myDMV Tips and Tricks

• You must first create a VRS Account Number before requesting a search. Click here to create a VRS Account or verify your number if you forgot.
  • Once you have the VRS Account Number, request the record/title history search under “Records” in the Vehicle Services tab.
• The results will be emailed to you; you will only be able to open the results once. You must disable pop-up blockers and open the results from a computer and NOT a phone or tablet. If you fail to do so, you must submit another request and wait for the processing time.
  • This is for fraud prevention since personally identifiable information (PII) will be included in the email.
• National searches cannot be done online. You must use the DR 2489A, found on the DMV forms webpage.
• Permissible uses:
  • If you state, “This is my record,” you must be the vehicle owner in the Colorado system.
    • If you require the search as you are “bonding for the title,” do not choose “this is my record” as it is not yours.
  • Out-of-state tow carriers need to supply the completed tow ticket; this can only be done by a mailed or in-person DR 2489A (found on the DMV forms webpage); it cannot be completed online.
  • Repair shops need to supply the repair order listing the total
  • Storage facilities need the rental agreement or certified VIN form.
  • If you are claiming it is in connection with a court proceeding, a court order or documentation from an attorney with a case number is required
• Search types:
  • Vehicle Record Search: is the current owner’s information.
  • Vehicle Title History Search: this is a record of all the vehicle owners since it was first purchased. This request will provide the documents used to create the vehicle account and anything that has been scanned during time of ownership, such as expired registration cards and ownership documents.

 *NOTE:  You must meet a permissible use requirement (or be the owner of record) to get this information.

• You must first create a VRS Account Number before you can request a search. Click here to create a VRS Account or verify your number if you forgot.
  • Once you have the VRS Account Number you can request the title history search.
• Request a title history under “Records” in Vehicle Services tab
• In the “Disclose what data/information is to be included in the search” include that the letter is needed to prove that no Colorado title was issued, so that the vehicle can be registered in the state requesting the letter.

• Once you have received your “title complete notice” in the mail, or confirmed via the “check title status” that your title has been complete, you can then register your new vehicle.
• This option is only available to individuals who purchased a vehicle from a Colorado dealership where paperwork had to be submitted to the county. If you purchased your vehicle from a third party, are bringing it in from another state, or received the title when you purchased your vehicle you will need to visit your county motor vehicle office.
• License plates take around 3 weeks to arrive via mail once ordered online through myDMV. If you cannot wait this long, visit your county motor vehicle office; they will have regular green & white plates available and be able to issue additional plates temporary tags if necessary.
• You cannot transfer license plates or receive registration credit from another vehicle’s current registration online; you will need to visit your county motor vehicle office. 
• Driving on expired temporary tags may subject you to Law Enforcement action. Counties can issue additional temporary tags at their discretion. 
• myDMV checks for proof of insurance in the Colorado Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB) and if it is not found, then the transaction cannot be completed online.  It is your insurance agency who reports your insurance information to MIIDB; sometimes the information is not reported and sometimes is not reported correctly. If you get an error for insurance you will need to check with your insurance agent to get it into MIIDB or provide proof directly to your county motor vehicle office.

• If your address has changed; please change your address first in “Add/change a vehicle address”. If the system does not allow the legal address update, you may still update your mailing in order to receive your tabs at the correct location. Please contact your county motor vehicle office as soon as possible in order to update your legal address.
• Gas emissions test results can take up to 48 hours to be loaded into the system.
• Diesel emissions test results can take up to a week to be loaded into the system.
• You will not be able to renew a registration that is over 13 months expired online; you will need to contact your county motor vehicle office. 
• If you have an E-470 hold, you will not be able to renew online until the hold is removed. Please contact 303-537-3470 for questions regarding a E-470 Express Toll hold.
• Please make sure you are typing in the correct characters or the plate, VIN or verification code; Os and zeros can look similar, as can Bs and 8s, and I's and 1's.
• myDMV checks for proof of insurance in the Colorado Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB) and if it is not found, then the transaction cannot be completed online.  It is your insurance agency who reports your insurance information to MIIDB; sometimes the information is not reported and sometimes is not reported correctly. If you get an error for insurance you will need to check with your insurance agent to get it into MIIDB or provide proof directly to your county motor vehicle office.

• There cannot be an active lien in the system to request a duplicate title (unless it is the lienholder requesting the duplicate)
• You cannot have an out-of-state address to complete the process online; if you do, you must mail in the DR2539A, found on the DMV forms webpage. 
• If you are under strict time constraints for the duplicate, please contact your county motor vehicle office directly to get a duplicate or make an appointment at the state office to make an “Other non-county title and registration” appointment.

A: Yes, there are service fees associated with using myDMV that are assessed by the third-party service provider, Colorado Interactive. Colorado Interactive is responsible for timely payment processing and security, which requires them to charge a fee to maintain their operation. The service fee for credit cards is typically $0.75 plus 2.25% of the order total or $1 for electronic check payments.  If you do not wish to pay the credit card service fee or the $1 electronic check service fee, you can always pay your county motor vehicle office directly with cash or check. Please check with your county for transaction options.

A: Plates are generally received 21 business days after payment via the USPS; tabs are usually 14 days.  Please note that plates are not tracked.  If you cannot wait 21 business days to receive your plates, contact your county motor vehicle office to complete the transaction and get a new temporary tag.

A: Yes, some transactions can also be completed at a kiosk. Please visit Colorado MVExpress for a list of transactions, participating counties, and kiosk locations; if your county participates in the kiosk program, you can use any kiosk location. Kiosk transactions are generally completed in approximately 2 minutes, and the documents are printed at the kiosk. You can also contact your county motor vehicle office.

A: Registration receipts (to include a detailed receipt) will be mailed along with the tabs and/or license plates.  If you cannot wait and need a detailed receipt, or lost your receipt, you can select “Get a transaction receipt” in the Vehicle Services tab of myDMV; it will then email you a detailed transaction receipt (you will need a license plate number and VIN number or verification code).

A: In the Vehicle Services tab on myDMV, under “Records,” is the “Get a transaction receipt” option. You will need the vehicle’s license plate and the VIN or the verification code (from the registration). The receipt will be emailed to you. 

A: In the Vehicle Services tab of myDMV, select the “Add/change a vehicle address” transaction. Once this transaction has been completed, you can go to the other vehicle transaction.

A: Unfortunately, you cannot. You would need to complete these transactions directly with your county motor vehicle office.

A: Yes, in the Vehicle Services tab of myDMV you can select “Check a title status”.  If the title is completed, you can register your vehicle with the county if you have not yet received the title complete notice yet.

A: You cannot complete this request online if you have an out-of-state address.  You would need to complete the request via mail, with the DR 2539A Duplicate Title/Lien Request and Receipt form, found on the Forms page.

A: This can be accomplished in the Vehicle Services tab by selecting “Replace Electric Vehicle Decal”. Once this has been completed you should be able to continue with the renewal transaction.  Since updating our current operating system in August 2018, some records may not indicate that the vehicle has an EV decal if it was issued prior to that date.  All plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles now must have either the EV plate or a decal.

A: It sounds like the attempt to renew did not successfully complete. What you see on your bank statement or credit card is a pending transaction and it will drop off in a few days depending on the policies of your banking or lender institution.