Is It Mandatory To Go To Driving School In Colorado?

If you are beginning the process of getting your driver's license and live in Colorado, then you might be wondering about the requirements the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles has in place. One question we hear a lot: Is it mandatory to go to driving school in Colorado? We know that the requirements for obtaining a drivers license are different in every state, so we are going to answer that question for you today.

Driving School Requirements

In Colorado, anyone under the age of 16 must complete a driver's education course before applying for a driver's license. The course must be approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue and must include at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. Additionally, all new drivers under the age of 18 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before they can apply for a driver's license.

The Instruction Permit

For those new drivers in Colorado, the first step to getting your driver's license is to obtain your Instruction Permit. This section's requirements are based solely on age.

If you are 14.5 years old, but less than 15 years and 6 months, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Attend and complete a DMV-approved 30-hour Drivers Ed course.
• Once you turn 15, you must pass a written test.

If you are 15 years and 6 months, but less than 16 years of age, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Attend and complete a pre-qualification four-hour Driver Awareness Program that is DMV-approved OR attend and complete a DMV-approved 30-hour Driver Education course.
• Pass a written test

If you are 16 years of age, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Pass a written test

Colorado Drivers License

The next step after the permit would be to get your Colorado driver's license, which also has requirements based on age.

If you are under 18 years of age, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Be at least 16 years of age or older.
• Hold your Colorado Instruction Permit for one full year. This is from the original date the Colorado Instruction Permit was issued to you by the DMV.
• If you are under 16.5 years of age, you must complete six hours of behind-the-wheel driving lessons with a state-certified instructor, which Coastline offers.
• Have a completed and signed (by the parent or legal guardian that signed the Affidavit of Liability for the Instruction Permit) the Drive Time Log sheet with a total of 50 hours of drive time, which includes at least 10 hours of driving at night.
• Pass the Behind-The-Wheel Driver’s Test.

If you are 18 years of age or older, then the State of Colorado requires you to:

• Pass the written Instruction Permit exam.
• Pass the Behind-The-Wheel Driver’s Test.

Is It Mandatory To Attend Driving School In Colorado?

It is mandatory for anyone under the age of 16 to complete a driver's education course before applying for a driver's license in Colorado. Additionally, all new drivers under the age of 18 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before they can apply for a driver's license. However, it is not mandatory for drivers who are over the age of 18 to attend driving school in Colorado.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.