Vehicle Registration - General Information

Vehicle Registration Services

• First-time registration
• Registration renewals
• Replacement tags
• Duplicate registration card
• Registration credit transfers (can only be done directly with the county and not online)
• Disability Placards/Plate
• Temporary tags services (you can get a second temporary tag from the dealer as well)
• Dealer demo and full-use license plates services
• Vehicle address change services
• Dealer title services
• Filing a lien on a vehicle
• Replace License Plates (lost, stolen,damaged, new choice)

Vehicle Title Services

• Title transfers
• Adding/removing an owner
• Name changes
• Third-party sales
• Titling for commercial vehicles (International Registration Plan)
• Transferring a title from out-of-state
• Lien Release of a Title (DR 2539A)  
• Duplicate Title Request (DR 2539A)
• Bonding for title

NOTE: While counties are agents of the state, they do operate independently under their own elected officials. Thus, business hours, transaction options and policies/procedures can vary by county. We cannot book these appointments and some counties have walk-in services. Many of these services can also be done online or at a kiosk (see below).

Find your county office

County Motor Vehicle Information

An appointment is required at our Westgate location. Visit our Appointment Scheduler here.  

• Dealer Titles
  • Maximum of 3 processed per appointment/per day
  • Drop off/pick up available
• Commercial Motor Vehicle IRP (International Registration Program)
• All other State Title & Registration services, including:
  • Specific Plates: Depot plates, horseless carriage plates, manufacturer plates, transporter plates, year of manufacturer plates
  • Limited Registration: Inoperable collector’s item registration, low power scooter registration, government fleet
  • Limited Title: Duplicate title requests/lien release of a title, unrecovered theft title
  • Other: Emergency vehicle authorization, motor vehicle record searches 

• Vehicle registration renewal
• Duplicate registration
• Duplicate tab
• Title Status Check
• Click here for participating counties and kiosk locations 

• Registration is Required
  • You must register your vehicle within 90 days of becoming a resident (CRS 42-2-103(4)(a)(1)).
    • Click here to learn more if you are new to Colorado.
  • You must register your vehicle within 60 days of purchase/transfer of ownership (CRS 42-3-103 (1)(a)).
  • NOTE: You must register your vehicle even if it is not being driven. Click here to learn more about Inoperable and Stored Vehicles.
• Registration Follows Titling
  • You must apply for a Colorado title for your vehicle before or at the same time you register it. If you buy from a CO dealer, they generally send the titlework to your county. If you're a new resident or bought from a private party, you'll do this yourself in your county.
  • Learn more about titling your vehicle in Colorado here.
• Registration is Done by County
  • You must register your vehicle in the county where you live. All regular, personal vehicle registration transactions are handled by your local Clerk & Recorder’s Offices.
    • Or the state vehicle services Westgate office. No other state-run driver license offices can complete vehicle registrations.
  • Find your county motor vehicle office here.
• Registration on Behalf of Someone Else
  • If you are not the owner or lessee of record, you must provide a valid Power of Attorney (POA) to complete registration transactions. This requirement applies regardless of marital status.
    • Accepted Forms: DR 2175 (located on the Forms page here) that is complete with no alterations or erasures OR a general/durable POA.
    • Required for: 
      • First-time registrations
      • Updates to plates or registration
      • Registrations expired for 13 months or longer
      • Residents transferring vehicles from out-of-state
• You CANNOT Transfer Regular Plates
  • Under current Colorado law, you cannot move your old regular (green and white, non-personalized) plates from your old vehicle to your new vehicle.
• Insurance is Mandatory
  • You cannot register a vehicle without proof of active Colorado auto insurance. The state 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.
• Taxes and Fees
  • Your registration cost is a combination of fees and taxes. The largest portion is the Specific Ownership Tax (SOT), which is based on your vehicle's original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and age. This tax decreases as your vehicle gets older.
  • Click here to learn more about Taxes and Fees.
  • Click here to estimate your fees online.
• Deadlines & Late Fees
  • New Purchase/Transfer: You have 60 days from the purchase/transfer date to register your vehicle; if not, you will be assessed late fees (see below)
    • Click here to learn more about Expiring Temporary Tags.
  • New Resident: You have 90 days after establishing residency to register.
    • Click here for more on establishing residency.
  • Renewals: You have a one-month grace period after your registration expires.
  • Late Fee: Failing to register or renew on time results in a late fee of $25 per month, or portion of a month, ($10 for trailers), up to a maximum of $100.
    • Click here to learn more about Taxes and Fees.
• Emissions Test
  • Required for vehicles more than 7 model years old registered in the statutorily designated emissions counties (Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, & Weld counties).
  • Click here to learn more about Emissions Testing.

