Colorado learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Colorado doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
15 years
Fees
$20 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)
Where you take the test
Online or in person

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
Not publishedSources 123
Passing score
80%Sources 123
Time limit
60 minutesSources 123
Permit and test fees
$20 totalColorado's instruction permit is $20 ($23 for a Standard non-REAL ID permit), for minors and adults; the first written test is free, each written retest is $11.50, and the optional @Home online test adds a $5 vendor fee plus $1.50 card fee. The $11.50 state fee on the @Home test page applies to subsequent attempts.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
15 yearsAge 15 to 15y6m: must complete a 30-hour driver education course; 15y6m to 16: a 4-hour driver awareness program or 30-hour driver education course; 16+: no course required. Permit valid 3 years or until age 21.Sources 743
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)Sources 743
Hold your permit
12 months minimumSources 743
Test languages
2 languagesEnglish, SpanishSources 123
Take it online
YesSources 123
If you fail
Each failed written permit test requires an additional $11.50 state retest feeno published waiting period for tests taken at a state office (the handbook's next-business-day wait applies to the drive test). For DR 2252 written exams given at certified commercial driving schools, DMV Rule 8 (1 CCR 204-30, §402.B) allows up to four paper tests per applicant, no more than two per day, a next-day wait if more than 50% of questions are missed on the first attempt, and all further paper tests at a state office after four failures.Sources 123
Vision standard
Vision in either or both eyes must be at least 20/40, with or without corrective lenses (C.R.S42-2-111(1)(a); DR 2402 'Colorado Vision Recommendations – 20/40 or better in either eye with or without corrective lenses').Sources 743

From permit to full license

  • Instruction permit from 15 (driver-ed conditions by age), supervised by a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat.
  • Minors must hold the permit 12 months (or until 18) and submit a signed log of 50 hours of driving including 10 at night; under 16y6m must also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved instructor (12 extra parent-supervised hours may substitute if no school is within 30 miles).
  • Minor license at 16: no passengers under 21 for the first 6 months and no more than one under 21 for the first year (immediate family wearing seat belts and medical emergencies excepted); no driving midnight-5 a.m. for the first year except school or work (signed statement), medical emergency, or emancipated minors.
  • Both limits are lifted when the minor's parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult who signed the affidavit, or a licensed adult 21+ who has held a license at least one year, is in the vehicle.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles website: dmv.colorado.gov.

Sources

  1. dmv.colorado.gov: adult permit
  2. dmv.colorado.gov: home driving knowledge tests
  3. dmv.colorado.gov: faq driver license
  4. dmv.colorado.gov: DR 2337 Jan2025
  5. law.cornell.edu: 1 CCR 204 30 8
  6. dmv.colorado.gov: state dmv fees
  7. dmv.colorado.gov: permits first time driver license
  8. dmv.colorado.gov: DR 2402
  9. leg.colorado.gov: crs2024 title 42

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