Frequently Asked Questions
| Q. | Mailing addresses; Business location and Express mail information? | ||
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** If you choose to reinstate and use Express Mail to get your documents to the Department faster, you must use Express Mail from the U.S. Postal Service. No FedEx, UPS, etc. will be accepted at this PO Box. Sending to any other address listed could slow down the processing of your reinstatement.
You can use any express mail service to send your non-reinstatement information to us. However, if you want us to return your information to you by express mail we will only use pre-paid express mail through the U. S. Postal Service to return that information. We will NOT use Federal Express or any other type of overnight service.
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| Q. | Getting Driving Records: My Own/Others? | ||
| A. | Driving records provided by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles reflect activity that has been retained for the last seven years. Records are for seven years and cannot be limited to show any time period less than seven years. Our records are maintained in accordance with State and Federal law, which includes the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission.
You can get a copy of your driving record in two different ways. You can either go into a driver's license office (please check the Driver's License office list to determine offices that do motor vehicle records Colorado-Driver License Offices) and obtain a regular non-certified copy of the record or you can send in a written request to this office. The written request will need to include your full name, date of birth, and your driver's license number if available. A complete legible signature is required on the request. Please specify certified or non-certified copy of the driving record. Driver Services at 1881 Pierce in Lakewood is the only office that can provide a certified driving record.
The fee for a non-certified driving record is $2.20. The fee for a certified copy of a driving record is $2.70. We will accept a personal check or money order made out to the Department of Revenue. It could take 10 to 14 business days after the request is received before the request for a motor vehicle record is mailed out to the requestor.
Only USPS Express Mail is accepted; Federal Express, UPS or other delivery services cannot be accepted.
Regular or Priority Mailing address: Department of Revenue
Reinstatement Mailing address: Colorado Department of Revenue
Business address: Department of Revenue
Express mail address: Department of Revenue |
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| Q. | How do I get a copy of someone else's driving record: | ||
| A. | Due to the Privacy Law, an individual cannot receive a copy of someone else's driving record without that person's written permission. If you are an employer or there is a court case pending, you can read over our Requestor Release and Affidavit of Intended Use form DR2489 to see if you meet any of the listed criteria to request the record. If you meet the criteria, you can print the form, fill it out and send it in with the fee which is $2.20 for a copy of the motor vehicle record or $2.70 to have it certified.
Only USPS Express Mail is accepted; Federal Express, UPS or other delivery services cannot be accepted.
Regular or Priority Mailing address: Department of Revenue
Reinstatement Mailing address: Colorado Department of Revenue
Business address: Department of Revenue
Express mail address: Department of Revenue |
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| Q. | Out-of-State Duplicate? | ||
| A. | An out-of-state duplicate is a license issued to a person who is currently out-of-state and their license has been lost or stolen.
To be eligible for an out-of-state duplicate you must have a valid Colorado driver's license, clear national driving record, have no unpaid tickets and pay the required fee.
In order to get an out-of-state duplicate you will need to fill out the Reissue Out-of-State Extension form DR2989. A friend or relative in Colorado may take your completed form to 1881 Pierce Street in Lakewood, Co and request your out-of-state duplicate. You may also send your completed request to Division of Motor Vehicles, Room 136, Denver, CO 80261-0016. The duplicate license will be sent to the address that you provide on the form. You will need to include a check or money order made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue. |
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| Q. | Out-of-State Extension | ||
| A. | An out-of-state extension is a sticker that is issued to extend the expiration date of a license if a person is out-of-state when their license expires. A civilian extension is for one year from the expiration date and can only be issued once, unless the person is out of the country then a second extension can be issued with a separate request done within 90 days of expiration of the first extension. A military extension is for three years from the expiration date of the license and you may only be issued one military extension.
Anyone whose license is valid or expired for less than one year may request an extension if they are not in Colorado to renew their license. There may not be any unpaid tickets on the record for an extension to be issued.
