View Full Version : Colorado Driver's License
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 02:00
So, this might sound a little weird, but I'm going to go get my Colorado Driver's License tomorrow. For those of you who don't know (most of you) I'm active duty air force. I've been in Colorado Springs for 5 years, and I plan on being here for at least another 4, and I really want to buy some acreage here and settle down. I'm sick of having to lug a briefcase full of paperwork with me to buy a gun and I'm sick of not being able to do trades or transfers with forum members because I have an out of state DL. I've been participating in Colorado politics for a few years now, both of our vehicles are registered in Colorado, and I really feel like I belong here.
I think it's time to get my freaking CO DL.
[Ban1] [Ban1] [Ban1] [Ban1] [Ban1]
islandermyk
08-02-2012, 02:03
Do it man! Then you can get NFA items, CCW, etc...
I've been in Colorado "On" and "Off" 11 years now... and still loving it [Beer]
GilpinGuy
08-02-2012, 02:03
Nice! Another good guy on the books in CO! [Beer] Register to vote while you're at it.
jhood001
08-02-2012, 02:12
Glad you're laying some roots down in CO. There are plenty of snakes and other nasty shit for you to eat 'round here.
JohnTRourke
08-02-2012, 06:04
DON'T DO IT
it's a total nightmare, and pretty much the waste of at least half a day.
expect to need a real birth certificate if you're out of state (depends on the state your original is from) and another form proving your current address (cuz, you know your current driver's license isn't enough, which makes zero sense)
fucking blows.
theGinsue
08-02-2012, 06:30
^^ What he said. Consider these things before you go to do this:
If they require your birth certificate, you'll need a STATE issued birth certificate. Most BC's are county issued.
The problem with what you are proposing is that you will lose your ability to register your vehicles as a non-resident which means you'll now have to state paying the personal property tax on each registration. This gets costly real quick. (Just registered my 1995 POS Toyota Celica commute car last week - $165.)
I don't know which state you are currently a resident of, but you'll now have to file/pay CO state income taxes on your AD pay. If you're married and your spouse hasn't "become" a CO resident yet, this will definitely change now.
Yes, it WILL simplify things like purchasing a firearm, etc. but in the end, is it worth it?
DON'T DO IT
it's a total nightmare, and pretty much the waste of at least half a day.
expect to need a real birth certificate if you're out of state (depends on the state your original is from) and another form proving your current address (cuz, you know your current driver's license isn't enough, which makes zero sense)
fucking blows.
Longmont DMV sucks big time.
I had to go to some place in Denver to prove I was a legal alien before I could get a license as my PA one wasn't sufficient.
streetglideok
08-02-2012, 07:03
Think that's bad, throw in a CDL into the mix. License is good for 4years, costs twice as much, and you have to have a fresh medical card. That means you go to a clinic and get your nads felt up, and dont even get a cheap thrill,lol. Since the OP is here in town, there is a DMV/DOR whatever they call them here for licenses up the road from my shop, on Union north of constitution. Get there early, within 30min of them opening. Show up in uniform. It wasn't a big ordeal to get my license transfered really, and compared to oklahoma and kansas, your plates are cheap on newer vehicles.
JohnTRourke
08-02-2012, 07:40
Longmont DMV sucks big time.
I had to go to some place in Denver to prove I was a legal alien before I could get a license as my PA one wasn't sufficient.
Shit, i gave up on Longmont, finally ended up at Loveland, which wasn't bad (only 3 hours wasted, longmont would have been all day)
JohnTRourke
08-02-2012, 07:41
Think that's bad, throw in a CDL into the mix. License is good for 4years, costs twice as much, and you have to have a fresh medical card. That means you go to a clinic and get your nads felt up, and dont even get a cheap thrill,lol. Since the OP is here in town, there is a DMV/DOR whatever they call them here for licenses up the road from my shop, on Union north of constitution. Get there early, within 30min of them opening. Show up in uniform. It wasn't a big ordeal to get my license transfered really, and compared to oklahoma and kansas, your plates are cheap on newer vehicles.
you haven't done your CDL this year have you?
