Residency Requirements
You are considered a Colorado resident if you:
- Own or operate a business in Colorado, OR
- Are employed in Colorado, OR
- Reside in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.
After establishing residency in Colorado, you must:
- Transfer your driver's license within 30 days
- Title and register your vehicle within 90 days
Colorado is a REAL ID-compliant state. Any applicant eligible for a REAL ID credential must provide proof of identification, lawful status, and Colorado residence. This includes all United States citizens, permanent residents, and Freely Associated States residents.
As of May 7, 2025, TSA will not accept non-Real ID-compliant credentials to fly within the United States. Travelers who do not have a REAL ID may use another form of acceptable documentation, such as a valid passport or military ID.
Standard Credentials (licenses, permits, and non-driver IDs) are only available for Colorado residents who are non-lawfully present/undocumented (NLP) or temporarily lawfully present (TLP).
Learn more about Colorado Standard Credentials
Learn more about what documents you will need to bring to your appointment
Transfer a License/Permit/ID
All applicants must make an appointment to visit a driver's license office.
Transfer a Valid Out-of-State License
Before Your Appointment
- Pre-register Online
- Make an Appointment (required)
What to Bring
- Required identification and proof of address documents
- Bring your driver's license from the previous state/U.S. territory (valid or expired less than one year) or a motor vehicle report (also known as a driver history record, dated within 30 days and showing a license that is valid or expired less than one year).
- Make sure all documents show the same name, or bring documents showing all name changes (for example, from a marriage, divorce, or court-ordered name change. Check acceptable name change documents.
- Under 18? Bring your parent or legal guardian to your appointment to sign an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship (DR 2460) in front of a driver license employee or a form that has been signed and notarized. If your parent or guardian can’t come to your appointment, bring a form that has been signed and notarized. Forms signed at home without a notary will not be accepted.
At Your Appointment
- You may be required to take applicable tests.
- Pay the fee for your new credential
- The out-of-state license will be voided (hole-punched)
Students are exempt from getting a Colorado driver’s license if they:
- Have a valid driver's license from their home state; and
- Are temporarily living in Colorado for educational purposes; and
- Are considered a non-resident for tuition purposes by the educational institution they are attending.
Colorado recognizes out-of-state license plates for students whose primary purpose in Colorado is for education. You do not need to register your vehicles in Colorado.
Permits and Non-Driver IDs
If you’re under 21, please visit our Minor Driver Information page.
If you’re over 21, please visit our Adult Permit information page.
You’ll follow the normal process for getting a Colorado license, ID, or permit.
If you’re under 21:
- Learn more about Minor Permits
- Learn more about Driver Licenses and IDs at the Driver License/ID Resource Center
- For information about Driver Education Resources including manuals and handbooks please visit Driver Education
If you’re over 21:
- Learn more about Adult Permits
- Learn more about Driver Licenses and IDs at the Driver License/ID Resource Center
- For information about Driver Education Resources including manuals and handbooks please visit our Driver Education page
New residents who want a Colorado ID card must follow the requirements for getting a Colorado ID. Please follow the instructions on our Required Documents You Need to Bring page.
Learn more at our Driver License/ ID Resource Center.
Situations that May Affect Your License/Permit/ID Requirements
What you need to do/bring:
- Active duty military and their spouses with a valid out-of-state driver license are exempt from getting a Colorado driver license. This does not apply to dependents who must follow the regular Colorado driver’s license process above.
- Active-duty military personnel stationed in Colorado who claim another state as their residence can register their vehicles in Colorado at their local county DMV office.
- Active duty military vehicle owners may be exempt from the Specific Ownership Tax by completing the Affidavit of Nonresidence and Military Exemption from Specific Ownership Tax Form (DR2667) annually at the time of renewal.
- Make sure your name is consistent — If your documents or prior Colorado credentials have different names (for example, from a marriage, divorce, or court order name change), you must bring additional documents showing all name changes. Check the DMV's Change Your Name page for acceptable documents.
- If you want to transfer your out-of-state credential to Colorado, you must bring the required identification documents. See the Required identification and proof of address documents
- Visit the DMV's Driver Services page for more information.
What you need to know:
Driving Records Are Shared Nationwide: All the states and territories in the U.S. share driving information, which means if your driver's license is suspended (like for a DUI) in one state, Colorado will likely know about it and, if so, will also suspend your driving privileges. Even if a local court, military base, or additional entity says your DUI issue is resolved, it might still affect your ability to drive in other places.
Real ID and Military IDs: Colorado issues REAL ID-compliant credentials to all permanently lawfully present applicants. Even if you're in the military and have a Military ID or Common Access Card (CAC), you still need to provide the required identification and proof of address documents to demonstrate your legal presence in compliance with the REAL ID Act.
