Colorado driver license guide

Minimum age for a learner's permit

15.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver education before the permit (through 2026)

Ages 15-15½: 30-hour driver education course. Ages 15½-16: 4-hour driver awareness program or the 30-hour course. Courses are valid for 6 months.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver education from Jan. 1, 2027 (HB24-1021)

Permit applicants aged 15-17 must complete a 30-hour course; ages 18-21 need the 30-hour course or a 4-hour driver awareness program.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Instruction permit fee

$20.00 (REAL ID permit, includes motorcycle), effective June 30, 2026.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit validity

Three years or until your 21st birthday, whichever comes first.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Who must ride with you

A licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat, holding a valid Colorado license (or military ID plus a valid out-of-state license).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit holding period

12 full months, or until your 18th birthday if that comes first.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Affidavit of Liability (under 18)

A parent, guardian or responsible adult 21+ with a valid Colorado license signs form DR 2460 at the appointment (or a notarized copy), accepting financial responsibility.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Applicants under 21 without government ID

A parent or legal guardian must attend, sign an Affidavit of Identity and bring certified proof of guardianship.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online pre-registration

Required for all ages before the written test and first DMV visit.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

What the written test covers

The Colorado Driver Handbook: road signs, driving under the influence, driving rules, safety rules and legal items.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

@Home knowledge test

The permit test can be taken online on a computer with a webcam; you get 60 minutes. Under 19 needs an adult proxy.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

@Home test cost

$6.50 per attempt ($5 testing fee plus $1.50 card fee); retakes also carry the $11.50 state retest fee.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Written test attempts

Unlimited attempts, but no more than two in one day.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Retaking the written test

No waiting period beyond a limit of two attempts per day.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Written retest fee

A state fee of $11.50 applies each time you retake the written test.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Written test languages

English and Spanish only; the exam can be read aloud, verbally translated by your own translator, or given in ASL.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Vision test

Given at your permit/license appointment; bring glasses or contacts if you wear them.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Appointments

Required at state driver license offices; walk-in availability is limited.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Document rules

Proof of identity and lawful presence, name-change proof, SSN, and Colorado address proofs (2 for REAL ID). Originals or government-certified copies only.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervised driving (under 18)

At least 50 logged hours, 10 at night (62 hours if you use the 30-mile behind-the-wheel exemption).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Behind-the-wheel training

Under 16½: 6 hours with an approved third-party driving school.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Who gives the driving test

Approved third-party driving schools; state offices do not give driving skills tests.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Retaking the driving test

Once per day, starting the day after a failure; a $15.40 state retest fee applies.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Minor license

At 16+, after meeting all requirements; upgrade online or in person.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Minor license passenger limits

First 6 months: only passengers 21+. Next 6 months: one passenger under 21. Siblings and medical emergencies are exceptions.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Minor license curfew

First year: no driving midnight to 5 a.m., with exceptions (parent, school, work, emergency, emancipated).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Phones under 18

Texting or talking on a phone while driving is illegal under 18, except emergency calls to police.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Minor license expiration

Expires 20 days after your 21st birthday; renew on or after the birthday for an adult license.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver license fee

$34.00 (raised from $32.00 on June 30, 2026).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Renewal fee

$34.00 (online renewals add a small convenience fee).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

When you can renew

Any time before the expiration date.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online renewal

Usually allowed if you are 21+, the license expired less than a year ago, and your name and vision have not changed (other conditions apply).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online renewal at 80+

Allowed, but you must upload form DR 2498 showing an eye exam in the past 6 months.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Expired licenses

Expired more than one year: retake both the written and driving tests.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Out-of-state extension

Out-of-state drivers can request a one-year extension (three years for active military) or a reissue.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

REAL ID in Colorado

Colorado has issued REAL ID credentials since 2012; eligible residents (citizens, permanent residents, FAS citizens, CDL holders) get one automatically.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

How to check

A REAL ID credential has a star on the front (black since 2020, gold before).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

REAL ID proofs

Proof of identity, lawful presence and Colorado residency, plus your Social Security number (verified with SSA).Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

REAL ID fee

No extra charge: the $34 license and $20 permit fees are listed under REAL ID license/ID fees.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Who is a resident

You own or run a business in Colorado, work in Colorado, or live there 90 consecutive days.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Transfer deadline

Within 30 days of becoming a resident.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Tests for transfers

No testing with a valid license from any U.S. state, Canada, France, Germany, South Korea or Taiwan.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Your old license

The out-of-state license is voided (hole-punched) at the appointment.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Duplicate fee

$12.30 for a duplicate; $16.40 for each later duplicate.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Ordering a duplicate

Duplicates are issued at an office appointment or by mail (eligible out-of-state REAL ID holders), not online.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Name or address change

Notify the DMV within 30 days.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Card delivery

You get a temporary paper credential at the appointment; the card is mailed within 30 days.Source: dmv.colorado.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

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