Drivers Ed in Colorado

To complete Driver's Ed in Colorado, you must:
  • Be at least 15 years old.
  • Finish 30 hours of classroom lessons.
  • Finish 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel training, or 12 hours of training with your parent.
  • Log at least 50 hours of driving practice.

For further details and requirements, keep reading!

A DMV-approved driver's education course will teach you everything you need to learn about getting your CO driver's license, avoiding road hazards, and becoming a safer driver.

As mandated by the Graduated License Program, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all prospective drivers between 15 years old to 15 1/2 years old to complete a driver's education course either:

  • In a classroom.
    OR
  • Online.
Pass a DMV Practice Test Online Today!

You can prepare yourself for the written exam by taking a Colorado practice test, and significantly increase your chances of passing!

Colorado Driver's Ed Eligibility Requirements

The Colorado DMV has different requirements for driver's education depending on your age. You must successfully complete a Colorado Driver's Ed course if you are:

  • 15 years old to 15 1/2 years old and applying for a “driver education permit."
  • 15 1/2 years old to 16 years old and applying for a “driver awareness permit." You can also complete 4 hours of a pre-qualification driver awareness program instead of driver's education.

If you are older than 16 years old, the Colorado DMV does NOT require any official driver's education to obtain your CO driver's permit.

You can, however, still benefit from learning defensive driving tips and CO driving laws.

For information about the process of applying for your permit and specific permit restrictions, please visit our CO Driver's Permit and Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) pages.

NOTE: When you visit a local CO DMV office to apply for a permit, you're required to have completed the driver course within the past 6 months.

About Your CO Driver's Ed Course

When you take an approved driver's education course in Colorado, you will:

  • Learn how to be a safe driver.
  • Learn important driving laws.
  • Access valuable information about passing the road skills test.
  • Qualify for a Driver Training Auto Insurance Discounts .
  • Receive a certificate of completion to submit to your local Colorado DMV office.

Your Driver's Ed course will consist of 30 hours of instruction, which can be completed either:

  • In a classroom.
    OR
  • Online.

Types of Driver's Ed Courses in Colorado

Take Driver's Ed Online!

Did you know the Colorado DMV has approved online driver education programs you can take to satisfy the classroom requirement?

Click HEREto learn more!

You can take a driver education course through any approved third-party provider. These classes can be taken either in person or online.

While most CO Driver's Ed schools include behind-the-wheel as part of their course, not all will provide this service. Schedules and fees may also vary depending on which provider you choose.

Contact your chosen Driver's Ed provider directly for more information.

NOTE: If you are younger than 16 1/2 years old, you will need to complete behind-the-wheel driving before applying for your CO driver's license. See “Getting Your CO Instruction Permit" below.

After Driver's Ed - Getting Your Permit

After you complete the 30 hours of classroom or online driver's education, you may apply for your Colorado instruction permit. Visit a Colorado DMV office in person and:

For more information about applying for your Colorado driver's permit, visit our CO Driver's Permit page.

Apply for Your CO Driver's License

Once you receive your CO learner's permit, you must complete one of the following before applying for your CO driver's license (if you're younger than 16 1/2 years old):

  • 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a professional driver.
    OR
  • 12 hours with your parent, guardian, or permit supervisor, if you do not have an approved drivers ed school within 30 miles of your home (must offer at least 20 hours of driving training per week).

If you're under 18 years old, you must also:

  • Accumulate 50 hours of driving practice and submit a completed Drive Time Log Sheet (Form DR 2324).
  • Have held your instruction permit for at least 12 months.

For more details about applying for your Colorado driver's license, please visit our page about Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Colorado.

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Forms

DR 2324
Drive Time Log Sheet
Use this form to track supervised driving hours for teen drivers, required by the DMV to earn a Colorado driver's license.
DR 2460
Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship
Form used to verify liability and guardianship for a minor learning how to drive. Must be signed before a CO Division of Motor Vehicles agent OR notary public.
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