Driving Tests

Colorado Standard Driver's License for Undocumented Residents (CO-RCSA)

informational·how to guide·Published May 2, 2026

Can I get a Colorado driver's license without legal status?

Yes. Colorado issues a Standard driver's license, instruction permit or ID card to undocumented and temporarily lawfully present (TLP) residents. The usual permit and license rules apply. Bring identity documents and one proof of Colorado address; TLP applicants also prove lawful presence, and undocumented applicants sign the CO-RCSA affidavit. A license costs $36 and a permit $23. The card lasts up to 3 years and is not REAL ID.

Where the Colorado Standard license rules come from

The Colorado DMV Standard license and ID cards page lists the credential, documents, appointment and renewal rules. The DMV rules, 1 CCR 204-30 Rule 1, set identity documents, translations, interpreters, fees and denials. The DMV documents page lists the TLP options. Other sources: the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (C.R.S. 42-2-501 to 506) and C.R.S. 42-2-104 (2024 edition), and the DMV fee and new-to-Colorado pages. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Colorado DMV (dmv.colorado.gov) before you drive.

What a Colorado Standard credential is

A Standard credential is a Colorado driver's license, instruction permit or ID card for residents who are undocumented (NLP) or temporarily lawfully present (TLP). It is a valid Colorado identification but not REAL ID, so you cannot use it for federal purposes, voting or federal public benefits. The card carries a black banner: "Not Valid For Federal Identification, Voting or Public Benefit Purposes." It is valid for 3 years from issue. For an applicant under 21, a minor driver's license ends after 3 years or 20 days after the 21st birthday, and a permit or ID card after 3 years or on the 21st birthday, whichever comes first.

Documents to bring: undocumented (NLP) and TLP residents

Documents to bring: undocumented (NLP) and TLP residents
Item	Undocumented (NLP)	Temporarily lawfully present (TLP)
Identity	A passport, consular card or military ID from your home country, unexpired or expired less than 10 years. It must show your full legal name, date of birth, issue date, issuing country and a full facial photo.	Identity documents from the DR 2300B checklist, for example a foreign passport with your photo that is valid or expired less than 10 years.
Lawful presence or affidavit	The CO-RCSA affidavit (DR 2212A on the DMV Standard page), signed in the office or brought in signed.	A valid work authorization card, a temporary resident stamp, or an I-94 with a valid passport. You can also bring one document from List A and one from List B.
Proof of address	One proof of a current physical Colorado address, for every issuance.	One proof of a current physical Colorado address.
Name change	A current passport, consular card or foreign military ID from your home country. A marriage certificate or court order does not work.	An updated USCIS document, such as an I-94 with a foreign passport, an Employment Authorization Card (I-766), or an I-797 with a foreign passport. A marriage certificate or court order does not work.
Missing identity document	Exceptions processing is not available now. The DMV says to check back on January 1, 2027.	You may be eligible for exceptions processing if you prove lawful presence but lack an identity or date-of-birth document.

How to get a Colorado Standard license or permit

1
Gather the original documents for your group
Check which group you are in: undocumented (NLP) or temporarily lawfully present (TLP). Bring originals or certified copies with an official government seal or stamp. A notary public cannot certify. Copies, photos and laminated versions are not accepted.
2
Add one proof of Colorado address
It must show your full name and a physical address (not a P.O. box), be dated within the past year and be in English. A bank statement, pay stub, utility or credit card bill, lease, vehicle registration, insurance policy, first-class government mail or a USPS Change of Address Form can work.
3
Pre-register and book an appointment
Pre-register online, then schedule an appointment at a driver license office. Undocumented applicants complete the CO-RCSA affidavit before or at the appointment.
4
Pass the vision exam and give fingerprints
The technician gives a basic vision exam, takes your fingerprints and a new photo. You also meet the other rules for the permit or license that you apply for.
5
Pay the fee and wait for the card
A license or minor driver's license costs $36.00, a permit $23.00 and an ID card $14.00. You get a temporary paper credential that is valid immediately. The permanent card is mailed to your address within 30 days.

