You can renew Colorado plates online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website if your vehicle passes inspection and your registration is not suspended
Colorado's online renewal system lets you renew your plates without visiting a county clerk's office, as long as your vehicle has a current inspection sticker and you meet a few basic requirements. The process takes about 10 minutes and you can pay by credit or debit card. Your new registration documents arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
You cannot renew online if your registration is suspended, if you have unpaid traffic violations or fines, or if your vehicle failed its most recent inspection. In those cases, you must visit a county clerk's office in person.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado's online renewal system is available at the Department of Revenue website and requires your current vehicle registration number and driver's license number.
- Your vehicle must have a current inspection sticker (within the last 12 months) to renew online; if it expired, you must get a new inspection first.
- You can renew online only if your registration is not suspended and you have no unpaid traffic fines or violations.
- New registration documents arrive by mail in one to two weeks; you can print a temporary registration receipt when ready after paying.
- If you cannot renew online, your county clerk's office can process the renewal in person or by mail.
What you need before you start
Have your current vehicle registration card in front of you — you will need the registration number printed on it. You will also need your Colorado driver's license number or state ID number. If you are renewing for a vehicle registered to a business, you will need the business tax ID number instead.
Check that your vehicle's inspection sticker is current. The sticker shows the month and year it expires. If the sticker is expired or missing, you cannot renew online and must get a new inspection at an approved inspection station before you can proceed. Colorado inspection stations are listed on the Department of Revenue website.
Make sure your registration is not suspended. If you have unpaid traffic fines, unpaid parking tickets, or other violations on your driving record, the system will reject your renewal. You must resolve those issues at your county clerk's office or through the court before you can renew online.
Steps to renew online
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's vehicle registration renewal page. Click the link for online renewal and you will be directed to the state's find payment system.
Enter your vehicle registration number and your driver's license number or state ID number. The system will pull up your current registration information. Review it to make sure the vehicle details, owner name, and address are correct. If anything is wrong, you cannot fix it online — you will need to visit a county clerk's office instead.
Select your renewal period. Colorado allows you to renew for one year or two years at a time. Two-year renewals cost more upfront but mean you renew less often. Choose the option that works for you.
Review the renewal fee. The fee depends on your vehicle's weight and type. The system will show you the exact amount before you pay. Pay by credit card or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number and a temporary registration receipt that you can print when ready.
Your new registration documents and license plates (if applicable) will arrive by mail. Standard mail delivery takes one to two weeks. Do not remove your old plates until the new ones arrive.
When you cannot renew online
If your vehicle inspection is expired or missing, you must get a new inspection before you can renew. Find an approved inspection station through the Department of Revenue website, bring your vehicle and current registration, and pay the inspection fee. Once you have a new sticker, you can return to the online renewal system.
If your registration is suspended, the online system will tell you why. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, unpaid parking violations, or a lapsed insurance policy. You must resolve the issue that caused the suspension — usually by paying the fine or providing proof of insurance — before you can renew. Contact your county clerk's office to find out what you need to do.
If your registration information in the system is incorrect (wrong address, wrong owner name, or wrong vehicle details), you cannot fix it online. You must visit a county clerk's office in person to update your registration before you can renew.
Renewing by mail or in person instead
If you prefer not to renew online or cannot renew online, you can renew by mail or in person at your county clerk's office. To renew by mail, contact your county clerk to request a renewal form, fill it out, and mail it back with a check or money order. Processing takes two to four weeks by mail.
To renew in person, visit your county clerk's office with your current registration card, proof of vehicle inspection, and payment. Bring your driver's license or state ID. In-person renewals are usually processed the same day. County clerk office hours and locations vary by county — search for your county clerk online to find the nearest office and hours.
What happens after you renew
Once your payment is processed, you will see a confirmation page with a confirmation number. Print this page or save it — it serves as proof that you have renewed. You can also print a temporary registration receipt from the confirmation page.
Your new registration documents will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. If you ordered new license plates, they will arrive separately. Do not remove your old plates until the new ones arrive. Once the new plates arrive, remove the old ones and install the new ones. Return the old plates to your county clerk's office or follow the instructions that come with your new plates.
If your registration documents do not arrive within three weeks, contact the Department of Revenue to check the status of your renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my plates if my vehicle inspection expired last month?
No. You must get a new inspection at an approved station before you can renew online. Once you have a current inspection sticker, you can return to the renewal system and complete the process.
What if I get an error message when I try to renew online?
Error messages usually mean your registration is suspended, your inspection is expired, or your registration information in the system is incorrect. The error message will tell you which issue applies. If you cannot understand the message, contact your county clerk's office — they can tell you what needs to be fixed and how to fix it.
Do I get new license plates every time I renew online?
Not always. Colorado reuses plates for several years. You only get new plates if yours are damaged, if you request a personalized plate, or if the state decides to issue new ones. The renewal system will tell you whether new plates are included in your renewal.
How long does it take to get my new registration documents?
Standard mail delivery takes one to two weeks from the time your payment is processed. If you need your documents faster, contact your county clerk's office — some offices can issue a temporary registration document in person while you wait for the official documents to arrive by mail.
Can I renew online if I just bought the vehicle?
Only if the vehicle is already registered in your name in Colorado. If you just bought it and the title transfer is not complete, you cannot renew the old registration online. You must complete the title transfer at your county clerk's office first, then you can renew online.