Select Your Free 2023 CO Practice Permit Test to Get Started

Colorado is one of many states that has a graduated driver’s license program (GDL). The state’s GDL program includes the following stages:

• Driver’s education permit – eligible at 15 years old to 15 ½ years old
• Driver’s awareness permit – eligible at 15 ½ years old to 16 years old
• Minor learner’s permit – eligible at 16 years old to 21 years old
• Driver’s license – eligible at 16 years old provided you have held the required permit for 12 months

For any of the state’s three permits:

• Proof of identity. Here are acceptable documents.
• Social Security Number
• Completed Form DR 2460 (Affidavit of Liability And Guardianship)

For your Colorado Driver’s License:

• Form DR 2324 (Drive Time Log Sheet)
• Certificate showing completion of 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driving instructor (only required for those younger than 16 ½ years old)
• Social Security Number
• Proof of Colorado residency. Here are acceptable documents.

In Colorado, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses. The department has offices located throughout the state.

For driver licensing information, call (303) 205-5600 or visit https://dmv.colorado.gov/drivers.

In Colorado, all prospective drivers between the ages of 15 and 15 ½ must complete a driver’s education course either in a classroom or online.

If you have an out-of-state license and are at least 16 years old, you will generally be allowed to transfer your license to a Colorado license without taking a written test or road test.

To transfer your license:

• Visit your local DMV office
• Surrender your out-of-state license
• Show proof of Colorado residency
• Show proof of lawful US presence
• Pay a $26 fee

Have an out-of-state learner’s permit?

If you are 16 years old and have held your out-of-state learner’s permit for at least 1 year, you can take the driving test to obtain your CO driver’s license.

If you do not pass the test, Colorado will give you a Learner’s Permit with credit for the amount of time that you held your out-of-state permit.

The written knowledge test in Colorado covers rules of the road, road signs and safe driving. Questions are taken directly from the state’s driver’s manual. Here are examples of the type of content you may be tested on:

• The five most common mistakes when making turns are failing to signal, not signaling long enough, failing to search for hazards, turning from the wrong lane, and failing to turn properly.

• When driving in rural areas, drivers should take particular care to watch for driveways, farm equipment, railroad crossings that might not be marked, and bridges that are narrow and poorly surfaced.

The test is multiple-choice.

Questions on the test are designed to thoroughly test your knowledge of Colorado’s driving laws not to trick you. Some questions will be harder to answer than others but if you study your driver’s manual carefully and take practice tests you should be able to pass.

There are a total of 25 questions on the Colorado written test and you must get at least 80% correct to pass. That means you need to answer at least 20 questions correctly.

You should study the Colorado Driver’s Handbook extensively. One way to assess your understanding of Colorado’s driving laws and road signs is to take an online practice test.

You can get a free manual right on this website.

Treat studying for the written test just like you would a big high school test – that is to say study every page in your driver’s handbook and ensure you have a good understanding of all the important concepts and information that are presented. To test your knowledge and see if you need to study more in certain areas, take online practice tests. We offer practice tests formatted like the real exam.

Do a general review of the driver’s manual one more time and then take a practice test to ensure a high knowledge level. After passing the practice test, be sure to get plenty of rest and to give yourself plenty of time to get ready and make it to the DMV for your test. You don’t want to feel rushed and stressed when you sit for the exam – so plan ahead.

If your local DMV office accepts appointments, it is recommended that you make one to save yourself the frustration of an extended wait time.

The test will be given at your local DMV office.

• Proof of identity Show. Here are acceptable documents.
• Social Security Number
• Completed Form DR 2460 (Affidavit of Liability And Guardianship)

In addition to passing the written test, you will also need to:

• Pass a vision test
• Pay a $9 Learner’s Permit fee

If you are under 16 ½ years old, you will also need to show a driver’s education completion certificate.

You should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

You will need to pay a $9 Learner’s Permit fee.