cuz now you have to fax in your medical card so they can update your license somehow online, every time the medical card expires
but
you still have to carry the card on you
despite the fact not one DOT cop has ever asked for my medical card.
oh, yes, we live in the freest country in the world. (sarcasm) [M2]
Canuckistani
08-02-2012, 08:14
you haven't done your CDL this year have you?
cuz now you have to fax in your medical card so they can update your license somehow online, every time the medical card expires
but
you still have to carry the card on you
despite the fact not one DOT cop has ever asked for my medical card.
oh, yes, we live in the freest country in the world. (sarcasm) [M2]
Just got done with this crap myself - renewed my CDL, but my med didn't expire until like 2 or 3mo later. Then got a letter in the mail saying they'd suspend my license if I didn't bring in the updated medical form. Stood in line for 1-1/2hrs just to have her make a copy of the form and say thanks.
Guess I should have read the letter completely & seen the fax number on the bottom. [Rant1]
You guys are scarying him.[Coffee]
He did say he planned on buying land and living here, so he will have to do this eventually.
It is a pain but if you have the paperwork needed it is not that bad. I went to boulder DMV to get an MVR, moving fast, was there less than half an hour. Guy in front me to the initial check in the guy was getting a CO drivers license. He had 2 bills addressed to him an out of state drivers license and his birth certificate. The intake gal said good, take this test and bring back to me. So not too hard....... :)
Rucker61
08-02-2012, 08:26
I got my CDL when I moved here 12 years ago, and it was the easiest DMV trip ever. Loveland used to have a small DMV office that was located about three minutes from my office. There were no other customers when I arrived, and all of the employees were friendly and jocular. It took about 5-10 minutes max, and that included registering as a Republican voter.
Sharpienads
08-02-2012, 08:35
Ha, you guys are just a bunch of fear mongerers!!![Tooth]
I was in the exact same boat as you, Honey Badger. I am active duty AF, moved up here from TX almost 2 years ago and just recently got my CODL. It's pretty easy. You don't need a BC. Also, I am still a TX resident as far as taxes are concerned, but registered to vote here.
If you can, avoid the DMV by Pete like the plague and drive up to the one on N. Union in the Albertson's shopping center. Go in uniform and you cut to the front of the line. When I went I think it took me about 5 minutes total to get my DL. And the chick helping me was pretty cute, too.
The website will tell you everything you need to bring, and if you have questions just give them a call.
JohnTRourke
08-02-2012, 08:51
I got my CDL when I moved here 12 years ago, and it was the easiest DMV trip ever. Loveland used to have a small DMV office that was located about three minutes from my office. There were no other customers when I arrived, and all of the employees were friendly and jocular. It took about 5-10 minutes max, and that included registering as a Republican voter.
CDL's are a much bigger PITA now. You can only do them at particular locations (and loveland isn't one of them anymore), the med card, the driving test at someplace you have to pay (yeah, sorry, you don't want those people you already pay for getting up do you?)
wait
I just realized you meant COLORADO driver's license, not COMMERCIAL driver's license.
streetglideok
08-02-2012, 09:11
I did a CDL transfer from oklahoma last year actually. I went in the first time, and they refused to transfer without a valid med card. So off to the clinic I went to get felt up by a cute PA,lol. Then went back the next week and did the mock eye test, signed some forms, let them copy my med card, and got a little piece of paper. Now when you test for your CDL, thats a whole nother can of worms.
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 09:32
You guys are scarying him.[Coffee]
He did say he planned on buying land and living here, so he will have to do this eventually.
It is a pain but if you have the paperwork needed it is not that bad. I went to boulder DMV to get an MVR, moving fast, was there less than half an hour. Guy in front me to the initial check in the guy was getting a CO drivers license. He had 2 bills addressed to him an out of state drivers license and his birth certificate. The intake gal said good, take this test and bring back to me. So not too hard....... :)
I'm scared! [Peep]
According to the website, I only need to bring my Mil ID and a utility bill to meet the requirements. To be safe, I'm going to bring my social security card and birth certificate, along with another piece of mail.
