COLORADO DRIVERS ED ONLINE

Getting a Driver’s License in Colorado: The Basics

Taking your Colorado 30-hour driver education course online with DriverEdToGo helps you prepare for your first permit while fitting your lessons around school and everyday life. We offer the course through TeenDrivingCourse.com, our Colorado DMV-approved online program, Colorado Driving School License No. 9423.

Colorado teenagers can apply for an instruction permit starting at 15 and earn a driver’s license starting at 16 after completing the required education, practice, training, and tests.

Here’s the road ahead at a glance:

• Instruction permit: Available at 15 with an approved 30-hour driver education course. Through December 31, 2026, applicants age 15½ to under 16 may complete an approved 4-hour driver awareness program instead.
• Driver’s license: Available at 16 after holding a permit for 12 months, completing the required practice and training, and passing the driving test.
• First-year passenger and nighttime restrictions: Generally end after the first year with a license or when you turn 18, whichever comes first.

Planning to get your permit in 2027? Beginning January 1, 2027, applicants ages 15 through 17 must complete an approved 30-hour driver education course before receiving a permit. Plan your course completion around your permit application date because the education certificate has a limited validity period.

How to Complete Your Colorado 30-Hour Driver Education Course Online and Get Licensed

Step 1: Complete Your Colorado DMV Pre-Registration

Start with Colorado DMV pre-registration. This lets you provide your information before your first DMV visit and receive a confirmation for the application process.

When you enroll with DriverEdToGo, we’ll ask for your confirmation number. Our compliance team verifies your information before your course begins.

Save the confirmation PDF you receive from the DMV. You’ll need it for your appointment, along with your required documents. Pre-registration does not schedule your DMV appointment.

Already have a Colorado ID, permit, or license? The DMV says you do not need to pre-register again. Contact our support team about the information needed to match your existing record to your course enrollment.

Complete Your Colorado DMV Pre-Registration →

Step 2: Take Your 30-Hour Driver Education Course

Your education requirement depends on your age and when you apply for your permit.

For permit applications through December 31, 2026:

• Age 15 to under 15½: Complete an approved 30-hour driver education course.
• Age 15½ to under 16: Complete either an approved 30-hour course or a 4-hour driver awareness program.
• Age 16 or older: A driver education course is not currently required before obtaining a permit.

Beginning January 1, 2027, applicants under 18 must complete the approved 30-hour course. Additional education requirements also begin for applicants ages 18 through 20, explained below.

Our online course covers the full 30 hours, including:

• Colorado traffic laws.
• Road signs and signals.
• Right-of-way rules.
• Defensive driving.
• Sharing the road.
• Driving in different weather and road conditions.

Study on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Your lesson time is tracked automatically, and your progress saves so you can take breaks or switch devices without losing your place.

After successful completion, you’ll receive your Certificate of Completion, and our compliance team processes your completion through Colorado’s DRIVE system.

Plan your permit appointment around your certificate’s validity. Colorado DMV states that driver education certificates are valid for six months. Check the expiration information on your completion documents before scheduling.

Step 3: Get Your Colorado Instruction Permit

Once you meet the age and education requirements, complete the knowledge test and permit application process.

Prepare to:

• Provide your DMV pre-registration confirmation or existing Colorado credential information.
• Bring your course completion confirmation when required.
• Provide the required identity, residency, and other application documents.
• Have a parent, guardian, or other qualifying adult complete the Affidavit of Liability if you’re under 18.
• Pass the knowledge test and vision screening.
• Have your photograph and fingerprints taken.
• Pay the applicable permit fee.

Colorado offers an official at-home knowledge test option as well as in-office testing. If you test online, bring your passing confirmation to your DMV appointment. Completing your course or passing the test alone does not issue your permit.

Your permit allows supervised driving only. Follow Colorado’s rules for an eligible supervisor, including the requirements for a parent, guardian, instructor, or authorized adult. An alternate permit supervisor must be at least 21 and properly appointed by the person who signed the Affidavit of Liability.

An instruction permit never allows you to drive alone.

Step 4: Build Your Skills Behind the Wheel

Your permit gives you time to turn what you learned online into experience on the road.

To earn your license before 18, you’ll need to:

• Hold your instruction permit for a full 12 months.
• Log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
• Complete the applicable professional behind-the-wheel training requirement.

If you apply for your license before age 16½, you generally need six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction from an approved driving school.

A distance exemption may apply if you live more than 30 miles from an approved full-time driving school. Eligible applicants can substitute 12 additional supervised practice hours and must provide the required documentation.