Teen Drivers and Military Families: If your children (under 18) want a learner's permit in Colorado, you must sign a form (DR2460) to assume responsibility for them. To do this, you must show your Military ID or Common Access Card (CAC) and a valid driver's license (either from Colorado or another state).
State-Specific Rules for Military Drivers: Every state has its own rules about driver's licenses for military members. Your "home of record" state (where you're officially from) might have specific requirements, like needing to renew your license by mail (California is an example). Even if you live in Colorado, you must follow the rules of your home of record state to maintain your home state’s driving privileges.
Proof of Residential Address for Military Living on Base: If you live in the barracks or dorms on a military base, you can get a letter from your commanding officer on official letterhead to confirm your proof of residential address. The letter must be dated within the last year, and the issuing commanding officer must sign it.
You must first determine if you are eligible for a standard license consistent with the Colorado Road Safety and Community Act (42-1-505 CRS). Learn about standard license requirements and the application process.
Temporarily Lawful Present (TLP) applicants are not eligible for a REAL ID in Colorado, regardless of whether their current out-of-state credential is REAL ID compliant.
International applicants must follow the complete process for issuance of a Colorado driver’s license. Learn about the Colorado licensing process.
Exceptions: Colorado has reciprocal agreements with certain countries that exempt retesting requirements for driver’s licenses:
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- The Republic of South Korea
- Republic of China (Taiwan)
- Japan
To learn more, visit the DMV's New to Colorado from Another Country webpage.
Title and Register a Vehicle
In Colorado, county motor vehicle offices handle most vehicle services, including title and registration. You have 90 days after establishing residency to title and register your vehicle. View all county locations.
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Gather your documents
- Out-of-State Title: Get your current title.
- If a lienholder (bank) holds your title, bring your most recent out-of-state registration (must be current or expired less than 6 months) and the lienholder's name and address.
- Proof of Colorado Vehicle Insurance: You will need to provide proof of active Colorado auto insurance. Colorado requires all motorists to carry minimum liability coverage:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person in an accident.
- $50,000 for bodily injury to all persons in an accident.
- $15,000 for property damage in an accident.
- Secure and Verifiable ID: You must provide an approved form of identification to register your vehicle. Approved identification generally includes current or recently expired Colorado and out-of-state driver's licenses or ID cards, U.S. Passports, U.S. Military IDs, and specific official immigration, tribal, or citizenship documents. You can find the full list on form DR2841, found in our forms library here.
- Proof of Residency: You must complete the DR 2504 Colorado Residency Establishment form and provide a proof of residency document such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement.
- Out-of-State Title: Get your current title.
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Get required inspections and tests
Depending on your vehicle and where you live, you may need these before you visit the office:
- VIN Verification (Form DR 2698): A physical inspection of your vehicle's identification number. This can be completed by Colorado law enforcement, a licensed CO dealer, or a CO emissions station (required unless a new vehicle on a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin).
- Emissions Test (If Applicable): Required if your vehicle is more than 7 model years old and you live in a designated emissions county (e.g., Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Douglas, etc.). Visit the Emissions page here for locations and additional information.
- Certified Weight Slip (If Applicable): Required only for motorhomes and trucks with an empty weight between 4,501 and 10,000 lbs if the weight is not listed on your current title.
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Visit your County Motor Vehicle office
The County Motor Vehicles Office where you reside handles title and registration transactions. County appointments can’t be booked on this site. Some county offices have walk-in services. Find your county motor vehicle office.
- Bring all the documents listed in Step 1 and 2 to your local county motor vehicle office.
- You will complete an Application for Title and Registration (Form DR 2395)
- Pay the required title fees, registration fees, and any applicable state and local taxes
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Surrender your old plates and get new ones
- If you select the passenger regular plates (green & white), those will be provided at the time of the transaction along with your registration; any other plates are printed on demand and will be mailed with your registration by USPS once printed
- You can either surrender your old out-of-state plates at your county or to your former jurisdiction
- Standard Plates: The default green-and-white mountain plates are stocked at all county motor vehicle offices and are issued to you the same day when completing the transaction with your county.
- Specialty & Personalized Plates: If you want specialty (e.g., historical, alumni, military) or personalized (vanity) plates, you will order them during your registration.
- These plates are made to order and are not available the same day.
- You will pay additional fees and be issued a temporary permit (if done directly with your county). The new plates will be mailed to you; they generally take 21 days to be received via USPS.
- Not all license plates can be ordered online as some require a certificate or additional documentation to be provided to the county.
- If your license plates were lost, stolen or damaged or you would like to change your current plate or request a personalized plate, or for more information, visit License Plates.
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Receive your Colorado title
After your visit: Your new Colorado Certificate of Title will be mailed to you if there is no lien.
If your vehicle had a lien and the title remained with the original jurisdiction, it should still reside with your lienholder. If you bring a title in with an out-of-state lien, a CO title with an out-of-state lien will be mailed to you.