To you "fear mongers" (lol) I am maintaining my Michigan residency and DL, so I can still get out of state registration for my vehicle (only saves about $20 a year) and FYI, if you are military, you get the same discount on registration as long as you are not a "legal resident of Colorado". I intend to stay a legal resident of Michigan for a little while, and as far as I can tell, there are no issues here. I looked all over the IRS website and both Colorado an Michigan state websites and it seems that as long as I am active duty, I can maintain Michigan as my legal state of residence.
I'll be off active duty in a few years, and then I'll probably become a full-on Colorado resident for taxes and all that.
10mm-man
08-02-2012, 09:38
Humm,Ok... I wouldn't, no advantage- Can still buy property, can still do trades with forum members (show orders), can get CCW. Don't see the advantage besides taking a folder of paper work w/ you part..
Anyway I guess "Welcome" regardless....
Changed: Do it just a little time out of your day!
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 09:38
The problem with what you are proposing is that you will lose your ability to register your vehicles as a non-resident which means you'll now have to state paying the personal property tax on each registration.
As far as I can tell, this is not true. I was at the DMV 2 weeks ago renewing my vehicle registration (only cost $120 [Tooth]) and the guy at the counter said I can keep my Michigan legal residency while having a CO DL.
I don't know which state you are currently a resident of, but you'll now have to file/pay CO state income taxes on your AD pay. If you're married and your spouse hasn't "become" a CO resident yet, this will definitely change now.
Yes, it WILL simplify things like purchasing a firearm, etc. but in the end, is it worth it?
Also, as far as both states are concerned, I can maintain legal resident status in Michigan which allows me to pay my state taxes to them ($0) If I'm wrong on this, then a few years down the road I might owe some backtaxes or something, but at my current pay grade, that won't be too much! [ROFL1]
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 09:41
Humm,Ok... I wouldn't no advantage- Can still buy property, can still do trades with forum members (show orders), can get CCW. Don't see the advantage besides taking a folder of paper work w/ you part..
Anyway I guess "Welcome" regardless....
I'm seriously sick of having trading post deals fall through because I don't have a CO DL. And it seems that every gun store has different requirements.. I've had multiple gun stores demand a letter from my commander authorizing a firearms purchase, along with orders and my Michigan DL and my Mil ID. Then again, 2 of the stores I've purchased from only wanted my orders and Mil ID. I'm just sick of the guessing game and the extra hassle.
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 09:42
Anyway, off I go! I'll let ya'll know how it goes and if I gather any new information from the DMV.
I think it's time to get my freaking CO DL.
Don't rush into anything...
Zundfolge
08-02-2012, 09:49
DON'T DO IT
it's a total nightmare, and pretty much the waste of at least half a day.
expect to need a real birth certificate if you're out of state (depends on the state your original is from) and another form proving your current address (cuz, you know your current driver's license isn't enough, which makes zero sense)
fucking blows.
When I moved here to Colorado Springs from Kansas 10 years ago, getting my new CO drivers license was actually easier to get than renewing my previous Kansas one (for one thing I got to the office before it opened so there wasn't a line).
No hassles...no birth certificate. The lady at the license counter at the office up on Garden of the Gods is a humorless bitch but she's efficient (she may forget to tell you to look down at the little black dot on the camera though).
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 09:51
Don't rush into anything...
Rush into it? I've been here for 5 years...
JohnTRourke
08-02-2012, 11:08
Rush into it? I've been here for 5 years...
exactly
what's the rush?
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 11:31
exactly
what's the rush?
Whelp, Just got back from the DMV. That was the longest I've ever had to wait.. about 15 minutes. Quick and painless and now I have a driver's license in Colorado and Michigan. You guys seem so skeptical, but I don't see any possible downside to this..
Does that make me the newest CO resident on the forum? [Tooth]
Good to have another full on resident gun owner! We need them badly
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 11:55
Yeah, I've been a member of the NRA and RMGO for about 4 years, and I certainly try to do my part to keep the public shooting ranges clean and safe. I will say though... it was WAY too easy to become a Colorado resident. If you are in Colorado for 90 days, you automatically become a resident. To become a Texas resident, the process is much more difficult. They protect their citizenship, and we give it away for free. This is probably one reason why Colorado is becoming more and more liberal.