For nearly all registrations, you will need to provide a few key items. Get these ready first to make your visit or online session smooth:

• Secure and Verifiable ID (SVID):
  • 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 of acceptable documents on form DR2841 located in our forms library here.
• Proof of Colorado Vehicle Insurance:
  • Your insurance card or policy must be active and meet Colorado's minimum requirements:
    • $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
    • $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
    • $15,000 for property damage per accident
  • NOTE: If the vehicle is inoperable due to maintenance or repair, it is still required to pay Specific Ownership Tax (SOT) on it. If a vehicle is still operable but being stored, it is still required to be registered. Click here to learn more about Inoperable and Stored Vehicles.
• Proof of Ownership:
  • This can be the vehicle's title, a bill of sale, or your current out-of-state registration.
• Cost:
  • Applicable fees vary by county.
  • Click here to learn more about registration fees.

When you purchase a vehicle from a licensed Colorado dealership, they will handle most of the initial title paperwork for you.

Step 1: At the Dealership

• The dealer will provide you with a temporary registration permit (valid for 60 days).
• You will complete an Application for Title and Registration (Form DR 2395).
• The dealer will collect the vehicle sales tax. Some dealers have options to file your title work and/or have you pay registration fees at point of sale. Check with the dealership.
• The dealer will submit all required documents, including the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (for new vehicles) or the previous title (for used vehicles), to your county's Motor Vehicle office.

Step 2: Wait for Your "Title Complete Notice"

• Your county motor vehicle office will process the paperwork submitted by the dealer.
• Once processed, the county will mail you a "Title Complete Notice" postcard. This confirms your title has been processed and you are now clear to register the vehicle and get your license plates.
  • You can check the status of your title online with myDMV. You will need the VIN number and date of sale.
    • Click here to go to myDMV.

IMPORTANT: If your temporary tag is about to expire and you have not received your title complete notice yet, you will need to get a new temporary tag before it expires so you do not incur late fees. Your dealership and/or county can issue a second temporary tag; contact your county if you need more than two. Click here for more information about expiring temp tags.

Step 3: Register Your Vehicle

• Once you receive the "Title Complete Notice," you must register your vehicle. You have several options to register:
  • Online: Complete a first-time vehicle registration here on myDMV. You will need to create a myDMV account.
  • In-Person: Visit your county motor vehicle office (check their website first for hours and transaction options as they vary between counties).
    • Find your county motor vehicle office here.
• What you need to complete your registration:
  • The "Title Complete Notice" postcard.
  • Proof of Colorado Vehicle Insurance (must be current and list the vehicle).
  • Secure and Verifiable ID (e.g., Colorado driver's license, passport).
  • Proof of Emissions Test (if your vehicle and county of residence require it).
  • Payment for registration fees and license plates.
    • Click here for more about taxes and fees.

Note: If you have any remaining registration credits from a previous vehicle, you can only transfer the credit at your county office.

Step 4: Receive Your Title

• If you paid for the vehicle in full, the new Colorado Certificate of Title will be mailed to you.
• If you have a loan, the title will be mailed directly to your lienholder (the bank or finance company) or kept in an electronic version if they use the ELT program.

When you buy a vehicle directly from another person, you are responsible for handling all the title and registration paperwork yourself. It is extremely important that your title is completed in the correct manner. Not properly endorsing your title or correctly completing the odometer disclosure can lead to the inability to complete the title transfer or in a reduction in value of your vehicle. If you bought a vehicle that does not have a title (ownership document), please click here for information on the “Bonding without Title Process.”

