Welcome to Colorado

• Own or operate a business in Colorado, OR
• Are employed in Colorado, OR
• Reside in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.

• Transfer your driver's license within 30 days. Click here for Driver License Office locations;
• Register your vehicle within 90 days. Click here for County Motor Vehicle Office locations.
   

Colorado is a REAL ID compliant state. This means that any applicant that is eligible for a REAL ID credential must provide proof of identification and lawful status and residency. This includes all United States citizens and permanent residents as well as Temporarily Lawfully Present residents applying for a Commercial Driver’s License 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. 

Click here to learn more about REAL ID. 

NOTE: All Applicants must make an Appointment to visit a driver's license office. 

What you need to do/bring:

1. Pre-register and Apply Online [Recommended]
2. Make an Appointment [Required]
3. Bring the Required identification and proof of address documents 
4. Pay the Applicable fee.
5. Bring your driver's license from the previous state/U.S. territory (valid or expired less than one year) or a motor vehicle report (dated within 30 days and showing a license that is valid or expired less than one year). The out-of-state license will be voided (hole-punched)- [Colorado Revised Statute 24-60-1106]. 
   1. A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), or driving record, is a document that details your driving history, including license status, traffic violations, accidents, and more, and is maintained by a state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a similar agency.
6. Make sure your name is consistent—If your documents or prior Colorado credentials have different names (e.g., marriage, divorce, or court order name change), you must bring additional documents showing all name changes. For a list of acceptable documents, click here to visit the DMV's Change Your Name webpage.
7. You may be required to take applicable tests.
8. Visit the DMV's Driver Services page for more information.

NOTE: All Applicants are required to make an Appointment to visit a driver license office

What you need to do/bring:

1. Pre-Register and Apply Online [Recommended]
2. Make an Appointment [Required]
3. Bring the required identification and proof of address documents 
4. Pay the Applicable fee.
5. Provide an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship DR 2460 signed by your parent/legal guardian before a driver license employee or notary.
6. Bring your driver license from the previous state/U.S. territory (valid or expired less than one year) or a motor vehicle report (dated within 30 days and showing a license that is valid or expired less than one year). The out-of-state license will be voided (hole-punched) - [Colorado Revised Statute 24-60-1106].  
   1.  A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), or driving record, is a document that details your driving history, including license status, traffic violations, accidents, and more, and is maintained by a state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a similar agency.
7. Make sure your name is consistent—If your documents or prior Colorado credentials have different names (e.g., marriage, divorce, or court order name change), you must bring additional documents showing all name changes. For a list of acceptable documents, click here to visit the DMV's Change Your Name webpage.
8. You may be required to take applicable tests.
9. Visit the DMV's Driver Services page for more information.

NOTE: All Applicants must make an Appointment to visit a driver's license office. 

Vehicles: The County Motor Vehicles Office where you reside handles title and registration transactions. Click here to find your local county DMV office. 

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 (e.g., marriage, divorce, or court order name change), you must bring additional documents showing all name changes. See 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.

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.

NOTE: All Applicants must make an Appointment to visit a driver's license office. 

What you need to do/bring:

• 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). For standard license requirements and the application process, please click here. 
• 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. 
  • The only exception is for TLP Commercial Driver’s License holders or Freely Associated State applicants eligible for REAL IDs. Their documents must be verified through the USCIS SAVE system.
• For more information, please visit the DMV's Standard License Frequently Asked Questions webpage here. 

NOTE: All Applicants must make an Appointment to visit a driver's license office. 

International applicants must follow the complete process for issuance of a Colorado driver’s license. To learn about the Colorado licensing process, please click here.

Exceptions: Colorado has reciprocal agreements with certain countries that exempt retesting requirements for driver’s licenses:

• Canada
• France
• Germany
• The Republic of South Korea
• Taiwan
• Republic of China (Taiwan) 
• Japan

To learn more, visit the DMV's New to Colorado from Another County webpage here. 

Students are exempt from getting a Colorado driver’s license if you are:

• A student temporarily living in Colorado for educational purposes; and
• Have a valid driver's license from your home state; and
• Are considered a non-resident for tuition purposes by the educational institution you 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.

• The County Motor Vehicles Office where you reside handles individual title and registration transactions. To find your county motor vehicle office, please click here. 
• Various fees and taxes will apply. For information on taxes and fees, please click here. 
• You will need to title your vehicle in Colorado before registration. For information on title and registration, please click here.  
• Please visit these sites for information on: 
  • Dealer Resale Titles
  • Low-Powered Scooters
  • IRP 

• Title- FAQs
• Registration Information
• Title and Registration fees
• More information on Vehicle Services