Colorado Driver's Education

To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new drivers between the ages of 15 and 16 must complete a Colorado driver's education course. Residents 16 and older, on the other hand, are not required to take any driver education classes. A driver's education course can help new drivers by teaching them proper vehicle operation and safe driving techniques. Overall, students can take driver's ed online or in person. Drivers must accumulate at least six hours of driving time to complete the program, either through an approved driver's ed school or under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Students will receive a certificate of completion at the end of such courses, which is required for motorists under the age of 16 to apply for their provisional license to drive.

Eligibility

In Colorado, only drivers between the ages of 15 and 16 must take driver education. As a result, young residents between the ages of 16 and 21 must pass a written test administered by the state's Department of Revenue (DOR) to obtain their driver's license. Furthermore, residents aged 15 and a half to 16 may opt for a four-hour driver awareness course instead of a driver education course. They must, however, pass the written driving skills test to obtain a driver's license.

Online And In-Class Driving Education

Residents who want to take a driver's education course can do so either online or in person. In-person driver's ed students benefit from one-on-one interaction with their peers and instructor. Students can also easily ask questions and engage in discussions with their peers. On the other hand, drivers who choose to take driver education online will benefit in other ways. For example, online students can complete their 30-hour course at their own pace and at any time. This method of completing a driver's education program is ideal for students who want to learn with more flexibility. Residents can quickly sign up for such a course on DriversEd.com, where they will be able to meet the CO driver's ed requirements on their own time by taking a practical course with a 99.5 percent passing rate.

Requirements

Residents between the ages of 15 and 15-and-a-half must complete specific Colorado driver education requirements. As a general rule, these drivers must complete the following tasks:
  • A driver's education course of 30 hours is required.
  • Six hours of driving instruction.
  • A written examination.
On the other hand, first-time drivers aged 15 and a half to 16 can choose between a 30-hour driver education course and a four-hour driver awareness class. They will then be required to pass the DOR written exam. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 must study the CO driver manual and pass a written test as part of their driver education program to obtain a permit. Residents between 18 and 21 must complete the exact driver education requirements. Furthermore, drivers under 18 must submit an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship signed by their parents or guardians. Behind-the-wheel driver education is only required for new drivers who are 16 and a half years old or younger. Drivers who live more than 30 miles from a driving school will also require 12 hours of supervised driving time.

Benefits

Completing a driver's education course in Colorado has several advantages. Primarily, new drivers will learn how to operate a vehicle effectively and safely. Young drivers can reduce their chances of being in an accident by learning state traffic laws and proper driving techniques through driver's ed classes. Furthermore, taking a driver's education course may qualify motorists for a discount on their auto insurance policies. However, this discount is only available to drivers under 21 who have completed an in-classroom course that includes behind-the-wheel training. Furthermore, not all insurers provide a driver's education discount, and eligibility requirements vary by insurer. As a result, motorists should contact their auto insurance company before enrolling in a specific class to confirm their eligibility. A CO driver's education school covers a wide range of topics. The Colorado driver manual, for example, includes detailed information on the following topics:
  • Getting a driver's license
  • State traffic regulations
  • How to drive safely
  • Driving fundamentals
  • Emergencies
  • Sharing the road

Fees

Colorado driver's education costs vary greatly depending on your program type. For example, online driver education classes are typically less expensive than in-person courses. Driver education online courses typically range in price from $20 to $140. In-classroom driver education programs typically cost between $95 and $185. Many providers allow students to combine their knowledge courses with behind-the-wheel training. These course packages typically cost $252 or more.