Colorado driver's license
Get your first license in Colorado after moving to the US.
The short answer
If you have never held a license, or your last license has been expired for more than 12 months, you start with a Colorado learner permit and pass the written test and the driving test.1 You may take the written permit test two times in one day, and each retest costs $11.50.2 A license from another US state transfers without retesting when it is valid, or expired less than one year.3 While you hold the permit, a licensed driver who is 21 or older sits in the front passenger seat.4
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Colorado and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
If you are temporarily lawfully present (TLP) and transfer an out-of-state credential, Colorado issues you a standard credential, even if your previous state's credential was REAL ID compliant.5
If you are temporarily present in the United States, you may apply for an identification document, and the department will issue it if you qualify and produce documents showing you are lawfully present in the United States.6
If your license from another state has expired
Bring your driver's license from your previous state or U.S. territory, valid or expired less than one year, or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days that shows a license that is valid or expired less than one year.3
You must start with a permit if you have never had a license, or if your license has been expired or canceled for over 12 months, regardless of your age.1
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validUnder exceptions processing, a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card issued by any state may be used if it has not expired or has expired within the last ten years.7
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
You must provide your Social Security number, which will be verified through the Social Security Administration. This applies even if you transfer your REAL ID credential from another state.8
Your Social Security number remains confidential and is not placed on your driver license, except that the confidentiality does not extend to the state child support enforcement agency, the department, or a court of competent jurisdiction.9
Tests you take
Tries you get on the written test
You may only take two tests per day, and if you do not pass the written permit test, you will have to pay a fee of $11.50 for each retest.2
Practice questions for the written test
The Driver's Handbook and the Practice Quiz are on Colorado's Driver Education webpage.10
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older and sitting in the front passenger seat. The supervisor must have a valid Colorado driver license, or a military ID plus a valid out-of-state license.4
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“You must start with a permit if you’ve never had a license OR if your license has been expired/canceled for over 12 months, regardless of your age. Get Your Adult Permit Phase 1: Preparation (Before the Appointment) Step 1: Study for the Test Review the Driver’s Handbook and take the Practice Quiz.”
dmv.colorado.gov/node/10074Checked August 1, 2026
- 2
“provider found here. If you don’t pass the written permit test, you will have to pay a fee of $11.50 for each retest. You may only take two tests per day.”
dmv.colorado.gov/hb24-1021-motor-vehicle-minor-driver-educationChecked August 4, 2026
- 3
“Bring your driver's license from the previous state/U.S. territory (valid or expired less than one year) or a motor vehicle report (dated within 30 days and showing a license that is valid or expired less than one year).”
dmv.colorado.gov/new-to-coloradoChecked August 4, 2026
- 4
“Driving Supervision A permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older and sitting in the front passenger seat. The supervisor must have a valid Colorado driver license (or Military ID + valid out of state license).”
dmv.colorado.gov/permits-first-time-driver-licenseChecked August 4, 2026
- 5
“Pursuant to Colorado law, temporarily lawfully present (TLP) residents who are transferring their out-of-state credential must be issued a Colorado standard credential, even if the previous state’s credential was REAL ID compliant.”
dmv.colorado.gov/drivers/standard-license-and-ID-cardsChecked August 4, 2026
- 6
“An individual who is temporarily present in the United States may apply for an identification document pursuant to this section. The department shall issue an identification document if the individual: (a) Qualifies for the document applied for except for qualifications that conflict with this section; and (b) Produces documents that satisfy the department that the individual is lawfully present in the United States.”
web.archive.org/…/crs2024-title-42.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 7
“rtment, which establishes evidence of the applicant's identity or date of birth. 2.9 exceptions processing to establish identity and date of birth for applicants who cannot demonstrate lawful presence or applicants who can demonstrate temporary lawful presence. 2.9.1 the following documents or combination of documents may be used by an applicant to establish identity and/or date of birth: 2.9.1.1 a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card issued by any state, including a state that does not require proof of lawful presence to obtain such document, that has not expired or that has expired within the last ten years. 2.9.1.2 a military identification card or common access card issued by the u.s. department of defense that contains a photograph of the applicant that has expired within the previous 10 years. such identification cards include active duty, retiree, national guard, and dependent identification cards. 2.9.1.3 a veteran's administration card issued within the last 20 years that bears a photograph of”
sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.doChecked July 26, 2026
- 8
“You must also provide your Social Security number, which will be verified through the Social Security Administration. This applies even if you transfer your REAL ID credential from another state.”
dmv.colorado.gov/real-id-and-coloradoChecked August 4, 2026
- 9
“an application for a driver's or minor driver's license shall include the applicant's social security number, which shall remain confidential and shall not be placed on the applicant's driver's or minor driver's license; except that such confidentiality shall not extend to the state child support enforcement agency, the department, or a court of competent jurisdiction”
web.archive.org/…/crs2024-title-42.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 10
“Review the Driver’s Handbook and take the Practice Quiz located on the Driver Education webpage here.”
dmv.colorado.gov/permits-first-time-driver-licenseChecked August 4, 2026
- 11
“https://dmv.colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling”
dmv.colorado.gov/permits-first-time-driver-licenseChecked July 26, 2026
- 12
“href="https://coloradoappt.cxmflow.com/Appointment/Index/20f440ff-2a2b-4df9-8fd9-86c057f3590a" target="_blank"> Schedule an appointment”
dmv.colorado.gov/AppointmentSchedulingChecked July 26, 2026
- 13
“https://dmv.colorado.gov/driver-license-office-locations”
dmv.colorado.gov/driver-license-office-locationsChecked August 4, 2026
- 14
“https://dmv.colorado.gov/county-offices”
dmv.colorado.gov/AppointmentSchedulingChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Colorado?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.