Mama Bear
08-02-2012, 12:00
It really is a nightmare. I should have switched my license immediately, instead I procrastinated. Then I got robbed. My new Jersey county birth certificate was not good enough for the exemptions process, so I had to get a state issued one. Well, they wouldn't give me that without I.d, which was stolen. Took 3 months to get that, and then I had to submit every piece of information I had on myself, even my daughters birth certificate to Denver, and they took to weeks to determine that I am in fact myself and not an illegal immigrant. Having no identification for 4 months was awful, I couldn't even return stuff to Kohl's.
kidicarus13
08-02-2012, 12:04
Quick and painless and now I have a driver's license in Colorado and Michigan.
That's a big no-no
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 12:22
That's a big no-no
Care to elaborate?
kidicarus13
08-02-2012, 12:36
Care to elaborate?
You can't have a Colorado license and a license from another state at the same time. If they discover you do they will cancel your Colorado license.
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 12:56
You can't have a Colorado license and a license from another state at the same time. If they discover you do they will cancel your Colorado license.
Interesting. Is there a reason for this (besides the point system)? I've only gotten 1 ticket my whole life and it was when I was 19 and driving through Nebraska.
So what do I do now? Just shred my MI license? do I need to turn it in to the CO DMV?
Zundfolge
08-02-2012, 13:01
So what do I do now? Just shred my MI license? do I need to turn it in to the CO DMV?
Did you show them the MI license? When I moved here from Kansas I handed them my KS DL and they punched a hole in the corner with a hole punch and handed it back to me (they also contacted Kansas DMV to cancel my KS license).
I'd just leave the MI license in a drawer at home and not worry about it ... nothing will come of it and if they discover you have both then you blame MI for not canceling the license like they were supposed to.
Actually when I got my CO DL they screwed up when they contacted Kansas and ended up canceling my shiny new CO DL ... I drove on it for almost ten years and even got pulled over once and it wasn't a big deal. They discovered the error when I renewed a couple months ago and they fixed it with a quick phone call to either Denver or Topeka (wasn't sure who she was talking to).
clublights
08-02-2012, 13:03
I found this
http://www.testquestionsandanswers.com/drivers-license/colorado.html
Apparently you are supposed to turn it in when ya get the new one.
Which is what I seem to recall I had to do many many moons ago myself.
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 13:14
Hmmmm the girl at the counter never asked for it, and I didn't see anything wrong with it. I guess I'll take Zundfolge's advice... I'll just stick it in my safe until it expires next year.
Okay Colorado, you win this one.... [Tooth]
kidicarus13
08-02-2012, 13:14
Hmmmm the girl at the counter never asked for it, and I didn't see anything wrong with it. I guess I'll take Zundfolge's advice... I'll just stick it in my safe until it expires next year.
Okay Colorado, you win this one.... [Tooth]
PM sent
clublights
08-02-2012, 13:16
I'd think that unless you are runnign around with both and using them both ( get some traffic tix on one some on the other kinda deal)
No one is gunna know or care.
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 13:17
I'd think that unless you are runnign around with both and using them both ( get some traffic tix on one some on the other kinda deal)
No one is gunna know or care.
Yeah.... I'm not that kind of guy.
they just punched a hole in my jersey one over its expiration date and handed it back....fun fact when i moved here i had almost 30 points on my jersey liscense when i got my colorado license all those points were cleared and my insurance was cut by well over 2/3 :D
streetglideok
08-02-2012, 14:30
You can't have a Colorado license and a license from another state at the same time. If they discover you do they will cancel your Colorado license.
