What Are The Driving Age Requirements In Colorado?

If you are ready to get behind the wheel in Colorado and start your driver's license journey, you may be wondering what are the driving age requirements in Colorado? Coastline Academy takes on that question, so find out the Colorado teen driving rules right here!

Important!

The regulations listed below will only hold true until January 1, 2027. After that date, Colorado's driver's education requirements will change drivers of all ages. More information about HB24-1021 may be found here.

First Up: Instruction Permit

The first step to getting your driver's license in Colorado is to obtain your Instruction Permit. The requirements for this change according to your age as follows:

14.5-15.5 years of age

• Attend and complete an approved 30-hour Driver's Ed course.
• Once you turn 15, you will be allowed to take the written test, which you must pass in order to receive your permit.

15.5-16 years of age

• Attend and complete an approved four-hour Driver Awareness Program OR attend and complete an approved 30-hour Driver Education course.
• Pass the written test

16+ years of age

• Pass the written test

Next Step: Get Your Colorado Driver License

The next step in the process is getting your driver's license. Again, the requirements for this step are based on your age.

If you are under 18 years of age, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Be at least 16 years of age or older to be eligible to take your road test.
• Hold your Colorado Instruction Permit for one full year. This is from the original date the Colorado Instruction Permit was issued to you by the DMV.
• If you are under 16.5 years of age, you must complete six hours of behind-the-wheel driving lessons with a state-certified instructor, which Coastline offers.
• Have a completed and signed (by the parent or legal guardian that signed the Affidavit of Liability for the Instruction Permit) the Drive Time Log sheet with a total of 50 hours of drive time, which includes at least 10 hours of driving at night.
• Pass the Behind-The-Wheel Driver’s Test.

If you are 18 years of age or older, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Pass the written Instruction Permit exam.
• Pass the Behind-The-Wheel Driver’s Test.

Driver's License Laws

Now that you have your driver's license, there are some rules you must follow if you are under the age of 18. One of those rules includes everyone in the vehicle must be wearing a seat belt or child restraint seat system. These other rules also apply, but are emergency exempt if an emergency should arise:

• You can not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
• You may not use a cell phone while driving a vehicle.
• For the first six months of having your driver license, you may not have any passengers under 21 (siblings are exempt).
• Between six months and one year of holding your driver's license, you may have only one passenger under the age of 21 (siblings are exempt).

For Colorado, you can start preparing to hit the road at 14.5 years of age, but can't officially get your Instruction Permit until you are 15 years old. Get ready, as this exciting time in your life is about to begin!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support team. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.