Colorado DMV driving test, CO drivers license, CDL, motorcycle practice test

Colorado DMV Requirements for Licensing

Automobile License

If you are 16 and a Colorado resident, you must have Colorado driver license to operate motor vehicles on the state streets. An exception is made for members of U.S. Armed Forces and their families, foreign military personnel, non-resident aliens, students from other states, and residents employed in another state that is a member of the Interstate Driver’s License Compact Agreement.

Colorado DMV allows individuals to apply for the Class R basic driver license starting from the age of 15. The process includes receiving a corresponding type of instruction permit, which depends on the applicant’s age:

• driver education permit for persons aged 15-15 ½ years;
• minor instruction permit for persons aged 16-21;
• instruction permit for persons older than 21.

All the permits allow driving practice under supervision of a licensed driver, who is at least 21.

To earn the desired type of permit, you need to pass physical and vision examinations, as well as a CO driver license permit test and a road exam. Prior to applying for a permit, minors aged 15-15 ½ years have to complete a driver education course, while teens aged between 15 ½ and 16 can substitute a driver awareness class for it. To be admitted into the examinations to obtain the permits, you need to bring to a local DMV office:

• documents establishing the date of birth, legal name, identity, and lawful presence;
• SSN;
• documents proving residence address in the state;
• affidavit of liability (DR 2460) for persons under 18 only.

Also, the following fees should be paid:

• $16.80 instruction permit fee;
• $26 driver license fee.

Motorcycle License

According to Colorado DMV official website, there is no separate license for operating motorcycles, but there are endorsements, which can be added to a valid Class R driver license. "M" endorsement is necessary for riding 2- or 3-wheeled motorcycles, while "3" endorsement means you can drive 3-wheeled motorcycles only.

Both endorsements can be obtained either by completing a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course and purchasing a new driver license or by a regular procedure including passing CO written knowledge test, obtaining a motorcycle instruction permit, passing a road exam, and purchasing a new driver license with a necessary endorsement added. You must be 16 before you have the right to apply for the driver license with motorcycle endorsements. Until this age, you will be able to operate your bike only under supervision of a MSF instructor. Persons under 18 have to hold the motorcycle instruction permit for at least a year before the necessary changes can be introduced to the driver license.

The requirements for obtaining the motorcycle permit are similar to obtaining a general one, except you have to pay an additional $2 endorsement fee.

Commercial Driver’s License

There are CDL of Class A, B and C in Colorado, and to earn each of them you have to be at least 18 and hold a basic license. The procedure starts with passing a CO written knowledge test and purchasing a CDL permit if the test is passed successfully. In addition to the general knowledge test, you must pass at least one test, which is specific to the type of CDL license. Also, you need to provide your DOT medical card and pay the CDL fees:

• $15.50 CDL fee;
• $16.80 instruction permit fee.

On Driver-Start.com, we have gathered all of the Colorado official manuals and real questions from the knowledge tests for all classes of driver license. Here you can find CDL air brakes practice test and motorcycle exam as well as questions from the Class R test – they are available both for learning and training in various forms. Also, Driver Start provides an app ( App Store and  Play Store ) designed to assist in test preparation via smartphones or other mobile devices.