A drivers license renewal in Colorado allows the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is administered by the state Department of Revenue (DOR), to make sure that all motorists in the state have up-to-date information on their driving credentials. Unlike many other states, requesting a DMV license renewal in CO is similar to applying for a replacement credential. In any case, there are certain requirements related to renewing a driver’s license, such as proving your identity and state residency.

In this article, you will learn how to renew your drivers license online or in person. Moreover, you will explore the methods offered by the DOR and the applicable fees you must pay for this service. Furthermore, the following sections will detail which documents you will be required to submit during a Colorado driving license renewal procedure.

Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in Colorado

Colorado Drivers License
Note: The expiration date of your CO driver’s license is written on the front of your driver’s license card, right above the issue date.

In order to renew a driver’s license in Colorado, you must already hold a license to drive. In CO, you must be at least 16 years of age in order to obtain a driving credential. Despite the fact that two documents proving your state residency are normally required during a DOR license renewal, the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act provides an exception.

You will be allowed to get a license without these proofs, but the license will not be REAL ID-compliant. This means that you will not be able to use this credential to board a domestic flight in the U.S. starting September 2020.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in Colorado

You can renew your license in Colorado at any time. This means that if you misplace your credential, it can be renewed at the same time that you request a replacement. Overall, this makes CO one of the easiest states for renewing a driving license.

On the other hand, be mindful that if your driving credential was issued in a different state, you will not be able to request a DMV license renewal in Colorado. Instead, you will need to apply for new a license that will be issued by the CO DOR.

How early can you renew your drivers license in Colorado?

As a general rule, if you walk into a drivers license office in Colorado with a driving credential that has not expired, you will be able to renew it. Essentially, this means you do not have to wait to renew. On the other hand, there is no advantage to renewing a driver license soon after you get it. However, in the event that you are planning to spend a significant amount of time out of state and would not like to risk having your license expire, it can be advantageous to renew early.

An expired drivers license in CO cannot be used for a motorist to operate a vehicle on state roads. That said, you are still allowed to renew the card up to one year after it has expired. Once this date has passed, you will need to apply for a new driving license instead.

Colorado DMV License Renewal Options

“Where can I renew my drivers license in Colorado?” Most of the time, you will be able to renew your credential through an online method offered by the state Department of Revenue. However, be mindful that certain applicants will not qualify for this online procedure, having to request a renewal in person instead.

As an example, you will not be allowed to renew your drivers license online more than two times in a row. On the other hand, exceptions are made for applicants who are between 60 and 65 years of age, who may renew online as many times as they wish. Conversely, if you are a licensed motorists who has turned 21 years of age, you will be required to renew your driving credential in person in order to get an adult driver’s license.

How to Renew Your Drivers License Online

In order to renew a drivers license online, you will need to provide the Department of Revenue (DOR) with basic personal information, such as your name, birth date and Social Security Number (SSN). You can do so using the DOR’s official online portal. If you renew using this method, you will need to pay the applicable fees by using a credit card. On the other hand, you will not be able to use this method if:

  • You are younger than 21 years of age
  • You are older than 65 years of age
  • Your personal information on record with the DOR is not up to date
  • You need to take any written or road skills tests

How to Renew Your Drivers License in Person

You are also able to renew a driving credential in person by filling out the Colorado drivers license renewal form at a local DOR office. During your visit, you will be required to provide documents that verify personal details about you, such as:

  • One document that verifies your identity
  • One document that shows your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Two documents that prove your state residency

When meeting the requirements to request a CO DMV license renewal, be mindful that your identity can be proven by submitting your current drivers license. However, if the license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to bring a passport or a birth certificate. To verify your Social Security Number, you may bring a Social Security card or a W-2 form from the past two years. Furthermore, in order to prove your state residency status, you may provide bank correspondence, credit card statements and/or utility bills.

No matter where you renew your Colorado drivers license in person, you will be asked to pay for the DOR licensing fees with cash, money orders, checks or credit/debit cards.

Military & Out of State Renewal in Colorado

The Colorado drivers license renewal process for active duty military service members and veterans is similar to the procedure for all other residents. The biggest difference is that service members and veterans can request to extend their credentials by three years if they are unable to renew their driving licenses before their expiration dates. As with regular citizens, military service members and veterans may renew a DOR license at any time.

If you know that you will be out of state when your driving credential reaches its expiration date, make sure to renew your CO license before you leave. You are allowed to do so at any time, no matter how far the document is from its expiration date.

Colorado REAL ID Drivers License Renewal

General drivers license renewal requirements in Colorado require you to provide proof that you reside in the state. If you cannot provide this proof, the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act says that you can still get a REAL ID credential.

Thus, despite the fact that you will be issued a license that will allow you to drive on state roads, federal agencies will not accept it as a form of identification from 2020 onwards. Furthermore, your license will state, “Not for Federal Identification.” Most notably, this means you will not be able to board domestic flights without a passport.

Colorado Drivers License Renewal Fees

Many state residents wonder, “How much is it to renew your drivers license in Colorado?” The following fees pertain to some of the most common renewal procedures:

  • The driving license renewal fee is $28.
  • If you do not have documentation that proves your residency, the cost of renewing your license is $33.
  • Veterans and active service members can push their expiration deadline back by three years for free.
  • Civilians will need to pay $6.50 to push their expiration date back by one year.
Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.