, you have 90 days to register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles—but to do so, you’ll need a VIN verification and proof of Colorado

car insurance

. Depending on where you live and the vehicle's age, you may also need to pass the state emissions test.

The cost to register your car in Colorado depends on your vehicle and the type of license plate you choose.
Vehicle registration times are 90 days for new residents, 60 days for new vehicles, and 30 days for current renewals.
You can register your car online, in person, or through a Colorado MV Express Kiosk at your local grocery store.

How much it costs to register a car in Colorado

Whether you’ve bought a new vehicle from a dealership or a used one from a private seller, the process to

in Colorado is similar. But unlike some states, Colorado doesn’t have set vehicle registration fees.

The cost of a license plate in Colorado is based on:

Vehicle type

Weight of the vehicle

License plate type

In general, for a passenger vehicle, you can expect to pay around the following:

One year: $50

Two years: $100

Three years: $150

For an estimate of your registration fees, you can use the Colorado Department of Revenue’s

estimate calculator

—just input your vehicle information, and you’ll receive an estimate of what you can expect to pay.

Additional fees may be due based on your county of residence and the type of

Colorado license plate

you choose. Coloradans who fail to register their vehicle within the grace period will be required to pay prorated back taxes and fees on top of their vehicle registration fees.

Taxes and fees vary based on the vehicle you drive and county where you’ll register your vehicle—contact your

county motor vehicle office

to inquire about fees

Payments are accepted in cash, check, money orders, debit, and credit cards.

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When to register your car

Before registering your car in Colorado, you’ll need to get in-state car insurance, provide a completed VIN verification form, and pay a registration fee. In some counties, gas-powered cars over seven years old must also pass vehicle emissions testing.

If you just moved to Colorado

If you’re a new Colorado resident, you have 30 days to get your

Colorado driver’s license

and 90 days to register your out-of-state vehicle. Your local

driver’s license office

can help you transfer your license, but when you're ready for vehicle registration, you’ll need to head down to a

county motor vehicle office

instead.

Before you can complete your vehicle registration, there are a few things you have to do.

Purchase Colorado

car insurance

. To register your car in Colorado, you’ll need

proof of car insurance

in the form of a valid insurance card. If your current insurer provides coverage in Colorado, call them to update your policy. You can also look for new auto insurance by downloading the

Jerry

app to compare coverage and rates between Colorado insurance companies.

Visit your local police station and ask for a VIN verification. A police officer will inspect your vehicle and check whether the VIN matches the number on your current registration or title. As long as it does, the officer will provide you with a

VIN verification form

to present to the DMV office when you register your car.

Get an emissions test. If you drive a gas-powered car that’s over seven years old and you live in a

participating county

, visit an

AirCare Colorado

location for a

Colorado emissions test

. If your vehicle passes the test, you’ll be given a certificate of emissions compliance, which you’ll need to bring to the motor vehicle office when you register your car. If you fail the test, you’ll be asked to repair your vehicle and retake the test. The fee for emissions testing is $25 for passenger vehicles.

Once you’ve met these requirements, you’re ready to register your vehicle! Just bring your documents to your county’s motor vehicle office and pay the

registration fee

to get your registration stickers and Colorado license plates.

First-time vehicle registrations can also be done online through

myDMV

once you receive your Title Complete notice from the county. If you register your vehicle online, it usually takes about 21 days to receive your plates, tags, and registration via USPS.

If you bought a car from a dealership

If you are the proud owner of a brand new set of wheels, you’ll need to register your car before you can hit the road—and it needs to be done within 60 days of purchase.

If you’re financing a vehicle through your dealership, here’s how registration will work:

The dealership will forward the title paperwork to your county’s motor vehicle office.

The dealer will give you temporary tags to drive the vehicle while the paperwork is processed.

After your local DMV has processed the title paperwork, you will receive a Title Complete Notice indicating that you can purchase license plates and register your vehicle.

Once you receive a Title Complete Notice, you can register your vehicle over the phone by dialing 311 or visiting any Colorado DMV branch to purchase license plates and register your vehicle. You will need to pay the appropriate licensing fees and ownership tax.

Bring the following documents to a

DMV branch location

Owner identification; or

Anyone other than a named vehicle owner must present a completed and notarized

Form DR2175

Power of Attorney and their identification

Proof of Colorado car insurance

If you made a cash purchase and need to register your car, you’ll need to visit your local DMV branch. Ensure you have any documents supplied by the dealer and everything listed below:

New owner identification or designated power of attorney

Emissions test

Proof of auto insurance coverage

Purchase price receipts and paperwork from the dealer

Registration fees

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If you bought a car in a private sale

If you

buy a used car from a private seller

that is already titled, you’ll need to visit your local Colorado DMV to complete the registration process. You’ll need to gather the following documents:

Vehicle title or a current registration certificate for the car

Proof of insurance

Vehicle’s identification number (VIN) (Form DR 2698) if the car was registered in a different state

Certificate of emissions compliance (if applicable)

Identification

All sales taxes and fees

If you finance the car, you must provide your DMV service rep with your loan documents.

MORE:

Does Colorado require front license plates?

What you need to renew your registration

If you’re renewing your Colorado registration online, you’ll need to have the following documents:

Vehicle license plate number

Current emissions test results (if applicable)

Valud car insurance information

Payment method for fees

A valid email address

If you’re heading to your local Colorado DMV to register your vehicle for the first time, you’ll need to bring the following:

VIN certification (if applicable)

Completed application for a Colorado title or registration (Form DR 2395)

Current registration from the state where they used to live (if applicable)

Valid Colorado car insurance

Valid

Colorado driver’s licens

e, photo I.D., or U.S. military I.D.

All tax receipts or proof of payment from the last state of residence

Car registration-related fees

Emissions testing certificate

How to renew your Colorado vehicle registration

In Colorado, car registration is valid for one year. To help you remember, the DMV will mail you a registration renewal notice approximately two months before your registration expires. If you’re unsure when your registration expires, check the sticker on your license plate.

Once your registration expires, you have a 30-day “grace period” to renew. If you fail to renew your insurance within this period, you could be fined $300 for having expired tags. To avoid late fees, renew your registration as soon as you receive your renewal notice.

There are three options to renew your Colorado car registration:

Visit the Colorado DMV website and use their

online registration portal

Visit your county’s motor vehicle office to renew in-person

Use a

Colorado MV Express Kiosk

at your local grocery store

Remember If you live in a county requiring emissions testing, you may need to visit an AirCare Colorado location before you can renew your registration.

How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate

If your license plates or registration stickers were lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement set from the Department of Motor Vehicles by filling out

Form DR 2283

. Costs for replacement plates depend on your plate type and how much time is left on your registration.

MORE:

How to renew your driver’s license in Colorado

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FAQ

What are the requirements to register a vehicle in Colorado?

To complete a first-time Colorado car registration, you must pay the registration fee, provide proof of Colorado car insurance, and present a completed VIN verification form. You also might need to pass an emissions test if you live in a participating county and drive a gasoline-powered vehicle that’s more than seven years old.

Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in Colorado?

If you’re living in the state of Colorado temporarily but aren’t a permanent state resident—such as an out-of-state student attending a Colorado college or university or a non-resident visiting family for an extended period of time—then you don’t need to register your car in Colorado.

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