Our online course covers driver education. Professional driving lessons and supervised practice are separate.

Use your practice time to gain experience with parking, intersections, lane changes, and different traffic conditions. As your skills develop, work with your supervisor on challenges such as changing weather, hills, and reduced nighttime visibility.

Step 5: Pass Your Driving Test and Get Your License

Once you’re at least 16 and have completed the applicable permit, practice, and training requirements, schedule your driving test with a Colorado DMV-approved third-party testing provider.

Book directly with the testing provider—the DMV does not schedule these driving tests.

After you pass, complete the DMV’s license upgrade process and pay the applicable fees. Eligible applicants can upgrade online; others must visit a driver license office. Once your license is issued, you can drive independently while following the restrictions for new teen drivers.

Colorado Teen Driving Laws You Should Know

License Rules for Your First Year

Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing rules limit passengers and nighttime driving for drivers under 18 during their first year with a license.

Generally:

• Nighttime driving: You cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
• First six months: You cannot carry passengers under 21 unless an exception applies.
• Second six months: You may carry no more than one passenger under 21 unless an exception applies.
• Front seat: No more than one passenger may ride in the front seat.

Exceptions apply for certain immediate family members, medical emergencies, and qualifying adult supervision. Nighttime exceptions also include certain school- and work-related travel with the required documentation.

Plan rides around these restrictions, especially when driving friends or returning home late. The first-year passenger and nighttime restrictions end after 12 months or when you turn 18, whichever comes first.

Colorado’s Cell Phone Rules

Colorado generally requires adult drivers to use a hands-free accessory when using a mobile electronic device while driving. The rules for teens are stricter.

Drivers under 18 generally cannot use a cellphone while driving, even hands-free. Limited exceptions apply, including emergency situations.

Before leaving, set your route, silence notifications, and put your phone away. If you need to use it, park somewhere safe first.

What Changes Under House Bill 24-1021?

Beginning January 1, 2027, Colorado expands education requirements for new instruction permit applicants:

• Ages 15 through 17: Complete an approved 30-hour driver education course.
• Ages 18 through 20: Complete either an approved 30-hour driver education course or an approved 4-hour driver awareness program.

The new education requirements do not apply to drivers who receive their permits before January 1, 2027, even if they take the driving test afterward.

The existing requirements for permit holding, supervised practice, and applicable behind-the-wheel instruction remain in place.

Colorado Insurance Requirements

Colorado requires vehicle owners to carry liability insurance. The minimum coverage limits are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person in an accident.
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all people in an accident.
• $15,000 for property damage in an accident.

These are minimum limits, and families may choose higher coverage. Before your teen starts driving, ask your insurer how your policy covers the permit stage and when the teen needs to be added as a licensed driver.

Why Colorado Families Choose DriverEdToGo

Completing your Colorado 30-hour driver education course online should fit your schedule and leave you clear about what comes next.

Here’s what you get with DriverEdToGo:

• Colorado DMV-approved education. We offer the course through TeenDrivingCourse.com, our Colorado DMV-approved online program, Colorado Driving School License No. 9423.
• The full 30-hour course. Complete your online lessons with automatic lesson-time tracking.
• Pre-registration verification. Our compliance team checks your DMV information before your course begins.
• Completion processing. Receive your Certificate of Completion while our team processes your completion through Colorado’s DRIVE system.
• Access across devices. Study on your computer, tablet, or smartphone without losing your place.
• Automatic progress saving. Complete lessons in manageable sessions and return where you left off.
• Free PrepWizard access. Review Colorado-specific practice questions, take timed practice exams, and revisit difficult topics with Focus Mode.
• Customer support. Get help by phone, email, or live chat.

Prepare for Your Colorado Knowledge Test with PrepWizard

Colorado’s knowledge test checks your understanding of the rules you’ll use on the road. PrepWizard gives you a way to practice applying what you’ve learned before taking the official exam.

DriverEdToGo enrollment includes free access to PrepWizard, our online practice platform.

With PrepWizard, you can:

• Review Colorado-specific practice questions.
• Take timed practice exams.
• Use Focus Mode to revisit challenging topics.
• Track your practice scores.
• Study on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Use PrepWizard alongside the Colorado Driver Handbook. Review right-of-way rules, road signs, and how to adjust your driving for changing weather and road conditions.

PrepWizard is a study tool. Its questions are not the official exam questions, and practice results do not guarantee a passing score.

Colorado Driver’s License FAQ