You can renew your Colorado driver's license online if your license is still valid or expired less than one year ago
Colorado's online renewal system lets you renew without visiting a driver's license office, as long as you meet a few conditions. Your current license must not be suspended or revoked, you cannot have changed your name or address since your last renewal, and you must have a valid email address. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.25 for a five-year renewal or $56.50 for a ten-year renewal. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use the online system—you will need to visit a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office in person. The same applies if you have an outstanding traffic ticket, a suspended license, or if you need to change your address or name on your license.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your Colorado license is still valid or expired less than one year ago, and you have not had any suspensions or revocations.
- You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address to start the renewal.
- The online system accepts payment by debit card or credit card; your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year, you are suspended, or you need to change your address or name, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
How to start your online renewal on the Colorado DMV website
Go to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the main menu. You will be taken to the online renewal portal. The system will ask you to enter your current driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. Have your license in front of you when you start.
After verification, the system displays your current license information—name, address, date of birth, and license class. Review this carefully. If any detail is wrong, you cannot correct it online; you will need to visit a DMV office instead. If everything is correct, proceed to the next step.
What information you need before you begin
Gather these items before you log in: your current Colorado driver's license, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address where you can receive your renewal confirmation. You do not need to upload a new photo—the DMV uses your existing photo from your current license.
If you have changed your mailing address since your last renewal, you cannot complete the online renewal. You will need to visit a DMV office to update your address and renew at the same time. The same applies if you have changed your name—online renewal does not allow name changes.
Payment and what happens after you submit
At the end of the online process, you will enter payment information. Colorado accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The cost is $28.25 for a five-year renewal or $56.50 for a ten-year renewal. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Save this number—you may need it if you have questions about your renewal.
Your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your current license remains valid. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your current license is still legal to use.
When you cannot renew online and must visit a DMV office
The online system will reject your renewal if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you have an active traffic hold, or if your license expired more than one year ago. You will also be turned away if you need to change your name, address, or license class. In any of these cases, you must schedule an appointment at a Colorado DMV office and renew in person.
If you are unsure whether your license is suspended, call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 before attempting to renew online. A staff member can tell you whether your record is clear and whether online renewal is available to you.
What to do if your online renewal does not go through
If your payment is declined, the system will tell you when ready and will not process your renewal. Check that your card number, expiration date, and security code are correct, then try again. If the same card is declined twice, try a different card or visit a DMV office to renew in person.
If you complete the renewal but do not receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 with your confirmation number (if you have one) or your driver's license number. Do not attempt to renew again—doing so may result in duplicate charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. The online system will reject your renewal if your license is suspended or revoked. You must contact the Colorado DMV to resolve the suspension first, then renew in person at a DMV office.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid during this time, so you can continue to drive legally.
What if I moved to a new address since my last renewal?
You cannot change your address online. You must visit a Colorado DMV office in person to update your address and renew your license at the same time.
Can I renew online if my license expired two years ago?
No. Online renewal is only available if your license expired less than one year ago. If it has been expired longer, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
What if I do not receive my new license after 10 business days?
Contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5613 with your confirmation number. They can track your license and tell you where it is in the mail process. If it has been lost, they can issue a replacement.