The journey to independent driving is one of the most exciting milestones for a teenager, but for parents, it can often feel complex and overwhelming. Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws are designed to help keep drivers under 18 safer by limiting distractions and other high risk situations as they gain experience.
Since 1994, Anshor Driving School has helped Colorado families understand the rules, meet the requirements, and build safe driving habits step by step. We know that for many families, understanding the requirements for a 15-year-old can feel like the hardest part at first. The good news? We are here to serve as your trusted coach, simplifying the state mandates so you can focus on supervising your teen’s safe progress.
This guide details exactly what is required for a 15-year-old to obtain their Colorado Learner’s Permit and what steps follow immediately after.
Quick Answer: Three Big Checkpoints for a 15-Year-Old Applying for a Colorado Permit
If your teen is 15 years old and wants to apply for their first permit, these are three key checkpoints, and you will also need to complete Colorado pre-registration, bring the required documents, and have a parent, guardian, or qualifying adult sign the Affidavit of Liability.
- Be at least 15 years old, because that is the minimum age to apply for a permit in Colorado.
- Complete a state-approved 30-hour driver education course, because Colorado requires it for teens applying from age 15 to under 15 years and 6 months.
- Once a teen is 15 years and 6 months old, Colorado also allows a state-approved 4-hour Driver Awareness course as an alternative to the 30-hour Driver Education course.
- Pass the driving knowledge written test, because Colorado requires a passing score before the permit can be issued.
Requirement 1: The Mandatory 30-Hour Driver Education Course
For teens aged 15 to under 15 years and 6 months, the 30-hour Driver Education (DE) course is a mandatory component of the permit application process.This course serves as the foundational academic training that introduces state laws, road signage, and critical defensive driving theories.
Colorado requires the 30-hour driver education course for this age group, and it gives students a structured way to learn the rules of the road before they start practicing behind the wheel. When your teen completes the course, bring the school’s proof of completion to the DMV, because the DMV must verify the course was successfully finished before issuing a permit.
Choosing the Right Program
While there are many online options available, we encourage parents to prioritize state-approved providers who emphasize safety and quality instruction over mere compliance. Whether your teen takes the course online or in a classroom, make sure it is through a Colorado state-approved driving school so the completion certificate is accepted by the DMV.
At Anshor, our 30-hour program is built to meet the state requirement and help your teen take responsibility on the road seriously from day one. This early investment in comprehensive education will pay dividends when they are ready to drive on their own.
Step-by-Step: Applying for the Colorado Learner’s Permit
Once the 30-hour course is complete, your teen can start the permit process by completing Colorado DMV pre-registration to save time, gathering the required documents, and scheduling an appointment to have the permit issued. To keep your DMV visit smooth, it helps to gather your documents ahead of time and double-check the state checklist before you go.
When you go to your state driver license office appointment to have the permit issued, bring the documents Colorado DMV requires for identity, lawful presence, Social Security number when applicable, and Colorado address.
- Bring the identity and lawful presence documents that match your teen’s situation by using the Colorado DMV document checklist, because acceptable documents vary by applicant.
- Bring what the DMV requires for Social Security number verification when applicable, because Colorado document rules can vary depending on the applicant.
- Bring the required proof of Colorado address, and if the residency documents are in a parent or guardian’s name, the DMV can accept that in certain minor permit situations.
- Have a parent or guardian ready to sign what the DMV requires, including the Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship (DR 2460) for minors under 18, and any additional identity affidavit only if the DMV confirms it applies to your teen’s situation.
- Bring the certificate showing your teen completed the state-approved 30-hour driver education course, because the DMV requires it for permit applicants in this age group.
Taking the Written Permit Test
The driving knowledge test covers traffic laws, safe driving rules, and road signs, and your teen must pass it before the DMV can issue the permit.
15-year-old applicants typically have three options for taking this test:
- At the DMV: Your teen can take the driving knowledge test in-office by appointment, and a little preparation ahead of time can make the day feel much calmer.
- At a Driving School: Your teen may be able to take the driving knowledge test in a familiar setting, and Anshor offers the written permit test in class for eligible students or by appointment, but every student still goes to the DMV to have the permit issued.