A military extension is free. A civilian extension is $3.00. Add $2.00 for a motorcycle endorsement. The department will need a written request for an extension, signed by you with an out-of-state address. For military personnel, you must provide a copy of your military ID (front and back) or a copy of your military orders. Requests for a military extension may be faxed to 303-205-5990. For civilians applying for an extension, you will need to provide your full name, date of birth, and out-of-state address, and the $3.00 fee. Make check or money order payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
NOTE TO CDL DRIVERS: Due to medical and testing requirements for CDL drivers, only a 30-day extension is available. There is no fee for this 30-day extension. Please submit your request to the address listed below. Driver Control Section Colorado Department of Revenue Room 164 - ROS Denver, CO 80261-0016
NOTE TO CDL DRIVERS: If you have a Colorado CDL license and are based out of the state or overseas, the license is automatically extended for up to three years per Colorado Revised Statute 42-2-118(2) as long as a military ID or military orders are presented with the license. Please do not request an extension, no sticker will be mailed. |
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| Q. | How can I reinstate a suspension or revocation? | ||
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a. Paid receipt from the court b. $95.00 reinstatement fee c. New license and fee required
a. Compliance received by DMV from child support agency b. $95.00 reinstatement fee
a. Period of suspension complete b. Evidence of current liability insurance with your name on the policy c. $95.00 reinstatement fee
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| Q. | How do I request a letter of clearance? | ||
| A. | You will need to send in a written request asking for a letter of clearance. In the request you will need to include your full name, date of birth, an address if we are to mail this letter of clearance, and a check or money order in the amount of $2.20 or $2.70 for a certified copy. A complete legible signature is required on the request.
Mailing address is listed below.
Regular or Priority mailing address: Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles Driver Control Section Denver, CO 80261-0016
Express Mail Address: Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles Driver Control Section 1881 Pierce St. Lakewood, CO 80214
You can use any express mail service to send your non-reinstatement information to us. However, if you want us to return your information to you by express mail we will only use pre-paid express mail through the U. S. Postal Service to return that information. We will NOT use Federal Express or any other type of overnight service. |
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| Q. | What is the difference between a Suspension, Revocation, Cancellation &/or Denial of my driving privilege? | ||
| A. | Revocation: A mandatory restraint action on a valid driver's license or driving privilege. A revoked license is invalid and cannot be re-issued. After reinstatement of your driving privilege you must re-test (both written and drive) to be issued a new license.
Suspension: A temporary withdrawal of the driving privilege. A suspension is a restraint action but does not void the driver's license. A valid license may be re-issued upon reinstatement. A license that has expired, must be renewed upon reinstatement. Point suspensions require a written test at renewal.
Denial: A restraint action when no valid license exists at the time of restraint.
Cancellation/Denial: Actions to void a Colorado license and deny the driving privilege. Reinstatement is required and passing of a written and a road test is mandatory.
