Steamboat Springs Colorado Online Driver Education and Steamboat Springs Colorado Licensing Procedures
The process of learning to drive can be a challenging one, and our job is to try to make it as simple for you as possible. The State of Steamboat Springs Colorado congratulates you on starting the process of applying for your Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit or first Steamboat Springs Colorado driver license!
Steamboat Springs Colorado has a graduated driver license program for Steamboat Springs Colorado drivers ages 15-18, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you don't hit any snags while applying for your Steamboat Springs Colorado driver's license. So, here we go!
Steamboat Springs Colorado Learner Permit or Steamboat Springs Colorado Driver Education Permit
The function of a Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit is simple: to enable you to practice driving provided you have someone 21 years or older in the seat next to you as you learn.
You can apply for a Steamboat Springs Colorado instructional permit, otherwise known as a Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit, when you're 15 or 16. To be eligible at 15, you'll need to enroll in a Steamboat Springs Colorado state-approved driver education program. At 15 and a half, you can apply for your Steamboat Springs Colorado instructional permit if you complete a four hour driver awareness course. If you don't want to bother with these classes, then you'll have to wait until you turn 16 to apply for a Steamboat Springs Colorado instructional permit.
There are some things you should know about applying for your permit:
- When applying, you must fill out form DR2460, available on the Steamboat Springs Colorado DMV website
- No matter what age, you'll need the necessary identification to apply
- A Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit is valid for 3 years
- After passing a vision test and written test with a score of 80% or higher, you will be rewarded with a Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit!
Steamboat Springs Colorado Teen Provisional License or Steamboat Springs Colorado Driver Awareness Permit
Once you turn 18 or have had your Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit at least six months (whichever comes first), you are ready to apply for your Steamboat Springs Colorado Driver Awareness Permit, the next-highest class of driver's license. In order to apply for your Steamboat Springs Colorado Driver Awareness Permit, you'll need:
- a 30 hour classroom study course (classroom or online)
- an approved Steamboat Springs Colorado driver education course lasting at least 6 hours.
- a total of 50 hours driving time (20 hours completed with a parent or guardian)
- At least 10 of those hours must be completed at night
A list of approved Steamboat Springs Colorado driver education courses can be found here. However, if you are not able to find a Steamboat Springs Colorado approved school offering at least 20 hours within 30 miles of your residence, then you may substitute 12 additional hours of driving instruction with a parent or guardian.
Before you can apply for your Steamboat Springs Colorado provisional driver license, you must also completely fill out the necessary forms and complete a 4 hour Steamboat Springs Colorado approved driver awareness program. Keep in mind that you must hold this Steamboat Springs Colorado Driver Aware license for 12 months before applying for your state of Steamboat Springs Colorado driver license.
After you've scheduled your Steamboat Springs Colorado road test, bring the required fee to your local Steamboat Springs Colorado DMV. You must provide your own car for the test. During the test, you will have to make right and left turns, signal properly, use marked and unmarked traffic lanes, back up, make a quick stop, park, and adequately perform a three-point turn. Before the test, your car will be inspected by an examiner to make sure it is in safe operating condition with the required equipment.
Steamboat Springs Colorado Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
As a new driver, your safety and that of others is our top priority. There are several restrictions on both Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permits and Steamboat Springs Colorado driver awareness permits we need to make you aware of. Keep in mind that if you are convicted of violating any of the following rules, you may receive points on your Steamboat Springs Colorado driver's license or even face license suspension.
First of all, any driver under 18 is not allowed to drive between 12AM and 5 AM unless you are:
- an emancipated minor
- accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person over 21 who has at least 1 year of driving experience
- driving because of an emergency
- going to or from your workplace, a school sponsored or religious event.
Also, Steamboat Springs Colorado drivers under 18 can't ride with any passenger under 21 for six months after receiving their Steamboat Springs Colorado license. After a year of driving experience, you can drive with more than one passenger under 21 or more than one passenger sitting up front at any time. And of course, everyone must wear seatbelts at all times.
Steamboat Springs Colorado Auto Insurance Steamboat Springs Colorado Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Steamboat Springs Colorado drivers license, we know you'll be anxious to get on the road. But there's one more important detail: insurance. Any vehicle registered in Steamboat Springs Colorado must be covered by liability insurance. If you are found to be driving without Steamboat Springs Colorado mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined a substantial amount or receive points on your Steamboat Springs Colorado driving record (which in turn can make your insurance more costly). If you are involved in an accident and cannot provide proof of insurance, your Steamboat Springs Colorado learner's permit or Steamboat Springs Colorado provisional license could be suspend.
The minimum coverage is $25,000 for personal injury and $50,000 for total injury, and $15,000 for property damage. For more information, see the State of Steamboat Springs Colorado website on insurance requirements.
Steamboat Springs Colorado Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
Because we understand the importance of driving as a social activity for young people, it's especially important that we fill you in on the Steamboat Springs Colorado drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of a Steamboat Springs Colorado DUI, you face the following:
- Imprisonment from 5 days to 1 year
- A fine of $600 to $1000
- A public service term of 48 to 96 hours
- Your license will also be suspended for 9 months
- You will receive 12 points on your Steamboat Springs Colorado driver's license. Further Steamboat Springs Colorado DUI or DWI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Steamboat Springs Colorado license suspension or even Steamboat Springs Colorado license revocation.
In 2009, Steamboat Springs Colorado instituted a ban on text messaging for drivers of all ages. In addition, Steamboat Springs Colorado teen drivers 18 or under are prohibited from using cell phones or wireless devices while driving.
Steamboat Springs Colorado Online Driver Education
To apply for your Steamboat Springs Colorado Driver Awareness license, you must complete a 30 hour classroom study course (classroom or online), and a total of 50 hours driving time (20 hours completed with a parent or guardian), which must include at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. A list of approved Steamboat Springs Colorado driver education courses can be found here. However, remember that if there isn't a Steamboat Springs Colorado approved school offering of at least 20 hours within 30 miles of your residence, then 12 additional hours of driving instruction may be completed with a parent or guardian.