New motorists between 15 and 16 years of age are required to undergo a Colorado drivers education course in order to obtain a drivers license in the state. Alternatively, residents who are 16 years of age and older are not mandated to take any drivers ed classes. In any case, a drivers ed course can benefit first-time motorists by teaching them about proper vehicle operation and safe driving techniques.

Overall, students can elect to take drivers ed online or in person. In order to complete the program, drivers must accumulate at least six hours of driving time either through an approved drivers ed school or under the supervision of a parent or guardian. At the end of such courses, students will receive a certificate of completion, which is required for motorists younger than 16 years of age to apply for their provisional license to drive. Continue reading below to learn more about teen driving school requirements in Colorado and how to enroll in a class.

Who needs to take drivers ed in Colorado?

The only motorists required to take drivers ed in Colorado are those who are between 15 and 16 years of age. Therefore, young residents between 16 and 21 years of age must simply pass a written test administered by the state’s Department of Revenue (DOR) in order to acquire their driving permit.

Moreover, residents who are between 15-and-a-half and 16 years of age may choose to complete a four-hour driver awareness class instead of a driver education course. However, they still must pass the written driving skills test in order to obtain a license to drive.

Types of Drivers Ed Classes in Colorado

Drivers ed classes in Colorado are available both online and in person. Generally, motorists who are younger than 16 years of age are mandated to take a 30-hour drivers education course. Alternatively, residents who are older than 15-and-a-half years of age but younger than 17 years of age can choose between a drivers skill course or a four-hour driver awareness course.

Furthermore, all residents younger than 16-and-a-half years of age must participate in behind-the-wheel training, which may be completed with a parent/guardian or at an approved driving school. Adult drivers ed courses are available for first-time motorists who are older than 18 years of age as well, but they are not mandatory.

Colorado Online Drivers Ed vs. In-Person Courses

Residents seeking a drivers ed course can choose to complete it either online or in-person. Students who choose the in-person drivers ed class benefit from one-on-one interaction with their peers and instructor. In addition, students can easily ask questions and have discussions with their peers.

On the other hand, motorists who elect to take drivers education online will benefit in other ways. For instance, online students can progress through their 30-hour course at their own pace and work any time they wish. This method of completing a drivers education program is ideal for students who wish to have more flexibility while learning.

Residents can easily register for such a course on DriversEd.com, where they will be able to meet the CO drivers ed requirements on their own time through an effective course that has a 99.5 percent passing rate.

What will you learn in a Colorado drivers ed school?

A CO drivers ed school teaches numerous important topics. For example, the Colorado driver manual provides in-depth information on the following topics:

• Obtaining a drivers license
• State traffic laws
• How to be a safe driver
• Basics of driving
• Emergencies
• Sharing the road

Colorado Drivers Education Requirements

Residents between 15 and 15-and-a-half years of age must satisfy certain Colorado drivers education requirements. As a general rule, these drivers must complete:

• 30 hours of a driver education course.
• Six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
• A written test.

On the other hand, first-time drivers who are between 15-and-a-half and 16 years of age may choose to complete a 30-hour driver education course or a four-hour driver awareness class. Then, they will also be required to pass the DOR written test.

As part of their driver education program, motorists between 16 and 17 years of age must study the CO driver manual and pass a written test in order to receive a permit. The same driver education requirements apply to residents who are between 18 and 21 years of age. Moreover, be mindful that drivers younger than 18 years of age will be required to submit an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship signed by their parents or guardians.

Behind-the-wheel drivers ed training is only mandatory for new motorists who are 16-and-a-half years of age and younger. In addition, motorists who live more than 30 miles from a driving school will need an additional 12 hours of supervised driving time.

Benefits of a Colorado Driver Education Course

Completing a drivers education course in Colorado offers certain benefits. Primarily, new motorists will learn how to effectively and safely operate a vehicle. Through drivers ed classes, young drivers can decrease their chances of being in an accident by learning state traffic laws and proper methods of driving.

In addition, completing a drivers ed course may qualify motorists to receive a discount on their auto insurance policies. However, be mindful that this discount is primarily offered to drivers who are younger than 21 years of age and have completed an in-classroom course that included behind-the-wheel training. Moreover, not all insurers offer the drivers education discount, and each insurer may have different eligibility requirements. Therefore, motorists should contact their auto insurance company to verify their eligibility before enrolling in a particular class.

How to Enroll in a Colorado Drivers Ed School

Prior to choosing a Colorado drivers ed school, residents must pre-register with their local DOR office. Then, they can pick from a various driving schools throughout the state. Some are taught by licensed third-party companies while others are offered at local high schools. In addition, motorists can register for drivers ed online on most authorized providers.

In general, enrolling in an online drivers ed course is the most convenient option. Online courses make it easy for students to access the content from anywhere. DriversEd.com offers an affordable drivers ed course that is exclusively online. The course can be accessed on any device with a connection to the internet, including a free course application for mobile devices. With this program, students can take unlimited practice permit tests and complete their drivers education at their own pace.

Colorado DMV Drivers Ed Certificates

A Colorado DMV drivers ed certificate must be submitted by motorists when applying for an instructional permit. This document is granted after completion of a drivers education course or driver awareness program.

Depending on the school or program, students will either receive their certificate in the mail or in person. As an example, motorists who register to complete their drivers ed classes on DriversEd.com will receive a free delivery of their certificate of completion.

Drivers Ed for New Colorado Residents

New residents may be required to complete Colorado drivers ed if they do not meet certain requirements. For instance, motorists who are younger than 16-and-a-half years of age must complete the six-hour behind-the-wheel training requirement.

On the other hand, this is not a requirement if these new residents have out-of-state documentation pertaining to the completion of a drivers ed course from another state jurisdiction. While they must satisfy driver training, motorists who are at least 16-and-a-half years of age are not required to complete drivers education classes in Colorado.

Transferring motorists between 16 and 17 years of age are allowed to take a drivers ed test with their out-of-state permit. However, if they fail, they must apply for a Colorado permit and pass the driving skills test at an approved drivers ed school. New residents between 18 and 21 years of age must also pass a driving skills test at a driver education school.

Colorado Drivers Ed vs. Traffic School

There are several differences between traffic school and drivers ed in Colorado. In general, drivers education is for new motorists seeking a provisional license. It is a program that can span days as it covers various driving topics in depth.

In contrast to drivers ed classes, traffic school is a program for experienced motorists. Residents often register for this class to dismiss a citation or decrease their insurance costs. However, sometimes drivers are court-ordered to pass traffic school as a penalty for certain driving violations.

Colorado Driver Education Fees

Colorado drivers ed prices can vary widely depending on the type of program you choose from. For instance, online drivers ed classes typically cost less than in-classroom courses. In general, drivers ed online courses can cost between $20 and $140.

Comparatively, the cost of in-classroom driver education programs are between $95 and $185. Many providers give students the option to pair behind-the-wheel training with their knowledge course. These types of course packages are typically $252 or more.

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