You can renew your Colorado driver's license online if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no address changes
Colorado's online renewal system lets you renew through the Department of Revenue website without visiting a driver's license office. The process takes about 15 minutes, costs $28.25 for a five-year license, and you receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot renew online if your current license expired more than one year ago, if you need to change your address, if you're renewing a commercial license, or if you have certain medical or legal holds on your record.
The online system works only for standard renewals — situations where nothing about your personal information or license type has changed since your last issuance. If you've moved, changed your name, or had any license suspensions or restrictions added, you must renew in person at a Colorado driver's license office.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal is available only if your license expired within the past year and your address has not changed.
- The renewal costs $28.25 for a five-year license and takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
- You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to complete the transaction online.
- If your license expired more than one year ago or you have an address change, you must renew in person at a Colorado driver's license office.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather these items before you go to the Colorado Department of Revenue website to begin renewal. You will need your current Colorado driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Have a credit card, debit card, or electronic check information ready to pay the $28.25 renewal fee.
Check your current license to confirm the expiration date. If it expired more than 12 months ago, the online system will not accept your renewal and you will need to visit a driver's license office in person. Similarly, if you have moved since your license was issued, you cannot use the online system — you must renew at an office and provide proof of your new address.
Steps to renew online through the Colorado Department of Revenue
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's driver's license renewal page. Look for the "Online Renewal" option and select it. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to verify your identity. The system will pull up your current license information and show you what will appear on your new license.
Review all the information on the screen — name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements. If everything is correct, proceed to the payment section. Enter your payment method and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt showing your renewal was processed.
After you submit your payment, the Colorado Department of Revenue will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even though it will show an expiration date that has passed.
When you cannot use online renewal and must go in person
If your license expired more than one year ago, the online system will reject your renewal. You will need to visit a Colorado driver's license office and complete a full renewal process in person. Bring your current (expired) license, proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease, and proof of Social Security number such as a Social Security card or tax return.
Address changes also require an in-person visit. If you have moved since your license was issued, you must go to a driver's license office and provide proof of your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current address. The office will not accept online renewal requests from people with address changes because the system cannot verify your new location.
Commercial driver's licenses, learner's permits, and licenses with medical restrictions or court-ordered holds cannot be renewed online under any circumstances. If your license has any of these designations, you must renew in person at a Colorado driver's license office.
Finding a Colorado driver's license office if you need to renew in person
The Colorado Department of Revenue operates driver's license offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Department of Revenue website. Many offices operate by appointment only, so check whether you need to schedule a time slot before you visit. Some offices have walk-in hours on specific days, but appointment slots often fill up weeks in advance.
Bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to your appointment. Processing times vary by office, but most in-person renewals are completed the same day. You will receive a temporary paper license to use while your permanent license is mailed to you, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
What happens after you submit your online renewal
Once your payment is processed, the Colorado Department of Revenue sends your process to their printing facility. Your new license is printed with a new expiration date five years from the date you renewed. The license is then mailed to the address on file in your current record.
Track your renewal status by visiting the Colorado Department of Revenue website and entering your driver's license number. The status page will show whether your license has been printed and mailed. If you do not receive your license within 10 business days, contact the Department of Revenue to report it as potentially lost in the mail.
You can drive legally on your expired license until your new one arrives. Once your new license is in hand, destroy your old license by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact, as it contains personal information that could be used for identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired two years ago?
No. Online renewal is only for licenses that expired within the past 12 months. If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a Colorado driver's license office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
What if I moved since my license was issued?
You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must visit a Colorado driver's license office in person and provide proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. The office will update your address and issue your new license during your visit.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after you complete your online renewal. You can continue to drive on your current (expired) license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive it within 10 business days, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?
No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a Colorado driver's license office. The same applies to learner's permits and licenses with medical restrictions or court-ordered holds.
What payment methods does Colorado accept for online renewal?
The Colorado Department of Revenue accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic check payments for online renewal. The fee is $28.25 for a five-year license. You will receive a confirmation number and receipt after your payment is processed.