Driving news: Colorado
Colorado will require driver education for permit applicants under 21
Beginning January 1, 2027, everyone under 21 who applies for a Colorado instruction permit must first finish approved driver education. At 15 to 17 that means a 30-hour course; at 18 to 20, that course or a 4-hour driver awareness program.
- Jan. 1, 2027start date
- 30 hourscourse at 15 to 17
- 30 or 4 hourschoice at 18 to 20
What changes
For applications made on or after January 1, 2027, driver education comes before the instruction permit for everyone under 21. At 15 to 17 it is an approved 30-hour course, online or in person. At 18 to 20 it is either that course or an approved 4-hour driver awareness program, which the Colorado DMV says is taken in person.
Until then
Today the rule depends on age: the 30-hour course at 15 to 15½, the 30-hour course or the 4-hour class at 15½ to 16, and no education requirement from 16. The DMV says the new education rules do not apply to permits issued before January 1, 2027.
What stays the same
Teens under 18 still hold the permit for 12 months and log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night, before the license.
What to do now
If you are under 21 and will apply for your permit in 2027 or later, book driver education early. If you are 16 or 17 and get your permit before January 1, 2027, today's rules apply. Check the Colorado DMV before you apply for the current details.
Related Road to Permit guides
Official sources
- Colorado DOT — 2027 Teen Driver Education Standards
- Colorado DMV — HB24-1021 Motor Vehicle Minor Driver Education
- Colorado DMV — Minor Permit
- Colorado DMV — Driver Education
Independent study resource. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by any DMV, DPS, FLHSMV or other government agency. Official state sources control if information changes.