Start Here: Buyer and Seller responsibilities for private party sales

After You Complete the Transaction:

• Go to your county motor vehicle office (Click here to find your county motor vehicle office.)
  • You must apply for the title and register the vehicle within 60 days of the purchase/transfer date to avoid late fees.
  • Bring the following documents to your county motor vehicle office (appointments may be required):
    • The original Certificate of Title, properly signed over to you by the seller, with the odometer mileage disclosure completed on the title.
      • To learn more about properly endorsing a title, click here.
    • A completed Bill of Sale is required if the sale price is not listed on the title.
    • A completed Application for Title and Registration (Form DR 2395).
    • Proof of Colorado vehicle insurance.
    • The passing Emissions Certificate (if applicable).
      • Learn more about emissions testing here.
    • Your Secure and Verifiable ID (Form DR2841)
    • Payment for sales tax, title fees, registration fees, and any other applicable taxes and fees.
      • Learn more about Taxes & Fees here.
• Receive Your Title and Registration
  • If you choose the standard green & white passenger plates, you will receive those and your registration documents at the county office. Other license plates must be printed on demand; they will be mailed to you along with the registration. You can get an additional temporary tag from the county if necessary.
  • Your new Colorado Certificate of Title will be mailed to you (or your lienholder, if you financed the purchase through a bank).

When you buy a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you are responsible for handling all the title and registration paperwork yourself. You will need to bring the following to your local county motor vehicle office:

• The properly endorsed out-of-state title (with odometer disclosure completed) or a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) if a new vehicle
• A completed DR 2395
• Verification of VIN Form DR 2698  (see the VIN Inspection page here for more information) - Not needed if a new vehicle on a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO).
• Bring the Bill of Sale: The bill of sale should include buyer and seller name and information, purchase price, vehicle information (make, model, year), date of sale, and any other pertinent information to the sale.
• Payment for sales tax, title fees, registration fees, and any other applicable taxes and fees.
  • Learn more about Taxes & Fees here.
  • Estimate your registration fees here.

Click here to find your county motor vehicle office.

If you bought a vehicle that does not have a title (ownership document), please click here for information on the “Bonding without Title Process.”

Important: CO requires you to register your vehicle in Colorado within 60 days of purchase/transfer, even if your out-of state-temporary tag has a longer period. 

Welcome to Colorado! You have 90 days after establishing residency to title and register your vehicle. This process must be done in person at your county motor vehicle office. Learn more about establishing residency here.

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: Get Required Inspections & 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.

Step 3: Visit 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) at the office.
• You will pay the required title fees, registration fees, and any applicable state and local taxes.
  • Learn more about Taxes & Fees here.
  • Estimate your registration fees here.

Step 4: Surrender Your Old Plates and Get New Ones

• If you select the passenger regular  (green & white) plates, 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.

Step 5: Receive Your Colorado Title

• 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.

If you are not the owner or lessee of record, you must provide a valid Power of Attorney (POA) to complete registration transactions. This requirement applies regardless of marital status.

Accepted Forms: DR 2175 (located on the Forms page here) that is complete with no alterations or erasures OR a general/durable POA.

Courtesy renewal postcards are sent in the mail by your local county clerk & recorder. You can create a myDMV Customer Portal and receive your renewal notice electronically (as well as other official DMV correspondence). Click here to create your myDMV portal account. You will need a Colorado driver license or ID.

• Online: The easiest and most convenient way to renew is online through the myDMV Colorado website. Go online to renew here: myDMV online services.
• Kiosks: Colorado Kiosks are available in many counties, often in grocery stores, allowing for a quick renewal process outside of county business hours. Find an MV Express kiosk here.
• Mail: You can mail in your payment to your local county clerk & recorder. Courtesy renewal postcards are sent in the mail, which you can return with payment to your county.
• In-Person: Check with your  local county motor vehicle office to see their business hours and how they handle in person transactions.

NOTE: If your vehicle’s registration is more than 13 months expired, you will need to renew directly with your county motor vehicle office. Registration of your vehicle(s) may be denied or delayed if the Colorado Motor Vehicle Registration file does not show insurance coverage for the vehicle(s). Find out more here: Colorado Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB). If an emissions test is required on your vehicle, once your vehicle passes a test, gas emissions will be uploaded into the system generally overnight (if not sooner), diesel tests can take up to a week to upload. Passing tests can also be brought to your county.

The cost of renewal varies based on where you reside, the vehicle's age, weight, and taxable value, as well as the type of license plate you have. You can expect to pay:

• Standard registration fees.
• Specific ownership tax.
• Additional fees for specialty or personalized plates. For instance, personalized plates have an additional annual fee.
• Material fees.
• Find out more about taxes and fees here.  

You have a one-month grace period after your registration expires to renew without a late fee.

You must have current insurance and a passed emissions test (if required).

