RULES OF THE ROAD
(State of Colorado)
2. Types of instruction permits and licenses
INSTRUCTION PERMITS: An Instruction Permit allows limited driving privileges for people learning to drive. Regardless of age, if you are driving with an Instruction Permit, you must be accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older, who holds a valid Colorado license, and is riding in the seat beside you.
AGE GROUPS: See the following categories for specific requirements and restrictions other than those listed previously.
MINOR AGE GROUP - 15 years to 21 years of age
DRIVER EDUCATION PERMIT - available to customers 15 years to 15 years, 6 months.
- Expires 3 years after issuance.
- Must present a completed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship and a completed Affidavit of Completion of a Driver Education Classroom Course or BTW indicating the minor has completed and passed the classroom portion of a state-approved driver education course within 6 months of applying for their instruction permit.
- While holding this type of permit, you may only drive with your driver education instructor or the person(s) who signed the Affidavit of Liability (DR2460) until you are 15 years, 6 months. At 15 years, 6 months, you may drive only with the person(s) who signed the affidavit of Liability (DR 2460) until you are 18. This restriction is automatically lifted when you reach 18 years of age.
- While you are under 18, if the person(s) who signed the DR 2460 does not hold a valid Colorado driver’s license, they may appoint an Alternate Permit Supervisor to supervise you while you are driving. The Alternate Permit Supervisor must hold a valid Colorado Driver’s License and be 21 years of age or older. Drive time with an Alternate Permit Supervisor will count toward the 50 hour total required on the log sheet. The person(s) who signed the DR 2460 may also allow any person 21 years of age or older, who holds a valid license, to supervise you while you are driving but that driving time does not count toward the 50 hour total required on the log sheet.
DRIVER AWARENESS PERMIT - available to customers 15 years, 6 months to 16 years of age.
- Expires 3 years after issuance.
- Must present a completed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship (DR2460) and documentation indicating completion of an approved Driver Awareness Program.
- While holding this type of permit you may only drive with the person(s) who signed the Affidavit of Liability (DR 2460). This restriction is automatically lifted when you reach 18 years of age.
- While you are under 18, if the person(s) who signed the DR 2460 does not hold a valid Colorado driver’s license, they may appoint an Alternate Permit Supervisor to supervise you while you are driving. The Alternate Permit Supervisor must hold a valid Colorado Driver’s License and be 21 years of age or older. Drive time with an Alternate Permit Supervisor will count toward the 50 hour total required on the log sheet. The person(s) who signed the DR 2460 may also allow any person 21 years of age or older, who holds a valid license, to supervise you while you are driving but that driving time does not count toward the 50 hour total required on the log sheet.
MINOR INSTRUCTION PERMIT - available to customers 16 years to 21 years of age.
- Expires 3 years after issuance.
- Minors under 18 must present a completed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship (DR2460).
- While holding this type of permit, you may only drive with the person(s) who signed the Affidavit of Liability (DR 2460) until you are 18.
- While you are under 18, if the person(s) who signed the DR 2460 does not hold a valid Colorado driver’s license, they may appoint an Alternate Permit Supervisor to supervise you while you are driving. The Alternate Permit Supervisor must hold a valid Colorado Driver’s License and be 21 years of age or older. Drive time with an Alternate Permit Supervisor will count toward the 50 hour total required on the log sheet. The person(s) who signed the DR 2460 may also allow any person 21 years of age or older, who holds a valid license, to supervise you while you are driving but that driving time does not count toward the 50 hour total required on the log sheet.
MINOR LICENSE - Expires 20 days after the 21st birthday.
- Minors under the age of 18 must hold an instruction permit for at least TWELVE MONTHS and be at least 16 years of age before obtaining a Driver's license.
- Minors age 15 to 15/6 months, issued their original permit on or after April 23, 2007, must complete behind-the wheel (BTW) training prior to applying for their driver’s license. The BTW must be either 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved driver ed instructor or 12 hours of BTW training with their parent/guardian/alternate permit supervisor, if there isn’t an approved driving school, offering at least 20 hours of BTW training per week, within 30 miles of the permit holder’s residence.
- Minors under 18 must present a completed and signed Drive Time Log sheet when applying for their Driver's license.
- Minors 18 and older do not have to hold an instruction permit for any required amount of time but do have to first purchase an instruction permit before taking a drive test.
- For restrictions on minors under 18 driving on the job, visit the Department of Labor.
ADULT AGE GROUP - 21 years of age and over
INSTRUCTION PERMIT - expires 3 years after issuance. Adults do not have to hold an instruction permit for any required amount of time but do have to first purchase an instruction permit before taking a drive test.
ADULT LICENSE - expires on the birthday 5 years from the year of issue.
TEMPORARY DOCUMENT: Driver's license offices no longer have instant photo equipment. Driver's license offices will issue a paper temporary license, permit or ID card, which is valid for 30 days, while your photo is processed. Because you will receive your photo document in the mail, it is important that your address is correct. If you do not receive your photo document in the mail after 30 days, you should report it to the office where you originally applied.
MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT: See the Motorcycle Handbook.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS: Any Colorado resident not holding a valid license may apply for a Colorado Identification Card.See Resident, § 1.1.) Per C.R.S. 42-2-114 and 42-2-302, Colorado law prohibits a person from holding both a valid driver's license and an identification card.
- You must present identification establishing age, identity and lawful presence in the United States. (See documents listed under Obtaining a Colorado Driver's license § 1.3)
- If you are 60 or older, there is no charge for the ID card.
- Expiration:
- Minor ID cards expire on the 21st birthday.
- Adult ID cards expire on the birthday, 5 years from the year of issue.