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Driver Education
Getting your license is no longer as simple as getting a permit on a Monday, having an older buddy or parent whirl you around a parking lot in a four-speed stick shift for a couple of days, and then taking the driving test on Friday, with a license in tow for a weekend joyride.
No, those days are long gone because most states, including Colorado, have become more cautious and are taking an intensive approach to ensuring young license seekers are fully educated on all facets of driving.
In Colorado, all new drivers under 16 must complete an approved driver education course before they can be issued a permit. The state of Colorado allows three options for obtaining behind-the-wheel training, depending on the availability of options in your area: 1). Twenty hours of training from a permanent business, plus an additional 30 hours of parent-supervised driving; 2). Fifty hours of training by your parent or legal guardian; 3). Six hours of training given by an instructor employed by a state-approved driver education course, plus an additional 44 hours of parent-supervised driving.
Teens may begin the training program at age 14 ½ , and will be eligible for the learner’s permit at age 15 once they have completed and passed the classroom portion. After the student has received the permit, they must hold the permit for 12 months and complete the required behind the wheel training described above. Students and parents interested in online learning must be 15 ½ before getting their learner’s permit.
Parent-taught driver training has become very popular. Once purchased, a state-approved driver’s education course guides the student and the parent from beginning to end. With such courses, teaching your teen to drive just might be easier than it sounds. By following the program, students can learn all state rules, laws, and driving techniques needed to be a safe first-time driver.
Top The Basics
The state of Colorado issues three types of learner permits designed for minors. Each asks for permit-specific documents, but to apply for any one of them requires some basic interchangeable aspects:
- An official birth certificate is needed or a valid exception from the state's acceptable identification list.
- A Social Security number, although it does not have to appear on any final copies of a permit or license.
- If you're under the age of 18, a completed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship form is necessary, with a witnessed signature by a notary or motor vehicle officer. This form essentially puts the burden of your driving mishaps (if any) on your parents. If not the parent, court-ordered papers and/or a Power of Attorney should be presented with the affidavit.
- Pass a written exam, with a score of 80% or higher. The multiple-choice test covers all components of the driving process including rules of the road, sign recognition, emergency procedures, and safe driving tips. All of the material on the test is taken directly from the Colorado Driver Handbook.
- Pass a vision check.
Top Permit Types
Driver Education Permit
This permit is offered to minors between ages 15 and 15 and 6 months. It is about the earliest document you can finagle when cresting the almost-legal driving age. The big prerequisite here is a filled out Affidavit of Enrollment in Driver Education, which is with the Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship form. This lets the folks at the driver license office know that you've signed up for a driver training course. These programs are offered by various third-party companies accredited by the state.
Limitations: Until you turn 16, you can only drive with the course instructor or the person(s) who signed the liability affidavit. The restraint ends at 16 and you can operate a vehicle with a licensed driver over 21 years of age.
Driver Awareness Permit
A permit designed for those ages 15 and 6 months to 16 with a specific precondition of supplying proof of having attended a four-hour, state-approved Driver Awareness Course. The course is also provided by numerous third-party businesses.
Limitations: Until you turn 16, you can only drive with the person(s) who signed the liability affidavit. The restraint ends at 16 and you can operate a vehicle with a licensed driver over 21 years of age.
Minor Instruction Permit
The general permit most people are familiar with, available to those between the ages of 16 and 21. To apply, you will only need to bring the information described above under "The Basics."
Limitations:
You can only drive with licensed individuals over the age of 21.Top Hurry Up and Wait or Practice Makes Perfect
With all the driver training available and recommended by the state you would think you could hold onto the permit for a few learning jaunts around town and then head in and take the driver test. But this is where Colorado puts the clamps down and becomes strict in enforcing the "learning" phase of driving with the Graduated License Law.
The law states that any minor under the age of 18 must hold one of the above permits for at least 12 months before attempting to upgrade to a license. So, you will have plenty of parking lot time with the parents. A driver log must also be maintained and presented at a driver license office when applying for a license, showing a minimum of 50 hours behind the wheel, with at least 10 of those hours being at night.
Note: All learner's permits expire after three years and the fee is $10.60.
For more teen-related driving information, see First-time Drivers, Practice Tests, Teen Drivers, and Drivers Training on this site.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
What is the legal driving age in my state?
See the chart below to determine the legal driving age in your state. Keep in mind that most states have additional steps to complete prior to obtaining your drivers license or drivers permit. For example, find out whether your particular state requires a drivers ed class for teen drivers or first time drivers. These drivers education requirements will vary from state-to-state, so refer to your local DMV Web site for specific requirements. Your local DMV Web site will also be a good source for downloading a practice test, any requisite administrative forms, study guides and manuals. These materials will make the quest for a learners permit and drivers license much easier. The following chart specifies the age at which one may be fully privileged to drive in a particular state.
Read more >>What are the age requirements to get a learners permit?
See the chart below for the age requirements in the various states for obtaining your learners permit. Note that most states require teens to complete a driver's ed course before obtaining a learner's permit or drivers license, and several states will allow you to obtain a drivers permit sooner if you take an appropriate driver's ed class.Look to your particular state's DMV Web site to find out about any additional steps necessary for obtaining a permit and eventually your driver's license. The individual state's driver's manual often provides an excellent resource for the various requirements and will provide the information you will need regarding testing, forms, fees, and driver's ed details.The Age Requirements for Getting a Learner's Permit by State...
Read more >>How many questions do I have to get right to pass drivers permit test?
Check the grid below for your state’s requirements. It will tell you how many questions – or, how high a percentage of questions – you must answer correctly in order to pass your drivers permit test.Every state requires applicants to take a written test (or, knowledge test, as it’s often called) at some point, whether it’s to obtain a learners permit, a junior or provisional license, or a full drivers license. The results of this test help examiners determine whether or not you have a sufficient knowledge and understanding of driving-related matters like the rules of the road and traffic signs and markers. In order to make sure you do have that knowledge and understanding – and can prove it to examiners – it’s best to actually prepare for the test. Many states require applicants to complete a driver education or training course, but other ways to get ready for the drivers permit exam include studying your driver handbook and taking a p...
Read more >>How long must I hold a learners permit before I can apply for my license?
The time requirements vary from state to state; check the grid below.Before you commit the grid to memory (or, at least your state’s part of it), keep these factors in mind: States employ graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs, and within these programs many states require more than one kind of learners permit. This grid deals mostly with each state’s first learners permit, but notes other kinds of drivers permits (like provisional licenses) when possible. The majority of states allow drivers 18 years old and older to apply for their drivers license the same day they pass their written exams – or, very soon after. This isn’t always the case, so be sure to get details from your examiner when you go in for the written test. This grid focuses on the amount of time you have to wait between obtaining your learners permit and obtaining your drivers license; it doesn’t focus on any other requirements, such as completing a drivers ed course. Be sure to che...
Read more >>How do I apply for a temporary license?
There are huge differences from state to state about this matter, so it's impossible to give a single answer. You'll need to visit your state's drivers license agency site to get this information, or call the department directly (you can find the number on the site).No matter where you live, you'll need to pass a written exam that will test your driving knowledge. The information on this test varies, but it will likely include questions about driving laws in your state, situational driving, parking requirements, road signs, and other driving safety matters. Additionally, you'll need pass a vision test, and complete a permit application. Your parents or guardians may have to be with you at the license branch office.Your state dictate the minimum age needed to take this test. And, you may need to be enrolled - or have completed - a driver education class to be eligible for the exam.
Read more >>
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