To be issued a Colorado Driver's License or Identification Card, you must prove the following elements: your full legal name, identity, age, and lawful presence  in the United States. The Identification Requirements Chart shows the documents that you may use to prove each of these elements. In some cases, a single document may prove all four elements. However, it may be necessary for some applicants to provide multiple documents in order to prove all the required elements. All documents presented must be certified originals or certified amended originals or true copies certified by the issuing agency.

If you can not prove each of the required elements with the documents set forth in the chart, then you may request to go through "Exceptions Processing" in order to prove the required elements with additional/alternative documents.  Your local Driver's License Office can provide more information.

Basic Colorado driver's license --

$21.00, adults age 21 and older, valid for five years.
$21.00, minors age 16 to 21, valid until 20 days after their 21st birthday.

 

Colorado Commercial driver's license (CDL) --

$35.00, valid for four years

Any license with a motorcycle endorsement will have a $2.00 surcharge added to the overall fee.

 

Colorado Instruction Permit --

$14.00, valid for 3 years from the date of issue unless there is a change in age group from minor to adult.

Colorado Identification Card --

$10.50, adults age 21 to 59, valid for five years.
Free for adults age 60 and older, valid for five years.
$10.50 for minors* to age 21, must be renewed on the 21st birthday.

 

*The Minor age group now includes all applicants under age 21. Minor identification cards issued on or after 07/01/2001 will expire on the 21st birthday. Minor (under 18) and Provisional (under 21) identification cards issued before 07/01/2001, will expire on the 18th or 21st birthday.

 

 

**County office's may charge an additional convenience fee**

Fees may be paid with cash, personal check or money order for the exact amount in any Driver's License Office.  *Credit cards are ONLY accepted for internet renewal.*

 

 

Please note: Colorado law prohibits a person from holding both a valid driver's license and an identification card. You can not be issued an identification card if you hold a valid driver's license.

 

Click to download the Colorado Driver Handbook

The majority of the Colorado Driver's License Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Complete Driver's License Offices  locations and services.

The best time of day is between 8 and 9:30 a.m. The slowest days of the week are Wednesdays and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are consistently the busiest days of the week.

All licenses and ID cards are mailed and should arrive within 30 days.  If it has been 30 days and you still have not received your document please contact the office where your document was issued or call 303-205-5948.

Persons turning 21 cannot renew the license/ID card prior to their birthday. Persons age 22 or older may renew their license/ID card at any time prior to the expiration date.

No, you will not need to show proof of your Social Security Number but, per Colorado Revised Statute 42-2-107(3)(a) and 42-2-302(1)(a), you will still be required to provide your Social Security Number at the time you apply for a Driver's License, instruction permit or ID card.

Per DMV/DL policy 05-5609, persons stating they have never been issued a Social Security Number will be required to present documentation indicating they have been denied a Social Security Number, they are not eligible for a number, or have never been issued a Social Security Number.

So, if you have never been issued a Social Security Number, you must bring documentation showing that you do not have a number. You will also be required to provide proof of lawful presence. A Driver's License or ID card will not establish lawful presence.

Social Security Office Locations

Driver's License Office Locations

Internet renewal is available to eligible adult regular driver's license and adult ID card holders, age 21 through age 65, every other renewal period. Participation is optional. Renewal may still be done in person. The previous photo and fingerprint are used for the new driver's license or ID card. Due to additional requirements, Commercial Driver License holders are not eligible for this service.

To check if you are eligible to renew through the Internet, click on https://www.colorado.gov/vroom/renewlicense/index.jsf

Driver's License Online Renewal Eligibility

You will be unable to renew your Driver's License online if at least one of the following is true regarding your license:

• The license has been expired for more than 1 year.
• The age of the licensee is not age 21 through 65 (adult, regular license). Adult, regular license holders, age 66 and older, may be eligible to renew by mail. Please visit the Renew By Mail eligibility page.
• A name change involving the licensee has occurred since the last time the license was renewed.
• The license is a Commercial Driver's License.
• The license was last renewed either online or via the Renew by Mail process.
• Licensee is required to pass a written test prior to renewing.
• License cannot be renewed without immigration documents.
• License is associated with an immigration document.
• Licensee has an acting or pending departmental action on record.
• Licensee has an outstanding judgment or warrant on record.
• Licensee has a returned or NSF check on file.
• Licensee has a medical restriction on file.
• Licensee does not have a Social Security Number on file with the Division of Motor Vehicles.

