Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of situations that will not allow a driver to renew car registration in Colorado, such as:

• If you did not undergo/did not pass emissions testing when it was required
• If you have unpaid tickets
• If you have unpaid late fees

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

Yes, the state of Colorado requires that all boats equipped with sails or motors be registered. The registration of these vessels must be completed before they are taken out on waters that are open to the public.

For more information: How to Register a Boat or Water Craft in Colorado

While drivers are not required to report stolen car registration in Colorado, the CO DMV does recommend that you do so in the event of a loss or theft. Doing so will help minimize the issue and prevent fraudulent activity from occurring.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

To find out whether or not you are required to return license plates in Colorado, contact your local driver license office. The need to surrender your plates is determined by each Colorado county, so the procedure varies around the state.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

The Division of Motor Vehicles recommends that drivers turn in damaged registration cards when requesting a duplicate car registration in Colorado. Given that the original document still holds important information, it is crucial that it is disposed of properly, and the DMV will make sure that this happens.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

Yes, low-power scooters must be registered in the state of Colorado. Applicants must fill out and submit a Low-Power Scooter Registration Application DR 2701 form, along with the other standard registration documents.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

Emissions testing is required for Colorado vehicle registration if you live in any of the following counties:

• Boulder
• Broomfield
• Denver
• Douglas
• Jefferson
• Parts of Adams
• Parts of Arapahoe
• Parts of Larimer
• Parts of Weld
• Parts of El Paso

To find out if your vehicle requires testing, contact your local driver license office.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

Residents in Colorado can renew car registration in three ways: online, in person and by mail.

Online

Visit the CO DMV website and provide the following information:

• Your license plate number
• An active credit card or checking account information
• A valid email address

After following the prompts and paying for a renewed Colorado auto registration, you will receive the new documents within 15 business days.

In Person

In order to renew in person, visit a local registration office and provide:

• Your registration renewal notice.
• Proof of car insurance, if necessary.
• Proof of emissions testing, if necessary.
• Payment for renewal fees.

o Some offices will allow you to pay with credit card, but many only take cash.

By Mail

Gather the above documents and mail them and payment to the address listed on your car registration renewal form.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

Within 90 days of becoming a resident, you must register car credentials in Colorado. To do so, go to a nearby driver license office with these documents:

• VIN verification
• Your out-of-state registration or car title
• Proof of emissions testing, if necessary
• Proof of auto insurance in Colorado:
  • Insurance card
  • Copy of insurance policy
• Secure and Verifiable Identification Information:
  • License to drive
  • US passport
  • Certificate of Citizenship
• Payment for taxes and fees

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

Follow the steps below to apply for disabled parking placards and plates:

1. Fill out a Parking Privileges Application DR 2219 form
2. Get a licensed medical professional (physician, surgeon, nurse practitioner, etc.) to certify the form
3. Submit the form during CO auto registration

For more information: Information for Disabled Drivers in Colorado

While it is not required by law that drivers reportstolen car registration, the DMV recommends that you take the time to visit your local police department and file the appropriate forms. Simply notify a police officer of your situation and provide the requested information. Once you have done so, the police department will be able to keep tabs on your registration to monitor it for fraudulent activity.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

In order to replace car registration in Colorado, visit a local registration office and provide the following:

• Coloradodrivers license
• Proof of car insurance
• Current auto registration card, if replacing tabs
• Vehicle information:
  • VIN
  • Make
  • Model
  • Year
  • License plate number

• Payment for the fees:
  • $2.20 for registration card
  • $2.37 for registration tab

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

In order to obtain auto registration in Colorado, one must visit a DMV office with the following materials:

• Proof of emissions testing, depending on your county of residence
• Proof of CO auto insurance:
  • Insurance card
  • Copy of insurance policy

• Secure and Verifiable Identification Information:
  • Drivers license
  • US passport
  • Certificate of Citizenship

• VIN verification, if titled in another state
• Vehicle title in the name of the owner or current out-of-state registration
• Payment for the fees and taxes

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

Yes. Drivers who do not renew car registration by the due date will be subject to monthly fines. While there is a one-month grace period after expiration, every following month will result in a $25 fee. The limit of fees that a person can pay is $100 (four months).