If you need to update your address on your vehicle registration, you can do this online. You are required to create a myDMV customer portal account. Click here to visit myDMV.

If you do not want to create an account, you will need to visit a county office.

Ensure that you are updating both your legal (physical) and mailing address, if both have changed. Your legal address determines your county of residence and your vehicle registration fees. Your mailing address determines only where your mail will go. This action does not change the address on your Drivers License or Voter Registration. You will need your License plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Verification Code on your registration card or renewal notice.

Please note, Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) participants will not be able to change their legal address online. If you are participating in this program, please go into your county office to change your address.

If you currently have a vehicle registration and go to a local county to change your address, you may be required to show proof of your new address. 

-A key rule in Colorado is that license plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. When a car is sold, the seller must keep their plates.

• You CANNOT transfer regular plates: You cannot move your old regular (green and white, non-personalized) plates from a vehicle you sold to your new vehicle.
• You CAN transfer registration credit: License plates that have more than a month left on their registration from your old vehicle can have a credit transferred to your new vehicle's registration. This reduces the cost of your new registration. This MUST be done in person at your county office.
• You CAN transfer specialty plates: You can move Personalized or Specialty (e.g., alumni, military, cause-based) plates from your old car to your new car, as long as you are the registered owner of both. This is done at the time of registration and can only be done at your county office.
• Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicle Owners are eligible to receive the electric vehicle (EV) license plates or get another license plate of their choice and be issued an EV decal. Click here to learn more about electric vehicles.

• Standard Plates: The default green-and-white mountain plates (and a couple of others) 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, and Other License 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. 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. Some license plates require a certificate or additional documentation to be provided to the county before plates can be ordered.
  • Click here for more license plate information.

These identifying plates and placards permit qualified applicants to park their vehicle or motorcycle or a vehicle in which they are a passenger in designated disability parking spaces.

• A distinguishing license plate (which can be personalized) or a placard: This identifying plate or placard permits qualified applicants to park their vehicle or a vehicle in which they are a passenger in designated disability parking spaces.
• Disabled Veteran Handicapped or Disabled Women Veteran license plate: These two types of handicap plates permit qualified veterans or women veterans of the United States Armed Forces to park their vehicle or a vehicle in which they are a passenger in designated disability parking spaces.

Learn more about Parking Privileges for Persons with Disabilities here.

The Electric Vehicle (EV) license plate became available on July 1, 2022, and can be personalized. If an EV owner elects to have a different license plate (Group Special, Alumni or Military plate) then the vehicle must be issued an EV decal to be placed on the inside upper right-hand corner of the front windshield of the vehicle to identify the vehicle as an EV.

EV decals are currently available at your county motor vehicle offices and through myDMV here; they are not available through a kiosk.

For more information, visit the Electric Vehicles page here.

For information about the vehicles below, visit the Specialized Vehicles page here.

• Low-Power Scooter
• Kei Vehicles
• Kit Vehicles
• Military Vehicles
• Off-Highway Vehicles
• Special Mobile Machinery (SMM
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Unconventional Vehicles

• Registration follows the same rules as passenger cars (title, insurance, SOT).
• Motorcycles are exempt from emissions testing.

• All trailers must be titled and registered.
• Homemade Trailers: If you built a trailer, you will need to follow form DR2709 State of Colorado Checklist: CO Assigned Vehicle Identification Number before it can be titled.
  • Click here to visit the Forms page.

• These are registered just like passenger vehicles.
• If the vehicle's weight is not on the title, you may need a certified weight slip to determine your fees.
• Emissions testing is typically required based on the same rules as cars/trucks.
• Learn more about Recreational Vehicles here.

This is a more complex category for vehicles used for business.

• Intrastate (Colorado Only): Vehicles weighing 10,001+ lbs must have a USDOT number.
• Interstate (Traveling Out of State): These vehicles fall under the International Registration Plan (IRP), which is a separate process from standard county registration.
• For detailed information about Commercial vehicles, click here.

Owners of an inoperable vehicle undergoing maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding, or renovation, are required to pay an annual specific ownership tax (SOT). Click here for more information.

If you are storing a vehicle that is not being driven (but is still operable), it still must be registered. Click here for more information.

Owners of a collector’s item that is not operated upon the highways of this state and that is kept on private property for the purpose of maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding, or any other similar purpose shall pay an annual specific ownership tax. Click here for more information.