staff will verify your information, take a new photo, and process your payment on the spot. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card.

Your new license is mailed to you within seven to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use while you wait for your permanent license to arrive.

What to do if your license is already expired

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. If your license expired within the last year, you can still renew by mail or in person, but not online. The process is the same as a standard renewal, except you must bring your expired license or a copy of it to prove you held a valid Colorado license.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Colorado, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can show them proof that you have applied for renewal (a receipt from the DMV or a copy of your mailed renewal packet), but this does not may provide you will not be cited. Renew as soon as possible to avoid this risk.

Renewing with a name or address change

If you have changed your name or moved to a new address, you cannot use online renewal. You must renew by mail or in person. Bring or send proof of the change along with your renewal form and current license.

For a name change, the DMV accepts a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. For an address change, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The DMV will update your records and issue a new license with your current name and address. This process takes the same amount of time as a standard renewal — two to three weeks by mail or seven to 10 days after an in-person visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can renew by mail from anywhere. read the renewal form from dmv.colorado.gov, fill it out, and mail it with your current license and payment to the DMV address on the form. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you have moved out of state, include proof of your new address so the DMV updates your records.

What if I lost my current license?

If you lost your license and it has not expired, you can still renew by mail or in person. You do not need to bring the physical license — just tell the DMV staff or note on the mail form that your license is lost. You will need to show another form of ID (passport, military ID, or state ID) if renewing in person.

How much does a Colorado driver's license renewal cost?

A standard eight-year renewal costs $28.50. If you are renewing in person and want a REAL ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and flights), the cost is $33.50. Payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card is accepted.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not extend your license expiration date — your new license will expire eight years from the date you renew, not eight years from when your old license would have expired.

What if the DMV rejected my online renewal?

The online system may reject your renewal if your address or name has changed, your license is expired, or if there is a mismatch in your personal information. Try again with your exact information as it appears on your current license. If it still does not work, renew by mail or in person instead.

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.