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

In order to obtain replacement license plates, you must visit a local motor vehicle office and follow the steps below:

1. Fill out the Lost or Stolen License Plate/Permit Affidavit DR 2283 form
2. Provide the remaining license plate, if applicable.
   • Damaged plates should be turned in as well.
3. Provide your CO drivers license.
4. Pay the duplicate fee.

The only substantial difference between replacing standard and CO personalized plates is that fees will be higher for personalized license plates.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

All drivers should keep their car registration documents in the car at all times. This allows drivers to have easy access in case they get pulled over by a police officer.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

There are a few different reasons why someone would have to replace car registration in Colorado. The most common are:

• Their original card has been lost.
• Their registration card has been stolen.
• Their card has been damaged or destroyed.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

In the state of Colorado, auto registration fees vary based on the county of residence and the empty weight of the vehicle in question. Fees include the licensing fee, sales tax (based on the vehicle s purchase price) and the ownership tax. Many county websites have car registration fee calculators available for your convenience.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

The price to obtain an auto registration replacement card is just $2.20. A replacement tab is $2.37. When going in person to a local registration office, one will typically have to pay in cash. Only certain offices allow drivers to pay with a major credit card.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

The fees for renewing car registration in Colorado vary based on a variety of factors. These factors include:

• The age of the vehicle.
• The type of license plate.
• The date of purchase.
• The vehicle s weight.
• The car s taxable value.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

In order to obtain a car registration replacement card, one must bring the following documents:

• CO drivers license
• Proof of car insurance in Colorado

Additionally, if a driver wants to obtain replacement tabs, he or she must also bring the vehicle s current car registration.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

The documents necessary to register car credentials in Colorado are numerous. They include:

• Secure and Verifiable Identification Information:
  • Driving license (from in or out-of-state)
  • US passport
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Proof of emissions testing, if applicable

• Proof of Colorado auto insurance:
  • Insurance card
  • Copy of insurance policy
  • VIN verification, if titled in another state
  • Vehicle title in the name of the owner or current out-of-state registration

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Colorado

Drivers who are renewing car registration in person at a local registration office or by mail must provide a number of documents. These include:

• The vehicle registration renewal notice
• Proof of emissions testing, if applicable.
• Proof of car insurance, if necessary.

If renewing online, you only need to provide your license plate number, credit card information and an email address.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

In the event you do not receive your new registration tags within 15 business days, contact the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles and notify them of the issue. Reach the DMV by phone at 303-205-5600 or by email at dor_mvadmin@state.co.us.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

If you are not sure when your auto registration tags expire, wait for your renewal notice to arrive. In addition to listing the owed fee and the mailing address of your county clerk, the notice will also detail the final date for renewing car registration.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

If you need to perform any task related to Colorado car registration, such as obtaining, renewing or replacing credentials, you must visit a county registration office. Fortunately, these locations are spread all throughout the state.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

You may need to fill out a form to replace car registration in Colorado. It all depends on the county that you live in. Boulder County, for instance, requires drivers to fill out an application, but El Paso County does not. Contact your local registration office to find out more information.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Colorado

Colorado residents should receive a CO car registration renewal notice in the mail when their due date is approaching. This notice will include insurance and emissions testing requirements (if applicable), the mailing address of your local county clerk and the registration fees you owe.

Drivers who do not receive a notice are still responsible for renewal if their expiration date is near.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado

For your vehicle registration s specific expiration date, check the auto registration renewal notice that you received in the mail. These notifications will provide the due date as well as the fees that you owe, the mailing address of the county clerk and insurance/emissions requirements.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Colorado