State ID Online Renewal Eligibility

You will be unable to renew your State-issued ID card online if at least one of the following is true regarding your ID card:

• The ID has been expired for more than 1 year.
• The age of the ID holder is not age 21 through 59. Adult ID cardholders, age 60 and older, may be eligible to renew by mail. Please visit the Renew By Mail eligibility page.
• The ID was last renewed either online or via the Renew by Mail process.
• ID card is associated with an immigration document.
• ID holder has an acting or pending departmental action on record.
• ID holder has an outstanding judgment or warrant on record.
• ID holder has a returned or NSF check on file with the Division of Motor Vehicles.
• ID holder does not have a Social Security Number on file with the Division of Motor Vehicles.

If you renew through the internet, credit cards are accepted as payment. However, driver's license offices can only accept cash, personal check or money orders for the exact amount only. Traveler's checks will be accepted in the amount of $50 or less.

If the license is expired for one year or less there is no written or drive test. Vision testing is required. If the license is expired over one year, both the written and drive tests are required and additional identification may be required if the license is not presented. Please refer to the Driver License and ID Card Information page for the complete identification list.

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.

NOTE TO CDL DRIVERS IN THE MILITARY: 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.

Civilian - One-year extension - $3.00

Drivers who are out of the country/state may obtain a one year extension on their Colorado Driver's License.   Extensions are not granted earlier than 90 days prior to expiration.  To obtain an extension on a Colorado Driver's License when you are out of the country or state, send a letter with your name, date of birth, and current license number.  You must include a $3.00 fee (add $2 if you have a motorcycle endorsement on the license),  and an out-of-state/country address for mailing purposes.  Make check payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.

You are allowed only one 1-year extension.  A second extension is only granted by State statute to a person out of the country.  The second extension must be a separate request and within 90 days of expiration of first extension.  You must include a $3.00 fee (add $2 if you have a motorcycle endorsement on the license),  and an out-of-country address for mailing purposes. 

Military -- free (good for three years).

Military personnel and their dependents are entitled to one 3-year extension.  This extension is free of charge.  We will need your name, date of birth, Driver's License number, a photocopy (front and back) of your military ID card, and the out-of-state address where we should mail the extension.

Write to:

Driver Control Section
Colorado Department of Revenue
Room 164 - ROS
Denver, CO 80261-0016

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 full service Driver's License office (please check the Driver's License office list  to determine full service offices ) and obtain a regular, non-certified copy of the record, or, you can send in a written request to this office.  In the request you 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, 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.

Please click here for our mailing address.

Anyone relocating to Colorado, surrendering a valid driver's license from another state is not required to take a written test, however a second primary form of identification establishing lawful presence, such as a birth certificate, or immigration document, must be presented along with the driver's license.  The license from the other state must not have expired for more than one year. A vision screening test is required. The department has the authority, if there is good cause, to impose restrictions, limitations, or conditions which apply to the licensee's driving ability and any type of special mechanical control device required on a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate. The department may impose other restrictions applicable to the licensee as appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.

If you are a Colorado resident who operates a motor vehicle or motorcycle on public streets and highways in Colorado, you must have the appropriate valid driver's license. A resident is defined as a citizen who has lived in Colorado for 90 continuous days; or upon becoming employed, whichever occurs first.  If you are not a Colorado resident you can not be issued a Colorado license. Non-residents do not have to register their car in Colorado and may drive using their current, valid driver's license issued by their state or country of residence.

