Colorado’s Teen Driver’s License and Insurance Requirements

Information on Colorado teen driving rules, insurance requirements, and driver’s licenses.

In Colorado, teen drivers can legally drive but must comply with the state's graduated license program. This program requires teens to complete different licensing steps while driving under specific restrictions before they may obtain a full driver's license.

What Is Colorado's Graduated License Program?

Teen drivers who are at least 14 years, 6 months are eligible to participate in the Colorado graduated driver's license program. This program is similar to other graduated license programs across the United States and helps limit high-risk driving situations for the teen driver while increasing parental involvement and supervision.

Colorado's graduated driver's license program has three steps:

  • Step one: Learner's permit.
  • Step two: Minor driver's license.
  • Step three: Full driver's license.

Learner's Permit Requirements

A learner's permit allows teenagers to drive with adult supervision to gain experience before obtaining a full driver's license.

How Do You Get a Learner's Permit in Colorado?

At age 14 years, 6 months, a teen can begin the licensing process by starting a state-approved driver's education program. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-2-106 (2024).)

Beginning at 15 years old, a person who has completed driver's education may apply for a learner's permit (also called an "instruction permit" in Colorado). The youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must sign an affidavit of liability. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-106, 42-2-108 (2024).)

What Are the Driving Restrictions for a Learner's Permit?

Teens with a learner's permit are not permitted to drive without a licensed driver who's 21 or older in the front passenger seat. Young drivers also may not use a cell phone while driving with a learner's permit. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-2-106 (2024).)

Minor Driver's License Requirements

All persons under 21 years old will be issued a minor driver's license upon completion of a vision test, a written test, a driving test, and the relevant requirements explained below. A parent or guardian also must sign an affidavit of liability for applicants who are under 18 years old. Holders of a minor driver's license are also subject to some restrictions. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-104, 42-2-106, 42-2-108, 42-2-111, 42-2-118 (2024).)

How Do You Get a Minor Driver's License in Colorado?

Youth who obtain a learner's permit at 15 years old must hold the permit for 12 months, complete a driver's education course, and complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training from a licensed instructor (12 hours if completed with a parent). After completing these requirements and logging 50 hours of driving time—which must include ten hours at night—the youth is eligible for a minor driver's license. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-104, 42-2-106 (2024).)

Youth who obtain a learner's permit at 15 and a half years old must also complete 12 months with the permit and 50 hours of driving time (including ten hours at night) but are exempt from completing driver's education. Instead, these youth must complete a four-hour driver awareness program as a prerequisite to obtaining a minor driver's license. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-104, 42-2-106 (2024).)

Youth who are 16 years old to 18 years old are not required to complete driver's education but must complete 50 hours of driving time (with ten hours being at night) and hold the learner's permit for 12 months. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-104, 42-2-106 (2024).)

What Are the Driving Restrictions for a Minor Driver's License?

If you're younger than 18, you may not drive with more than one passenger in the front seat—and all passengers must wear seat belts. Additionally, you may not drive with any passenger under 21 years old for the first six months of holding a minor driver's license. Between six months and one year of holding a minor's driver's license, the driver may have only one passenger under 21 years old who isn't a family member. Exceptions exist for family members and emergencies or if a licensed parent or person over 21 years old is present. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-105.5, 42-4-116 (2024).)

For the first year driving with a minor driver's license, the motorist may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m., unless a licensed parent, legal guardian, or driving instructor is in the vehicle. The time restrictions don't apply if the driver is driving to or from school or work or if there's a medical emergency. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-116 (2024).)

A violation of these restrictions is an infraction and can lead to eight to 24 hours of community service and up to a $50 fine for a first offense. Second and subsequent offenses can result in 16 to 40 hours of community service and up to a $100 fine ($150 for a third offense). (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-116 (2024).)

How Does a Teenager Get a Full Driver's License in Colorado?

Drivers who are 17 or older may obtain full driving privileges if they've completed the requirements of step one (learner's permit) and step two (minor driver's license). But remember that drivers younger than 18 can't have more than one passenger in the front seat. Drivers who are at least 18 but younger than 21 must have a learner's permit and pass a driving test. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-2-104, 42-2-105.5, 42-2-106, 42-2-111 (2024).)

Do Permit Drivers Need Insurance in Colorado?

Before any driver can operate a vehicle in Colorado, the vehicle must be properly insured. In Colorado, the mandatory insurance requirements are at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage per accident. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 10-4-620 (2024).)

Failure to provide proof of valid insurance is a class 1 misdemeanor and can result in ten days to one year in jail. A first offense also carries a minimum $500 fine. The minimum fine for a second offense within five years is $1,000. However, the judge can reduce the fines by as much as one-half if the driver shows valid insurance has been obtained since the violation. Additionally, the judge can order the convicted motorist to perform 40 hours or more of community service. (Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-1.3-501, 42-4-1409, 42-4-1701 (2024).)

If you are a parent or guardian of a teen driver, you might want to contact your insurance provider about their insurance requirements.

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