CO New Driver’s License
Becoming a new driver in Colorado takes a few steps necessary to prove your qualifications on the roads, as well as skills behind the wheel. The steps include choosing the most appropriate driver’s license for your Colorado driving, as well as taking the appropriate training courses and passing the appropriate exams. Don’t worry – you aren’t left without a clue, as there are various study guides and practice materials offered to new Colorado drivers that you should definitely look into for preparing most adequately for your exams. All of your needed Colorado forms and publications for getting your driver’s license can be found with 4DMV.com’s help.Which License Should You Apply For?
There are different driver types found within Colorado, each which holds their own type of driver’s license. Those standard, the more typical drivers will carry a Class R license, which is for all types of Colorado vehicles, except for motorcycles without Class M endorsement and commercial vehicles, which require a CDL license.
- If you wish to operate an on-road motorcycle in the state, you will have to first obtain the appropriate Class M endorsement, which can be done in a couple different ways. For all drivers that wish to operate commercial vehicles, a CDL is required, and that goes for certain heavy trucks and utility vehicles as well.
If you are applying for your first-time license in Colorado and are under the age of 18, a driver’s education course is a requirement for taking your driver’s behind-the-wheel exam. Without the appropriate certificate of completion of a state-approved driver’s ed course, you will not be able to receive your driver’s license – as the road exam is not open to you until you have this certificate.
- For new drivers over the age of 18, the rules are slightly different. While you aren’t required to complete driver’s ed, it never hurts to have that extra practice under your belt. In fact, it could greatly increase your driving skills, making it that much easier to obtain your license and pass the driver’s exam.
Studying and practicing for your driver’s tests is definitely no waste of time. With the easy to access resources offered, it can be too simple to ignore studying and practicing for these tests. The first resource you should grab is the Colorado Driver’s Handbook, with a version for each type of driver in English and in Spanish.
Your next greatest resource can come from various third party sources online or even the DMV office located in your county, which offers a print practice test for your written exam. The online sources will offer the practice tests online so you don’t have to visit any DMV offices and can retake the test as much as you please. Please note, however, that these sources typically charge a fee for using the service.
Colorado License Written Exam
If you are under the age of 18 and wish to first obtain your learner’s permit in Colorado, a written exam is required. However, even over the age of 18, whether transferring a license from another state or getting your first driver’s license ever, the written exam is still required regardless of whether there is a learning permit involved. In order to take the written exam, you will want to find out the best times available within your county’s DMV licensing office, and visit the DMV in person.
Once you arrive, you will be asked to complete other tasks to obtain your permit or to proceed to the road exam for your standard Class R driver’s license in Colorado.
- Prove identity, birth, name, residence. You cannot use any notarized copies or photocopies as they are not acceptable proof and will not be accepted by the Colorado DMV.
- Prove Social Security number with SSN card or a statement directly from the Social Security Administration indicating that you have a Social Security number and/or cannot receive the Social Security card.
- Prove your Colorado residence, which can be done with a letter from a company that is addressed to you, or with a form of ID that shows you current address.
- For all applicants under the age of 18, an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship is required before you can move forward. This form is offered online at Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship and must be completed and signed by your parent or guardian.
- Pay $14 Colorado permit fee.
Colorado Road Examination
After you have done everything else, there is nothing left to do but pass your road exam and obtain your standard license. For those under 18, that means holding your driver’s permit for at least 12 months first – with driver’s training also required. If you are ready for your road test, you will definitely have to first get a vehicle, register the vehicle in Colorado, and get proper auto insurance to ensure that you are able to operate the vehicle. Once you get all your documents together proving the vehicle is registered and insured, you can visit the DMV office with your $21 standard license fee, a drive time log sheet if you were required to complete the form and your permit if you had one.
- The only new drivers in Colorado exempt from the road exam are those who are moving in from another state that have had a current license within that other state until moving to Colorado. Otherwise the test is required and will take up about 30 minutes where you will drive a vehicle with the instructor inside guiding your moves to determine how well you adhere to driving in according to the guidelines and rules of the state.
- When you have passed the road exam, you will receive your temp license, which is only valid for the 30 days you are waiting on your photo license, which arrives by mail.