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.

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

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.

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

You must register your vehicle and obtain license plates through the county in which you live. Check with the county clerk in your area. See Registering A Motor Vehicle for additional information.

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.

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

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.