Colorado vehicle licenses and registrations renew on the same schedule, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a county clerk's office

Colorado calls its vehicle registration a "license plate" renewal, and it happens every year or every two years depending on your vehicle type and when you last registered it. You do not need to visit an office in person — the Colorado Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Section lets you renew online through their website, by mail, or at your county clerk's office if you prefer face-to-face service. The renewal notice arrives about 30 days before your expiration date, and that notice tells you your exact important date and renewal fee.

Your registration expires on the last day of the month printed on your current license plate sticker. If you renew before that date, your new sticker is valid when ready. If you renew after the expiration date, you are driving with an expired registration, which is a traffic violation in Colorado and can result in a fine.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado sends a renewal notice 30 days before your registration expires; check the expiration month on your current license plate sticker if you have not received one.
  • Online renewal through the Colorado Department of Revenue website is the fastest route and takes a few minutes if your vehicle information has not changed.
  • You will need your current registration, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check) to renew online.
  • If your vehicle has a lien, a safety inspection failure, or outstanding emissions test results, you may not be able to renew online and will need to visit a county clerk's office or contact the Motor Vehicles Section.
  • Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but works if you prefer not to use the internet; include your renewal notice, payment, and a signed form with your process.

Renewing online through the Colorado Department of Revenue

The Colorado Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Section website (dmv.colorado.gov) is the fastest way to renew. Log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, or create an account if you do not have one. The system will pull up your vehicle registration and show you the renewal fee, which varies by vehicle weight and type.

Online renewal works only if your vehicle passed its last safety inspection (if required), your emissions test is current (if required in your county), and there are no liens or holds on the registration. If any of those conditions are not met, the system will tell you and direct you to the next step. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Your new registration is valid when ready after payment, and you can print a temporary registration receipt to carry in your vehicle while you wait for the physical sticker to arrive by mail.

The physical sticker typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, keep the printed receipt with you; it is a valid proof of registration in Colorado.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal requires your renewal notice, a signed check or money order for the renewal fee, and the completed process form. The renewal notice includes the process form and instructions; if you have lost your notice, you can read the form from the Motor Vehicles Section website or request one by calling the Motor Vehicles Section at 303-205-5600.

Mail your payment and form to the address printed on your renewal notice. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the Motor Vehicles Section receives your envelope. Your new sticker arrives separately by mail after processing is complete. Do not mail cash; use a check or money order only.

Mail renewal is slower than online renewal, but it works if you do not have internet access or prefer not to provide payment information online. The important date is still the expiration date on your current sticker, so mail your renewal at least 3 weeks before that date to avoid driving with an expired registration.

Renewing in person at a county clerk's office

Every Colorado county has a clerk's office that handles vehicle registration renewals. Bring your current registration, proof of identity (driver's license or passport), and a payment method (cash, check, debit card, or credit card). Some county offices accept all payment types; others accept only certain ones. Call your county clerk's office before you go to confirm what they take.

Processing is when ready in most cases. You walk out with your new sticker the same day, or the clerk will mail it to you if the office does not have the sticker in stock. In-person renewal is useful if you have a problem that blocks online renewal — a lien, a failed safety inspection, or an expired emissions test — because the clerk can often help you resolve it or direct you to the right office.

Wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices are usually less busy early in the morning and on weekdays. You can find your county clerk's office address and phone number on the Colorado Secretary of State website.

Safety inspections and emissions tests

Colorado requires a safety inspection for all vehicles, and an emissions test for vehicles registered in certain counties (Denver, Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld). Your renewal notice tells you whether your vehicle needs either test. If it does, you must complete the test before you renew your registration.

Safety inspections check brakes, lights, steering, tires, and windshield wipers. Emissions tests measure tailpipe emissions. Both are performed by private inspection stations, not by the state. You can find approved stations through the Motor Vehicles Section website. The inspection or test costs money (typically $20 to $40 for safety, $30 to $50 for emissions), and results are sent electronically to the Motor Vehicles Section. Once the results are recorded, you can renew online or by mail without delay.

If your vehicle fails a safety inspection, you must fix the problem and have the vehicle re-inspected before you can renew. If your vehicle fails an emissions test, you may be able to renew if you schedule a repair appointment within a certain time frame; the inspection station will explain your options.

Vehicles with liens and special circumstances

If your vehicle has a lien (you are still paying off a loan), the lienholder's name appears on your registration. You can still renew online or by mail, but the Motor Vehicles Section will mail the new registration to the lienholder's address, not yours. Contact your lender if you need the registration sent to you instead.

If you have recently moved and your address on file with the Motor Vehicles Section is outdated, update it before you renew. You can update your address online through the Motor Vehicles Section website or at a county clerk's office. If you renew with an outdated address, your renewal notice and new sticker will be mailed to the old address.

If your vehicle registration was suspended or revoked (for unpaid fines, unpaid taxes, or other violations), you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the Motor Vehicles Section to find out why your registration was suspended and what you need to do to restore it.

Renewal fees and what affects the cost

Colorado registration fees are based on your vehicle's weight and type. A passenger car typically costs less to renew than a truck or SUV. The renewal notice you receive shows your exact fee. Fees do not change year to year for the same vehicle unless Colorado law changes the fee structure.

If you renew late (after your expiration date), you may owe a late fee in addition to the renewal fee. The Motor Vehicles Section website shows the late fee amount. Renewing before your expiration date avoids this extra cost.

Some vehicles may have access to for reduced registration fees: electric vehicles, vehicles owned by disabled veterans, and vehicles used for certain commercial purposes. If you think your vehicle qualifies, ask at your county clerk's office or call the Motor Vehicles Section.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I did not receive my renewal notice?

Check the expiration date on your current license plate sticker. If the notice is lost or you moved recently, you can renew online through the Motor Vehicles Section website without the notice — the system will pull up your vehicle information. If you prefer to renew by mail, read the process form from the Motor Vehicles Section website or call 303-205-5600 to request one.

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle failed a safety inspection?

No. You must fix the problem and have the vehicle re-inspected before you can renew. Once the inspection station sends the passing result to the Motor Vehicles Section, you can renew online, by mail, or in person.

What happens if I drive with an expired registration?

An expired registration is a traffic violation in Colorado. A police officer can pull you over and issue a citation, which typically results in a fine. Renewing before your expiration date avoids this penalty.

How long does it take to receive my new license plate sticker after I renew online?

The physical sticker arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can print a temporary registration receipt when ready after paying online and carry it in your vehicle as proof of registration until the sticker arrives.

Can I renew my registration if I still owe money on my vehicle loan?

Yes. The lienholder's name will appear on your registration, and the Motor Vehicles Section will mail the new registration to the lienholder's address on file. Contact your lender if you need the registration sent to your address instead.