Special cases at the DMV office

You are undocumented and your passport, consular card or military ID expired 10 years ago or more

It does not meet the 10-year limit. The DMV does not accept a foreign driver's license as proof of identity, and exceptions processing is not available to undocumented customers now.

You are TLP and hold a REAL ID license from another state

You can transfer the driving privileges, but Colorado issues a Standard license or permit with the restricted banner. Bring the old license (valid or expired less than one year) or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days. It does not replace your identity documents.

You are under 18

You can use a parent's proof of address if that parent comes to the appointment. Before a minor driver's license, you must hold the instruction permit for at least 12 months and log at least 50 hours of driving, 10 of them at night (C.R.S. 42-2-104 (4)). Try the free question on the permit hold period and driving log, and see the Colorado instruction permit at 15 guide for the permit steps.

Translations and interpreters

A document that is not in English needs a complete, certified translation. The translator's affirmation goes on the same page, with the number and state of the translator's unexpired license, permit or ID. Present the original and the translation together. You pay for translations and arrange any interpreter yourself. Some offices have translation devices, or a friend or family member who shows an unexpired license or ID can translate. For the written test, the interpreter must be at least 16 and may only translate the written questions and possible answers. For proofs of address and other permit papers, see the guide to Colorado permit documents.

Renewal and duplicates of a Standard credential

Undocumented drivers over 21 can renew online with the proof document last presented and a new CO-RCSA affidavit. In person, bring your latest Colorado license or permit (or identity documents), one proof of address dated within the past year and a new affidavit.
TLP drivers renew in the office only. Bring your latest Colorado credential, your latest unexpired lawful presence documents or extension letters, and one proof of address dated within the past year. A TLP license holder cannot downgrade the license to an ID card online.
You cannot get a duplicate after your lawful presence status changes. You renew instead.
From January 1, 2027, the law (2024 edition) adds U.S. government identifying documents, under DMV rules, as an identity option for undocumented applicants.

Help with appointments

Nonprofit partner groups can help you schedule an appointment. They work on a volunteer or nonprofit basis and are not DMV employees. The DMV Standard page links to the list of partners.

Key Takeaways

A Colorado Standard license, permit or ID card is open to undocumented (NLP) and temporarily lawfully present (TLP) residents and is valid for up to 3 years.
It is not REAL ID. It cannot be used for federal purposes, voting or federal public benefits.
Undocumented applicants bring a home-country passport, consular card or military ID, the CO-RCSA affidavit and one proof of Colorado address.
A license costs $36, a permit $23 and an ID card $14.
Next step: practice on the free Colorado Class R practice test before your permit test. Our practice questions are in English only.

Colorado Standard license: common questions

Do I need a new CO-RCSA affidavit when I renew?

Yes, if you are undocumented. Each renewal, online or in person, needs a new, completed CO-RCSA affidavit. Online renewal (for drivers over 21) also needs the proof document that you last presented. In person, also bring your latest Colorado license or permit (or identity documents) and one proof of Colorado address dated within the past year. TLP drivers renew in the office only.

Can I use my foreign driver's license as ID at the Colorado DMV?

No. The DMV does not accept a foreign driver's license as proof of identity for an undocumented applicant. Bring a passport, consular card or military ID from your home country instead. It can be unexpired or expired less than 10 years, and it must show a full facial photograph.

Can I register a car with a Colorado Standard license?

Yes. Vehicle registration is available to Standard credential holders in the same manner as to all other Colorado residents. Fees for titles and registration are not collected by the state DMV, so ask your county motor vehicle office about them.

What happens if the DMV says my documents are not enough?

You get a Notice of Incomplete Application that lists what is missing, and you can come back with the documents before a denial. After a Notice of Denial, you can send a written request for a hearing within 60 days. Fraudulent or altered documents mean a denial.

Can a temporary resident get a Colorado commercial license?

Not now. Since September 29, 2025, the DMV has paused issuing and renewing term-limited commercial driver's licenses and commercial learner permits for temporarily lawfully present residents. The pause lasts until further notice, so check the DMV Standard page before you plan a CDL.