Minimum age for a car driving licence in Colorado (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A learner's permit is available from 15 and a minor driver licence from 16, after 12 months on the permit (or reaching 18) and 50 supervised hours. Permit applicants under 18 must complete driver education.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A permit holder under 18 must hold the permit for 12 months or until the 18th birthday, whichever comes first, and log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night. A permit holder under 16 years 6 months must also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved driving school. The supervising driver must be aged 21 or over and sit in the front passenger seat. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | A permit holder under 18 must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night. Permit holders under 16 years 6 months must also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved driving school (or 12 extra supervised hours if living more than 30 miles from one). [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A restricted licence holder under 18 may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months of the licence or until 18, whichever comes first. [2] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For the first six months a restricted licence holder may carry no passengers under 21 who are not family members; after six months, no more than one passenger under 21, until 12 months on the licence or age 18. [2] |
Notes
- This is the age for the minor driver licence. The permit must be held for 12 months or until age 18 first.
- HB24-1021 (signed 15 May 2024) requires minors aged 15 to 17 to complete a 30-hour driver education course before an instruction permit, with the permit requirements applying from 1 January 2027. Until then the DMV page lists a 4-hour driver awareness programme as an alternative at ages 15½ to 16.
- The pages read for Colorado state no age rule for visitors holding a licence from another state or country.
Sources
- Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles: Colorado Permits and First-Time Driver License (Internet Archive snapshot of 10 May 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Colorado Department of Transportation: Colorado Graduated Driver Licensing Laws (GDL) resource guide (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Colorado and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 16 (minor licence) | 15 (learner's permit) | 12 months on permit, 50 hours logged, then 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kansas | 15 (restricted licence) | 14 (instruction permit) | Restricted licence from 15; full from 17 | Yes, 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Nebraska | 16 (provisional operator's permit) | 15 (learner's permit) | Provisional permit at 16; Class O after 12 months | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Mexico | 15½ (provisional licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Provisional from 15½ after 6 months on a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 with driver education; otherwise 16 | Learner permit at 15 with driver education | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Utah | 16 (licence after 6 months on permit) | 15 (learner permit) | Permit at 15; licence at 16 with GDL limits | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wyoming | 16 (after 6 months on intermediate permit) | 15 (instruction permit) | Permit 15; intermediate permit 16; licence 17 | Valid home licence; no age stated |
More rules in Colorado
- CannabisGrowing at home: Up to 6 plants per person; 12 per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph business, 30 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (40 mph open mountain highways)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks only) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed: banned over 3.5 in blade · Locking or one-handed knives: Only ballistic knives banned outright
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.16 per hour (2026)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes (adults: secondary enforcement) · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.