Education requirements depend on the applicant’s age.
CO driver handbook profile
Colorado driver manuals and DMV resources.
Open the passenger-driver, motorcycle, and commercial driver manuals in one place, then verify current licensing rules with Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Colorado’s driver process is split among state driver-license offices, county motor-vehicle offices, and approved third-party testing providers. The guide below identifies the right starting point and cites the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles for every summarized requirement.
Start with your goal
What are you trying to do?
Get a first permit
Follow Colorado’s age-based permit and first-license process.
Open official guidancePrepare for an appointmentReview acceptable identity and Colorado-residency documents.
Open official guidanceFind a driver-license officeCheck locations, services, hours, closures, and accommodations.
Open official guidanceFind a driving school or testerState offices do not conduct driving-skills tests.
Open official guidanceFirst-time driver snapshot
Important licensing milestones
Or until the applicant’s 18th birthday, whichever comes first.
The minor-license pathway includes at least 10 nighttime hours.
The supervisor must ride in the front passenger seat.
Source: Colorado DMV — permits and first-time driver licenseVerified July 29, 2026
Where to go
Choose the office that handles your task
State driver-license office
Driver licenses, permits, IDs, written tests, and endorsements.
An appointment is required for a state driver-license office visit.Find the right locationCounty motor-vehicle office
Vehicle registration, titles, plates, temporary tags, and related vehicle services.
Hours, services, and appointment rules vary by county.Find the right locationApproved third-party provider
Driving-skills tests and behind-the-wheel instruction.
Book directly with the approved school or testing location.Find the right locationSource: Colorado DMV — appointment scheduling and service routingVerified July 29, 2026
Before an office visit
Prepare before you schedule
- First-time applicants should complete Colorado’s online pre-registration before the visit.
- Schedule the correct appointment type at a state driver-license office.
- Bring acceptable identity, Colorado-address, Social Security/REAL ID, and name-change documents when applicable.
- Confirm that the selected location provides the service you need before traveling.
Source: Colorado DMV — required identification documentsVerified July 29, 2026
More official resources
Additional driver resources
Spanish Driver Handbook
The official Spanish-language Colorado Driver Handbook.
Open resourceParent’s Supervised Driving GuideThe official companion guide for supervised practice.
Open resourceOfficial practice quizColorado DMV’s Driver Handbook practice quiz.
Open resourceAudio Driver HandbookListen to Colorado’s handbook through its official YouTube resource.
Open resourceOfficial state resources
Use the agency site for locations and services.
Colorado separates driver licensing, county vehicle services, and third-party skills testing. This profile identifies the correct office, preparation steps, current licensing milestones, and official manual formats.
Find a DMV office
Open the state or county office locator.
Open official siteAppointmentsCheck whether this agency accepts or requires reservations.
Open official siteOnline servicesSee which driver services can be completed online.
Open official siteOfficial handbook sourceVerify the latest manuals on the licensing agency website.
Open official siteFree handbook links
Choose the manual you need.
Each link opens the FirstMiles archive when available. If an archive file is temporarily unavailable, you will be sent to the official state source instead.
Colorado Driver Manual
36 pages · 24.3 MB · PDF
Colorado Motorcycle Manual
24 pages · 6.0 MB · PDF
Colorado Commercial Driver License Manual
156 pages · 10.1 MB · PDF