He doesn't. Due to this state's handling of the actual card that you carry with your mugshot on it, they leave you with your old license from another state, hole punched, and you recieve a piece of paper from them printed with your new license number, etc for colorado. The old license that is hole punched works as the photo part of your ID, until the new one arrives in the mail, and the paper documentation is the legal info for the state. If you are stopped by a cop, you would show the hole punched card, with the paper documents, until such time the new one arrives in the mail. It's been this way for years, at least it was back in 2004, and when I transfered my license from out of state in 2011, it was exactly the same.
kidicarus13
08-02-2012, 15:08
He doesn't. Due to this state's handling of the actual card that you carry with your mugshot on it, they leave you with your old license from another state, hole punched, and you recieve a piece of paper from them printed with your new license number, etc for colorado. The old license that is hole punched works as the photo part of your ID, until the new one arrives in the mail, and the paper documentation is the legal info for the state. If you are stopped by a cop, you would show the hole punched card, with the paper documents, until such time the new one arrives in the mail. It's been this way for years, at least it was back in 2004, and when I transfered my license from out of state in 2011, it was exactly the same.
The OP's DL isn't "hole punched" and yes that makes a difference. The OP is squared away so let's close this thread.
Rush into it? I've been here for 5 years...
=sarcasm=
ChadAmberg
08-02-2012, 15:37
It really is a nightmare. I should have switched my license immediately, instead I procrastinated. Then I got robbed. My new Jersey county birth certificate was not good enough for the exemptions process, so I had to get a state issued one. Well, they wouldn't give me that without I.d, which was stolen. Took 3 months to get that, and then I had to submit every piece of information I had on myself, even my daughters birth certificate to Denver, and they took to weeks to determine that I am in fact myself and not an illegal immigrant. Having no identification for 4 months was awful, I couldn't even return stuff to Kohl's.
I had to go through the same thing with my useless piece of... err... original Jersey birth certificate. I had to fly back to NJ to do it in person, because they'd only send it through the mail signature required to the address on my drivers license, which wouldn't do me a damn bit of good since I lived most of the way across the country. I got to the office in Trenton when they opened, and I was the last person helped at the end of the day because of the huge line. I just made sure I have like 3-4 copies now so I never have to go back again.
streetglideok
08-02-2012, 18:12
The OP's DL isn't "hole punched" and yes that makes a difference. The OP is squared away so let's close this thread.
Sounds like the counter girl goofed, but normal procedure is, it is punched. Regardless, I am sure the licensing system updated the other state of the change. He isnt running two licenses, regardless. Now, if you had your lucky stars, you could close the thread. Oops guess you dont, hmmm.
kidicarus13
08-02-2012, 18:21
Sounds like the counter girl goofed, but normal procedure is, it is punched. Regardless, I am sure the licensing system updated the other state of the change. He isnt running two licenses, regardless. Now, if you had your lucky stars, you could close the thread. Oops guess you dont, hmmm.
PM sent because you clearly don't know the facts of this situation and this thread has no desire to die.
HoneyBadger
08-02-2012, 19:04
Okay thanks for the help guys, situation is resolved.
Mama Bear
08-03-2012, 13:10
I had to go through the same thing with my useless piece of... err... original Jersey birth certificate. I had to fly back to NJ to do it in person, because they'd only send it through the mail signature required to the address on my drivers license, which wouldn't do me a damn bit of good since I lived most of the way across the country. I got to the office in Trentomr tn when they opened, and I was the last person helped at the end of the day because of the huge line. I just made sure I have like 3-4 copies now so I never have to go back again.
Me too, and I'm getting a passport, I couldn't even fly to get my b.c since you know in order to board a plane, you need I.d...
Byte Stryke
08-03-2012, 15:46
don't need a state issued BC if you have a valid passport
Honey Badger I just laughed my ass off while watching the youtube vid in your sig line [ROFL1] So i became intrigued and started reading about honey badgers.
According to all-knowing wikipedia:
The honey badger possesses an anal pouch which, unusual among mustelids, is reversible, a trait shared with hyenas. The smell of the pouch is reportedly "suffocating", and may assist in calming bees when raiding beehives.
HoneyBadger
08-04-2012, 20:25
Honey Badger I just laughed my ass off while watching the youtube vid in your sig line [ROFL1] So i became intrigued and started reading about honey badgers.
According to all-knowing wikipedia:
I was trying to keep that little fact on the down low... It's people like you that make it so hard to go out in public! My self esteem just dug a hole and jumped in....[Shake]
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