Cancellation: This action will void a valid Colorado license. A cancellation, by itself, is not a restraint action and does NOT require reinstatement if complied with in a timely manner. Another license/permit may be issued, unless the reason for cancellation is still outstanding. |
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| Q. | Why does the state require me to take alcohol classes when the court doesn't? | ||
| A. | There are circumstances where the court may not order you to take alcohol classes but the state will as a requirement for reinstatement. Colorado statutes require these classes for certain types of revocations. For more information on alcohol classes: Level I and Level II courses brochure . |
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| Q. | Why do I have to take a re-exam when my license does not expire for several more years? | ||
| A. | There are several reasons that the State may require you to come in and take a re-examination. When you have two accidents on your record within three years of each other, we will ask you to take a re-examination. You may also be asked to take a re-examination if a family member or doctor feels, for medical reasons, you should take a re-examination. A law enforcement officer may also file an incident report requesting that you take a re-examination. |
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| Q. | How do I request a re-examination for a family member? | ||
| A. | The department can request a driver to take a re-examination based on written information received from a doctor, a law enforcement agency, a court, or an immediate family member. |
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| Q. | Can the request for re-exam be kept confidential? | ||
| A. | The request cannot be kept confidential. The driver has the right to know why he/she is being required to take a re-examination. The driver can upon proof of identification and a $2.20 fee be provided a copy of the written information used by our office to request the re-examination. |
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| Q. | What if the family member in question has medical issues? | ||
| A. | If the driver has medical issues the family member should contact the driver's doctor and have the doctor provide a written request for the re-examination. |
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| Q. | Can re-examinations be extended if I can't take my re-examination? | ||
| A. | Re-examinations cannot be extended unless requested by a doctor. The doctor must provide, on letterhead, the reason for the extension and the length of the extension. If the extension time period is to be longer than two weeks from the original time request then the restraint will go into effect. When the driver is able to take and pass the re-examination on the first attempt, the action will be rescinded. |
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| Q. | How is the driver notified that he/she needs to take a re-examination? | ||
| A. | The driver is notified by mail that he/she has twenty days from the date of the correspondence to take a re-examination. The letter informs the driver to contact the nearest full service driver's license office . |
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| Q. | What is an NRVC? | ||
| A. | NRVC stands for Non-Resident Violator Compact which means the state of Colorado and most of the states in the United States belong to a compact. If you receive a ticket in a state that is not your state of residency and you fail to pay the fine, the state where you received the ticket will notify your home state. Your home state will suspend your driver's license until the ticket has been paid. |
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| Q. | How do I clear an NRVC suspension? | ||
| A. | To clear an NRVC suspension you will need to pay the fine for the ticket to the court. Once the fine is paid, and you have received a receipt back from the court, you will need to forward the receipt to this office with a completed Application for Reinstatement (DR 2870) and pay a $95.00 reinstatement fee.
If you choose to reinstate and use Express Mail to expedite the process, you must use Express Mail from the U.S. Post Office. No FedEx, UPs, etc., will be accepted at this PO Box. Sending to any other address listed could slow down the processing of your reinstatement.
Reinstatement Mailing address: Colorado Department of Revenue Driver's License Reinstatement P O Box 173345 Denver, CO 80217-3345
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| Q. | What is a probationary driver's license (red license)? | ||
| A. | A probationary driver's license is a license to drive, for limited purposes, usually driving to and from the place of employment or to perform duties in the course of employment, during the term of a license suspension. A driving privilege for Commercial Vehicles is not granted. |
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| Q. | How can I get a probationary driver's license? | ||
| A. | A probationary license is usually granted for persons with a points suspension or a child support suspension. All tickets must be paid prior to the issuance of any probationary license.
At the time of your hearing you will need to speak to your hearing officer about the issuance of a probationary driver's license. If you are under suspension and have not had a hearing you will need to contact the hearing section at 303-205-5606 and request a hearing.
If you have a Child Support suspension you may be granted a probationary license. This license will be valid for 90 days and will be for work related purposes. You must bring with you a letter of employment, evidence of insurance, surrender you regular license and pay the fee of $5.00. You may not be under any other current restraint action. |
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| Q. | What happens if I violate the restrictions of my probationary driver's license? | ||
| A. | If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer, and you are outside of your restrictions, the officer will confiscate the license for violating the terms of the license. By law a probationary license can also be taken away from someone if they get any ticket while on the probationary license. Once the license is confiscated, or you receive a ticket, the probationary driver's license will be cancelled and you will not be able to drive for the duration of your suspension. |
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| Q. | What is an OJW? | ||
| A. | OJW stands for Outstanding Judgment Warrant. If an OJW is incurred a fee is still owed to the court on a ticket (citation). If an OJW is put on your record it must be resolved or your license may be cancelled and denied. |
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| Q. | How do I clear an OJW? | ||
| A. | To clear an OJW you are required to obtain a courtesy clearance, or a copy of the original ticket, stating the fine has been paid, the date and signature of the court clerk. All information must match on both the OJW and the clearance. Court listings If your license is cancelled or denied because of the OJW you must go through the reinstatement process. |
