Permit & License Requirements

Effective Jan. 1st, 2027, the State of Colorado is changing some Permit requirements:

• If you are under 18 years old, you must do the 30-hour course to obtain a permit (in-person or online)

• If you are getting your permit for the 1st time between 18-21 years old, you must do a minor driver awareness program 4-hour Course (in-person only). Must be at least 17 years & 11 months old to take this course. ​

Here is all the information you need on what a student must fulfill to get an instruction permit and driver's license in Colorado, depending on his or her age. For further information, please click here, and you will be redirected to the State of Colorado's website.

To Obtain an Instruction Permit

Age 15 to 15 and 6 months

• Need to complete a 30-hour driver education course (classroom or online). Must be 14 years and 9 months old to take the class. Once the student completes the class they have to wait until their 15th birthday to get the learner's permit.

• Need to take and pass (80% or better) a written at the DMV or online.

Age 15 and 6 months to 16:

• Need to complete ONE of the following:
  a. 4-hour driver awareness program. (not offered by 4CSA)

b. 30-hour driver education course (classroom or internet).

• Need to take and pass (80% or better) a written at the DMV or online.

Age 16 and above:

• Need to take and pass (80% or better) a written at the DMV or online.

To Obtain a Driver's License

Age 16 to 16 and 6 months:

• Must hold the instruction permit for a full 12 months.

• Log 50 hours of driving with a parent/guardian on the log sheet (10 hours need to be done at night).

• 6 hours of behind-the-wheel (BTW) training is required with a professional driving instructor up to 16 years and 6 months, unless the person lives over 30 miles from a full-time driver education school, then an additional 12 hours of driving with a parent/guardian on the log sheet is required. BTW is not required on or after 16 years and 6 months.

• Need to take and pass a driving test. This can be done through 4CSA.

Age 16 and 6 months to 18:

• Must hold the instruction permit for a full 12 months or until 18 years old, whichever comes first.

• Log 50 hours of driving with a parent/guardian on the log sheet (10 hours need to be done at night).

• Need to take and pass a driving test. This can be done through 4CSA.

Age 18 and above:

• Must obtain or have an instruction permit.

• Need to take and pass a driving test. This can be done through 4CSA.