Car Registration Renewal In Colorado

Residents of Colorado must be registered with the DMV to drive their vehicles on public roads legally. This registration must be renewed yearly for the car to be legally driven. In Colorado, you can renew your registration in a variety of ways. The DMV's reminder is usually the first notice you will receive when your registration renewal is due. Here is what the Colorado DMV will include on the renewal notice.

Requirements For Registration Renewal

Each state establishes its own DMV vehicle registration renewal requirements. In some cases, counties within a state may also establish different guidelines and rules. As a result, your state or county may be subject to the following requirements:
  • Emissions testing
  • Safety inspections
  • Minimum coverage for auto liability insurance
  • Valid driver's license or photo ID card issued by the state
  • Proof of payment of personal property taxes
Typically, a vehicle registration renewal can only be processed if all outstanding state debts, such as parking tickets, have been paid in full. Similarly, your DMV address must be current before a renewal can be processed.

Renewal Methods In Colorado

Vehicle registrations in Colorado must be renewed each year. Before your vehicle's registration expires, the DMV will send you a renewal notice. Here are some options for renewing your Colorado vehicle registration:

Online

One of the most common ways to renew a Colorado vehicle registration is online. To renew your registration online, complete the following steps:
  • Navigate to the Colorado DMV renewal website.
  • Find out what your license plate number is.
  • Pay any outstanding fees.
  • Please provide your email address so you can receive a copy of the paperwork.

By Mail

For this mail-in request, a vehicle registration renewal notice may be used. In general, motorists must include all items required by the state and an acceptable payment method when renewing their license. Checks and money orders are typically the only forms of payment accepted through the mail. If an applicant does not receive a notice, they may be able to submit this request by sending additional documentation. Postage fees may apply in any case.

In Person

Going in person or using the mail system to send in their renewal fees is ideal for some Colorado residents. If you choose the mailing option, you must provide the address to your local DMV. Here's what you'll need to renew a vehicle's registration in Colorado, whether by mail or in person.
  • You received a registration renewal notice in the mail.
  • If applicable, proof that the vehicle passed the emissions test.
  • A copy of the insurance policy you have on the vehicle
  • You must pay the fees that you owe.

Registration Renewal Fees

When you renew your registration, you must pay several fees, including your license fees, an ownership tax, a processing fee, and our agency fee if you choose to renew through our site. The fees are divided as follows:
  • License Fee
    • These fees are calculated based on the vehicle's age and weight, so the newer or heavier the vehicle, the more you will owe. License fees can range from $50 to several hundred dollars, but the average passenger vehicle costs around $125.
  • Ownership Tax
    • With each renewal, there is a mandatory tax based on the "taxable value" of your vehicle. The final tax amount is calculated as a percentage of your vehicle's taxable value, and the years it has been in service (or the years since the model year). The taxable value for passenger vehicles is 85% of the MSRP and 75% of the MSRP for light trucks.
  • Late Fee
    • The online vehicle system charges a processing fee in addition to the License Fees and Ownership Tax. This fee is typically 2.7% of the transaction amount, but it may vary.