The test consists of 25 multiple choice questions. You can take your time answering the questions as there is no time limit. If you come to a difficult question, you may want to skip over it and then come back to it after you have answered easier questions. Remember, you must get at least 20 questions correct to pass. To get yourself familiar with the test format, take one of our practice tests.

You will receive your Learner’s Permit and can begin practicing driving. You must complete 50 hours of driving practice with at least 10 hours at night to qualify to receiver your license. If you are under 16 ½ years old, you must also complete 6 hours of driving with a driving instructor.

You can take the test again.

If you get more than 50% right you can take it again the same day.

You can now begin practicing driving. When driving, you must not have any passengers other than a driving instructor, parent, guardian or licensed adult older than 21 years of age. Other restrictions include: you and all passengers must wear seatbelts and you cannot use your cell phone when driving.

You must complete 50 hours of driving practice with 10 of those hours coming at night. If you are under 16 ½ years old, you must also complete 6 hours of driving practice with a driving instructor.

You must hold your Learner’s Permit for 12 months and complete 50 hours of driving practice plus six hours with an instructor to be eligible for your license. You must also be at least 16 years of age.

Yes, provided you are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, instructor or other licensed driver over the age of 21, you can drive on any Colorado public road or street.

No, you are also required to complete at least 10 hours of driving practice at night.

Yes, you must be accompanied at all times by a licensed driver age 21 or older.

Go to your local DMV office to obtain a duplicate. Be sure to bring proper identification as you did when you applied for the permit in the first place.

The best way to ensure you’ll pass is to practice driving as much as possible. You should also study the Driver’s Manual and be sure to apply the rules when you are driving.

Maneuvers commonly tested for on the driving test include 3-point turns, coming to a full stop, accelerating, driving in traffic, changing lanes, parking, driving defensively and more.

Talk to people who have taken the test in your area and practice the maneuvers they say are on the test, which will likely include a 3-point turn, parking, driving in traffic and more. It can also be beneficial to drive the test route, if possible, to familiarize yourself with the area.

Contact your local DMV office.

Find the closest DMV office that administers driving tests.

Bring all of the following:

• A vehicle
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance
• Learner’s Permit
• Proof of completed behind-the-wheel driving practice

If you are under 18 years of age, you should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

You will be asked to display driving competence by completing a course or series of maneuvers that may include turns, parking, defensive driving and more.

A lack of focus and concentration can be a killer. Pay attention to the road and to what you are doing instead of spending your looking out the corner of your eye at the examiner. If you make a small mistake, don’t let it bother you. Remain calm and focused. Remember, a little mistake isn’t going to cause you to fail but allowing that little mistake to affect your concentration and then lead to more errors can result in a failing score.

• Going over the speed limit
• Not coming to a complete stop
• Driving with improper hand position
• Failing to check mirrors and look in your blind spot when changing lanes
• Failing to signal for all turns

You can retake the test.

You can retake it as soon as the next available appointment time.

You will receive a temporary license that is good for 30 days and that will allow you to start driving immediately. You will then receive your regular license in the mail.

If you are under 18 years of age, your full Colorado driver’s license includes the following restrictions:

No passengers under 21 years old for the first 6 months. Then only one passenger under 21 years old from that six month mark to the 12 month mark.

No driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. until you have had your license for one year – exceptions include having a parent or guardian with you, having a licensed driver age 21 or older with you, it’s an emergency or you have a signed statement from your school or employer

All Colorado drivers must have liability and no-fault insurance and must carry proof of that insurance with them when driving.

Colorado law has set the following minimum liability insurance requirements: $25,000 per person for bodily injury; $50,000 per accident for bodily injury; and $15,000 per accident for property damage.

You can renew your license by any of the following methods: online, by mail

Renew your license at your local DMV office, by mail or online.

Yes, you will be required to take a vision test.

The state’s minimum vision standard is 20/40 and if that limit is not met you will need to see a vision specialist for correction and recommendations at your expense. If the test shows that you need corrective lenses to meet the minimum standards, your license will show this restriction.