Quick Answer
Yes — Colorado issues a standard (non-REAL ID) license to undocumented residents under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act. Since March 31, 2025, you don't need an SSN or ITIN. To get one:
- Pre-register online and book an appointment at a Colorado driver license office.
- Bring a home-country passport or consular card (unexpired, or expired less than 10 years), 1 proof of your current Colorado address, and a signed affidavit (form DR 2212A).
- Pass the vision exam and give fingerprints; first-time drivers also take the written and driving tests.
The card carries a banner saying it's not valid for federal identification, voting, or public benefits, and it lasts 3 years.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Colorado Without an SSN?
Yes. Colorado's Road and Community Safety Act, SB 13-251 from 2013, created a standard license for residents who can't prove lawful presence. A 2024 law, SB 24-182, took effect on March 31, 2025, and dropped the old requirements for an SSN or ITIN, a Colorado income tax return, and two years of residency records.
Today the DMV asks for 1 identity document, 1 proof of current address, and a signed affidavit. The requirements are listed on the Colorado DMV's standard licenses and IDs page, and the 2025 changes are in SB 24-182.
Which Documents Does Colorado Require Now?
Colorado now asks undocumented applicants for 3 things: a home-country passport, consular card, or military ID that is unexpired or expired less than 10 years; 1 proof of current Colorado address dated within the past year; and a signed CO-RCSA affidavit, form DR 2212A. The DMV's DR 2300C checklist lists each acceptable document.
- 1Identity and date of birth: home-country passport, consular card, or military ID — unexpired, or expired less than 10 years.
- 2Address: 1 document with your full name and a physical Colorado address, dated within the past year. P.O. boxes don't count. Minors may use a parent's address if the parent comes to the appointment.
- 3Affidavit: form DR 2212A, signed at the office or brought with you.
- 4Transfers: if you hold a license from another state, a valid license expired less than 1 year (or a driving record dated within 30 days) helps, but it doesn't replace the documents above.
Name changes
Undocumented applicants can't use a marriage certificate or court order to change the name on the card, so your documents need to show the name you'll use.
How Much Does a Colorado Standard License Cost and How Long Does It Last?
The Colorado driver license fee rose to $32.00 on June 30, 2025, and the DMV collects it at your appointment along with any other applicable fees. A standard credential is valid for 3 years from the date it is issued. A minor's license lasts 3 years or until 20 days after the 21st birthday, whichever comes first.
The fee change is in the Colorado DMV fee announcement. Ask about written-test and driving-test costs if you've never held a license, since those are separate.
How Do I Apply in Colorado Step by Step?
Applying takes 5 steps: pre-register online, book an appointment, check in no more than 15 minutes early, then pass the vision exam, give fingerprints, and have your photo taken. You leave with a temporary paper license that is valid immediately, and the DMV mails the permanent card within 30 days.
- Step 1: Pre-register online with the Colorado DMV.
- Step 2: Schedule an appointment at a driver license office.
- Step 3: Bring your identity document, address proof, and DR 2212A affidavit, and check in online or at a kiosk up to 15 minutes before your time.
- Step 4: Pass the vision exam, give fingerprints, and have your photo taken (remove glasses and hats unless worn for religious reasons). First-time drivers also need the written and driving tests.
- Step 5: Leave with a temporary paper credential; the permanent card arrives by mail within 30 days.
What Can and Can't You Do With a Colorado Standard License?
A Colorado standard license lets you drive legally in the state, and it carries a black banner reading "Not Valid For Federal Identification, Voting or Public Benefit Purposes." Because it isn't REAL ID compliant, TSA won't accept it for domestic flights, and it doesn't prove immigration status or work authorization.
- Drive legally anywhere in Colorado and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- Renew every 3 years under the same rules
You cannot use it to:
- Board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal building — see flying with an ITIN
- Vote, apply for public benefits, or prove immigration status
Does the Colorado DMV Share Applicant Data With ICE?
Colorado law limits that sharing. SB 21-131, signed in June 2021, bars state employees, including the DMV, from disclosing personal identifying information to help federal immigration enforcement, except through a court-authorized criminal process. The U.S. Justice Department has sued Colorado over the law, so its future depends on that case.
The law's text and history are on the Colorado General Assembly page for SB 21-131.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ITIN for a Colorado driver's license?
No. Since March 31, 2025, SB 24-182 removed the SSN or ITIN requirement for undocumented applicants, along with the Colorado tax return and the two years of residency records.
Does Colorado accept a matrícula consular?
Yes. A consular card from your home country works as your identity document if it is unexpired or expired less than 10 years. A home-country passport or military ID also works.
How many proofs of address does Colorado need?
One. It must show your full name and a physical Colorado address and be dated within the past year. P.O. boxes aren't accepted.
Why does Colorado take fingerprints?
State law (C.R.S. 42-2-107 and 42-2-302) requires fingerprints for this credential, so they are taken at your appointment along with your photo and vision exam.
How long is a Colorado standard license valid?
Three years from the date it is issued. For drivers under 21, it lasts 3 years or until 20 days after the 21st birthday, whichever comes first.
Can I fly with a Colorado standard license?
No. It isn't REAL ID compliant and says it isn't valid for federal identification. Use your passport or another TSA-accepted ID to fly.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Colorado is 1 of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. Its neighbors Utah and New Mexico do too, though Utah issues a separate driving privilege card, while Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arizona do not. Since July 1, 2025, Wyoming has also treated Colorado licenses issued to undocumented immigrants as invalid.
Driving north? Read the Wyoming guide before you cross the state line.
For the complete list with each state's law and requirements, see the full driver's license guide →