How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

1. Get Started With Car Registration Application Assistance Online

Vehicle registrations need to be renewed regularly. Many states require vehicle owners to renew their registrations every year, although some states offer the option to purchase registrations that last for two years or longer. Most states allow you to quickly renew your car registration online, but you should be aware of the information you will need to provide, the necessary fees and the acceptable methods of payment to ensure a smooth transaction. Our online guide can help you prepare all the required documents and fees so that you can renew your vehicle registration as smoothly and quickly as possible. In it, you will also discover all the steps needed to replace a lost registration and to update your name or address with the DMV.

2. By Mail

Some vehicle owners may prefer to renew their auto registrations through the mail. Certain states will allow their residents to apply by mail, but vehicle owners may need to meet certain eligibility requirements to submit their request. Additionally, the ways in which you may pay your renewal fee are limited to check or money order, and you may experience processing delays due to the time it takes the postal service to deliver your application. Furthermore, you may risk losing your application or registration tags in the mail, adding to the wait time.

3. In Person at a DMV Office

Renewing your vehicle registration in person at a DMV office is an option if you cannot or prefer not to apply by mail or online. Typically, the DMV will issue your new registration credentials after receiving payment. However, certain states may require you to wait to receive your renewed registration documents in the mail. While visiting a DMV office in person may provide you with more personalized attention, it often involves long waits. Additionally, the office hours of many DMV locations can interfere with your work schedule.

A Colorado car registration renewal is one of the most important procedures that vehicle owners must perform in the state. Overall, having a renewed registration demonstrates that a car owner has paid for any outstanding vehicle taxes and kept the proper amount of auto insurance coverage. Therefore, a DMV registration renewal must be requested every time that the document reaches its expiration date.

Getting a DMV car registration renewal in CO is done through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is overseen by the state’s Department of Revenue (DOR). In general, there are various eligibility requirements for a vehicle owner to renew a car registration. Thus, taking the time to prepare for this procedure will allow applicants to avoid mistakes. This article explores this renewal process in Colorado, and will inform you of the best ways to complete it.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Colorado

There are several prerequisites that Colorado residents must meet in order to renew their vehicle credentials in the state, such as paying the DMV registration renewal fees, meeting the eligibility criteria and submitting the appropriate information. In addition, vehicle owners wondering how to renew a car registration must also considering maintaining their auto insurance coverage, paying all property taxes and undergoing an emissions test, if it is required.

If you do not meet the requirements for this procedure, you will not be able to renew a car registration and will be prevented from legally operating that vehicle in the state.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Colorado?

In order to complete a Colorado vehicle registration renewal online or in person, you will need to provide several documents that prove your eligibility. Furthermore, be mindful that different CO counties may ask for different types of credentials as well. Overall, most DMVs will require you to submit your:

  • Current vehicle registration, title and other applicable documents.
  • Renewal notice, including your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number.
  • Documents that prove that your vehicle has the appropriate minimum liability insurance, has all property taxes paid for and was issued positive emissions tests results.

Colorado Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

Your Colorado DMV registration renewal status can be identified by receiving an official notice from the state DMV. Because different counties across the state have varying requirements for this procedure, these notices may be sent to CO vehicle owners at different times in their registration process. However, the primary goal of these documents is to inform drivers of their renewal responsibilities before their registrations expire.

Your vehicle registration renewal notice will include different pieces of information, which are designed to assist you in your renewal process. For instance, this notice may include your VIN, license plate number, list of accrued registration fees, available renewal methods and and due date for the procedure to take place. Depending on your CO county, you will likely get this document between 1 and 2 months before you need to renew a vehicle registration.

Colorado Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

If you have a lost registration renewal notice in Colorado, be mindful that having a physical notice is not required in order to get your credentials renewed. While they can be a useful document that reminds you of deadlines and fees associated with this procedure, this information can also be discovered by contacting your local CO DMV office.

Furthermore, even if you do not have a renewal notice, you will still be responsible for filing this request before your registration expires.

Colorado Car Registration Renewal Options

The Colorado motor vehicle registration renewal process differs due to the fact that each county in the state is responsible for its own procedures and requirements. As such, certain renewal methods that are available in one DMV branch may not be available in others.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

You can renew a car registration in CO by using the state DMV’s official online portal. To use this service, your registration must expire within one month of the date that you renew, and you must not have any liens or other holds on your registered vehicle. You will need to input your important information into the DMV website, making sure to include all relevant data when asked. This process will often allow you to pay with credit cards.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

Certain motorists are able to renew an expired vehicle registration by mail, but only if your county allows it. In many counties, such as Denver County, your renewal notice will include a paid, pre-addressed envelope that allows you to submit all of your information to the DMV office at no additional cost. Conversely, certain counties may not allow mail renewal at all, so it is critical to check with your local DMV to get their renewal options.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

Understanding where to renew an auto registration in Colorado can come down to locating the nearest DMV office in your county. Overall, these offices allow you to come in with all of their required documents listed in previous sections and ask any questions you may have regarding renewals. This is also a popular method of renewal due to the fact that you may be able to cut down on processing times.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Phone

Certain Colorado counties may allow you to renew a vehicle registration by phone. While this method may take a while for applicants to recite all of the details on their important documents, it is a useful tool for those who wish to complete their renewals close to their credentials’ expiration dates.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Colorado

If you need to renew a car registration in Colorado as a service member in the military, be mindful that you may qualify for certain privileges. For example, if you are stationed in CO but are not a resident of the state, you may choose whether to keep your home state registration or get a new one from the DMV. On the other hand, be mindful that this only applies to active duty military personnel.

If you are a Colorado resident who needs to renew a Colorado auto registration while you are out of state, you may be able to complete it by using one of the methods listed in previous sections, such as via mail or online. However, if you are planning to reside outside of Colorado, you will need to get a new vehicle registration from the DMV in your new state of residence.

Colorado Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

Your car registration renewal cost in Colorado is comprised of a few different fees, which will vary greatly depending on your eligibility and county of residence. Some of the most relevant renewal fees that may show up on your renewal notice include:

  • Vehicle-specific fees. These are mostly reliant on the age of your vehicle, which can range from $7 to $12 fees. However, this can also involve the type and weight of vehicle that you are registering.
  • State government fees. There are many fees in Colorado that fall under this category, including the $2 Emergency Medical Services fee and the $1 Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) fee.
  • License plate fees. If you would like a special type of license plate in support of an organization or cause, these can be purchased for an additional fee.

Colorado Vehicle Registration Renewal Forms

Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.

Last updated on Friday, April 1 2022.

Sources

  1. FAQs - Registration from Colorado.gov