Colorado driver's licenses renew every 10 years, and you can renew by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office
Your Colorado driver's license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the front. The Colorado Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Division handles renewals. You have several options depending on whether you need a REAL ID-compliant license, whether your address or name has changed, and how soon you need the new card.
The fastest route for most people is online renewal through the Colorado DMV website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.75 for a standard 10-year license. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks but requires no trip to an office. In-person renewal at a local DMV office is necessary only if your license was suspended, if you need a REAL ID upgrade, or if you cannot renew online because of a name or address change that requires verification.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado driver's licenses renew online, by mail, or in person, with online being the fastest option at 10 minutes and costing $28.75 for a standard license.
- You can renew online only if your current license is valid, your address and name have not changed, and you do not need a REAL ID upgrade.
- Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and requires you to submit your current license, a renewal form, and payment by check or money order.
- In-person renewal is required if your license was suspended, if you need a REAL ID, or if your name or address has changed since your last renewal.
- REAL ID-compliant licenses cost $33.75 and require proof of citizenship, a Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
Online renewal: the fastest option if your information has not changed
Online renewal through the Colorado DMV website is available if your current license is valid (not expired or suspended), your name and address have not changed, and you do not need a REAL ID upgrade. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Go to the Colorado DMV website, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and follow the prompts. You will confirm your personal information, choose whether you want a standard license or a REAL ID, and pay the renewal fee. The system will tell you when ready whether your renewal was accepted. If it was, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number.
Online renewal costs $28.75 for a standard 10-year license. If you want a REAL ID-compliant license instead, the fee is $33.75, but you cannot complete the REAL ID upgrade online—you must do that in person at a DMV office with proof of citizenship and address.
Mail renewal: 2 to 3 weeks but no office visit required
Mail renewal is an option if your license is not expired, suspended, or revoked. You will need to submit your current license, a completed process for Renewal of Driver's License form (DR 2261), and payment by check or money order. The Colorado DMV will process your renewal and mail your new license to the address on file.
To renew by mail, read the DR 2261 form from the Colorado DMV website or request it by phone at 303-205-5600. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and payment to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the DMV receives your packet. Mail your renewal at least 4 weeks before your license expires to avoid a gap.
Mail renewal costs $28.75 for a standard license. You cannot upgrade to a REAL ID by mail; that requires an in-person visit with proof of citizenship and address.
In-person renewal at a Colorado DMV office
Visit a local DMV office if your license was suspended or revoked, if you need a REAL ID upgrade, if your name or address has changed since your last renewal, or if you prefer to renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment by cash, check, or debit card. If your name has changed, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Find your nearest DMV office on the Colorado DMV website and check its hours before you go. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. If an appointment is required, you can book one online or by phone. Processing at the office usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your new license will be issued on the spot if you are renewing a standard license, or mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days if you are upgrading to a REAL ID.
In-person renewal costs $28.75 for a standard license or $33.75 for a REAL ID. If you need a REAL ID, bring proof of citizenship (a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return).
REAL ID upgrade: what you need and why it matters
A REAL ID-compliant license meets federal security standards and is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building as of May 7, 2025. If your current Colorado license does not have a gold star in the top right corner, it is not REAL ID-compliant. You cannot upgrade to a REAL ID online or by mail; you must visit a DMV office in person.
Bring your current license, proof of citizenship (a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers, or tribal ID), proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, a W-2, or a recent tax return), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If you have changed your name, also bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change.
A REAL ID license costs $33.75 and is valid for 10 years. If you renew your standard license now and upgrade to a REAL ID later, you will pay both fees separately. If you upgrade at the time of renewal, you pay only the REAL ID fee.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
If your license expires before your renewal is processed, you cannot legally drive. If you renewed online or by mail and your new license has not arrived by your expiration date, contact the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to confirm your renewal was received and to ask about the status. You may be able to get a temporary paper license to drive while you wait.
If your license has already expired and you have not renewed it, you can still renew online, by mail, or in person using the same process. There is no penalty for renewing after expiration, but you cannot drive until your new license arrives or is issued. If you are stopped by police while driving with an expired license, you may be cited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Colorado license if I have moved out of state?
No. Colorado issues licenses only to residents. If you have moved to another state, you must obtain a license from that state. You can renew your Colorado license only if you still live in Colorado or have a Colorado address on file.
What if my name has changed since my last renewal?
You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed.
How long does it take to get a REAL ID license in Colorado?
If you upgrade to a REAL ID at a DMV office, the license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot get a REAL ID on the spot; the office issues a temporary paper license you can use to drive while you wait for the card.
What if I lose my license before my renewal arrives?
Contact the Colorado DMV to report the loss and request a replacement. You will need to pay a replacement fee and may need to visit an office in person. If your renewal was already in progress, the DMV can cancel it and issue a replacement instead.
Can I renew my license if it was suspended?
No. You must resolve the suspension first by paying any outstanding fines, completing a required course, or meeting other conditions set by the court or DMV. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew in person at a DMV office.