Driver licenses, instructional permits and Colorado identification cards can be obtained at 55 locations throughout the state. To apply for a license, instructional permit or duplicate, you must:

1. Submit 2 primary forms of identification.  One form must establish lawful presence.  Please see Identification Requirements for a complete list of acceptable identification documents.
2. Provide your Social Security Number.
3. Supply a Colorado residence address.
4. Pass all required examinations (written, vision and road performance).
5. Pay the required fee.
6. Be fingerprinted and photographed.

Adult Driver's Licenses are issued to persons who are at least 21 years of age and must be renewed every five years. Commercial Driver's Licenses must be renewed every four years.

Colorado Driver Handbook

Instruction permits are normally valid for three years from the date of issue unless the person changes age groups from minor to adult before then. In that case, the expiration date is the person's 21st birthday.

A written test is required only if the points from the ticket resulted in a restraint action (suspension of license).

The point accumulations for suspension are as follows:

MINOR DRIVER: more than 5 points in any 12 consecutive months or more than 6 points for period of license;

MINOR 18 TO 21: 9 points in any 12 consecutive months or 12 points in any 24 consecutive months or 14 points for the period of the license;

REGULAR DRIVER: 12 points in any 12 consecutive months or 18 points in any 24 consecutive months;

COMMERCIAL DRIVER: 16 points in any 12 consecutive months or 24 points in any 24 consecutive months of 28 points in any 48 consecutive months.

If you answered "yes" to the organ and tissue donor questions you were asked when you applied for your license, permit or ID card, then a red heart with a "Y" in the center will show on the front of your license, permit or ID card.  You must also discuss your wishes with your family.  Also, by answering yes, your name is automatically entered in the confidential Colorado Organ & Tissue Donor Registry.

For more information, please contact Donor Awareness Council at 303-388-8605 or 888-388-8605 or Donor Awareness.

Yes, the following list provides the name, location and services provided by all organizations approved by the State. This list is updated monthly.

Any minor issued a driver's education permit (the permit for minors 15 years up to 15/6 months) on or after 04/23/2007, must complete behind-the-wheel training prior to applying for their driver's license. They may complete either 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driving instructor from an approved school or 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training with their parent, guardian or alternate permit supervisor if there is no approved school offering at least 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training per week located within 30 miles of the permit holder's residence.

For minors completing 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training with their parent, the 12 hours is in addition to the 50 hours of driving experience required prior to applying for a driver's license, for a total of 62 hours of driving experience. The additional time may be recorded on theDrive Time Log Sheet.

Approved Training Organizations

To change your address, you do not have to come to a Driver's License office or buy a new document. Download and print the address change card (Form DR2285, Change of Address) from the website or pick up the card at a Driver License Office. Fill out the card and drop it in the mail or at a Driver License Office. You can then write your new address on the back of your license or ID card.

To change your name, you must come in to a Driver License Office. You must bring in documentation showing your name change. (Please see acceptable forms of identification from the Identification Requirements) and you will also have to purchase another license or ID card.

Driver License offices no longer provide the CDL drive test. The list below provides the names of organizations approved by the state to administer the CDL drive test. This list is updated on a monthly basis. Remember, you must have a valid CDL instruction permit, with the appropriate vehicle class, before you can take a drive test.

These organizations are not an extension of the Colorado Department of Revenue.
They are private businesses that charge a fee for their services.
This program gives you numerous options for completing your license.

Click here for an updated list of these organizations.

Colorado law prohibits a person, driving with any type of Instruction Permit from using a "mobile communication device" (example, a cell phone) while they are driving. This includes instruction permit holders of all ages. Exceptions are if it is an emergency, or if the driver is contacting a public safety entity (police, fire department, etc.), or if the driver has parked the vehicle.

Effective December 1, 2009, Colorado law prohibits drivers under 18 years of age from using a cell or mobile phone while driving unless it is to contact the police or fire department or it is an emergency. Drivers 18 and older may not use a cell or mobile phone for text messaging while driving unless it is to contact the police or fire department or it is an emergency.