How to Get a Colorado Drivers License
Let’s face it: all the excitement aside, getting your Colorado drivers license can be pretty overwhelming. I Drive Safely is here to simplify things for you, giving you all the information you need to get through the licensing process without missing anything. Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting your Colorado instruction permit and Colorado drivers license.
Getting Your Colorado Learners Permit
- How old do you have to be to get your permit in Colorado? You must be at least 15 years old to earn a Colorado learner's permit, and at least 14 years and 10 months old to start a drivers education course and get your Colorado drivers license.
- You must go to the DMV and provide 2 forms of accepted identification:
- These can include a birth certificate, Social Security card, or proof of Colorado residence address. Please visit the Colorado DMV website for a full list of acceptable forms of ID.
- You must present a completed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship.
- If you are applying for a:
- Driver Education Permit, you must also present an affidavit of completion of a driver education classroom course.
- Driver Awareness Permit, you must provide proof that you have successfully completed a driver awareness program.
- Once you do all of these things, you must pass a vision screening test, a physical aptitude analysis and a written DMV exam.
- Please be aware: Applications and written testing are on a first-come, first-served basis so be sure to allow yourself ample time before closing to complete the process. No written test will be given after 4:15 p.m. at those offices with 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours of operation.
How to Get Your Colorado Drivers License
- You must complete behind the wheel training (only required for teens younger than 16 years and 6 months old).
- This may be done by attending an approved school offering 20 or more hours of driver education training per week, which includes both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
- If there is no approved school within 30 miles of the your home, you may instead complete 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a parent, guardian, or alternate permit supervisor. (This means that if you complete our online Colorado drivers ed course you may be able to earn your driver education permit without ever setting foot inside a classroom!)
- In addition, all minors under the age of 18 are required to present a written log indication that they have completed 50 hours of drive-time practice with the adult who signed their Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship or with an alternate supervisor. At least 10 of the 50 hours must be at night.
- You must pass the DMV drivers exam to get your Colorado drivers license!
- Drive tests are by appointment only, so please allow sufficient time to complete the test and any processing. The last appointment for a drive test is 4:00 p.m. at those offices with 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours of operation.
