Thornton Colorado Online Driver Education and Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado congratulates you on starting the process of applying for your Thornton Colorado learner's permit or first Thornton Colorado driver license!
Thornton Colorado has a graduated driver license program for Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado driver's license. So, here we go!
Thornton Colorado Learner Permit or Thornton Colorado Driver Education Permit
The function of a Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado instructional permit, otherwise known as a Thornton Colorado learner's permit, when you're 15 or 16. To be eligible at 15, you'll need to enroll in a Thornton Colorado state-approved driver education program. At 15 and a half, you can apply for your Thornton 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 Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado DMV website
- No matter what age, you'll need the necessary identification to apply
- A Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado learner's permit!
Thornton Colorado Teen Provisional License or Thornton Colorado Driver Awareness Permit
Once you turn 18 or have had your Thornton Colorado learner's permit at least six months (whichever comes first), you are ready to apply for your Thornton Colorado Driver Awareness Permit, the next-highest class of driver's license. In order to apply for your Thornton Colorado Driver Awareness Permit, you'll need:
- a 30 hour classroom study course (classroom or online)
- an approved Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado driver education courses can be found here. However, if you are not able to find a Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado provisional driver license, you must also completely fill out the necessary forms and complete a 4 hour Thornton Colorado approved driver awareness program. Keep in mind that you must hold this Thornton Colorado Driver Aware license for 12 months before applying for your state of Thornton Colorado driver license.
After you've scheduled your Thornton Colorado road test, bring the required fee to your local Thornton 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.
Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado learner's permits and Thornton 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 Thornton 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, Thornton Colorado drivers under 18 can't ride with any passenger under 21 for six months after receiving their Thornton 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.
Thornton Colorado Auto Insurance Thornton Colorado Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado must be covered by liability insurance. If you are found to be driving without Thornton Colorado mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined a substantial amount or receive points on your Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado learner's permit or Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado website on insurance requirements.
Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of a Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado driver's license. Further Thornton Colorado DUI or DWI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Thornton Colorado license suspension or even Thornton Colorado license revocation.
In 2009, Thornton Colorado instituted a ban on text messaging for drivers of all ages. In addition, Thornton Colorado teen drivers 18 or under are prohibited from using cell phones or wireless devices while driving.
Thornton Colorado Online Driver Education
To apply for your Thornton 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 Thornton Colorado driver education courses can be found here. However, remember that if there isn't a Thornton 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.