- At Home: Your teen can take the Driving Knowledge (written) test online at home using Colorado DMV’s official @Home Driving Knowledge Test platform (desktop or laptop with a front-facing camera), then schedule an appointment to visit a driver license office to have the permit issued.
Requirement 2: The Critical 6 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training
While the permit allows your teen to begin supervised practice, Colorado requires behind-the-wheel training before a driver’s license can be issued if your teen is under 16 years and 6 months old when they apply.
For teens who will apply for their license before they turn 16 years and 6 months, the required behind-the-wheel training helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real driving experience.
In most cases, this is completed as 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved driving school, and in limited situations, Colorado allows an alternative if no qualifying provider is available within 30 miles or if the provider is open fewer than 20 hours per week.
Crucially, Colorado requires this behind-the-wheel training before a license can be issued if the applicant is under 16 years and 6 months old at the time they apply.
Why Choose Anshor for Behind-the-Wheel Sessions?
We understand that placing your child in a vehicle with a stranger is a major act of trust. That is why we focus on a clear, safety-first process every step of the way:
- Certified Instructors: Our behind-the-wheel lessons are led by certified instructors who use patient, constructive coaching to help your teen build skill and confidence.
- Safety First Vehicles: Our training vehicles include instructor safety controls, such as a dual brake, so your instructor can assist quickly when it matters.
- Customized Learning: We structure the 6 hours into sessions that fit your teen’s pace and your schedule, often as two 3-hour lessons depending on location, and we focus on key maneuvers, defensive driving, and smart decision-making on Colorado roads.
Next Step: Schedule Your 6-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Sessions: Appointment times can be limited, so scheduling early helps, and these hours are required if your teen plans to apply for a license before they turn 16 years and 6 months. Contact Anshor today to secure your preferred dates and times.
Safety Focus: What Happens in Our BTW Sessions?
Our professional training goes beyond simply driving around a block. We focus on real-world safety challenges specific to our community:
- Defensive Maneuvers: We teach defensive driving habits that help teens spot hazards early, keep a safe space cushion, and respond calmly and safely.
- Vehicle Control: We practice core skills like smooth turning, safe lane changes, merging, and parking, so your teen can handle busier roads with confidence.
- Colorado Road Preparedness: Depending on your location and your teen’s progress, we can cover skills like highway driving and mountain pass awareness, including how to approach steep grades, sharper curves, and changing weather conditions.
Requirement 3: The Logbook – 50 Hours of Supervised Driving
Once the permit is issued, your teen will need to log at least 50 hours of supervised driving time before applying for a Colorado driver’s license. This practice time helps your teen build confidence and skill under the supervision of a licensed driver age 21 or older who is authorized to supervise the permit holder.
Colorado requires a minimum of 50 logged hours, including at least 10 hours at night.
- 40 Hours of Daytime Driving: Use daytime practice to build consistency with everyday skills like intersections, lane choice, speed control, and parking.
- 10 Hours of Nighttime Driving: Use night practice to get comfortable with reduced visibility, headlight glare, and spotting hazards sooner.
Maximizing the Value of Supervised Hours
We see the parent or guardian as your teen’s primary at-home coach, and your role matters more than most families realize. Your role is vital. Here are three simple ways to make those 50 hours count.
- Practicing Variety: Do not stick to the same route. Practice highway merging, heavy traffic situations, and residential maneuvers.
- Reviewing Errors: After a session, discuss what went well and what could be improved in a constructive, non-judgmental manner.
- Accurate Logging: Make sure each drive is recorded clearly, and that the supervising adult initials each entry, because the completed Drive Time Log Sheet must be submitted when your teen applies for a license.
Your teen must hold their first instruction permit for at least 12 full months and be at least 16 years old before they can apply for a Colorado driver’s license, even if they finish the 50 hours sooner.
Preparing for the Drive Test: Looking Ahead to Licensing
Once your teen is at least 16, has held the permit for 12 full months, has logged at least 50 hours of supervised driving including at least 10 at night, and has completed the required behind the wheel training if they will apply before turning 16 years and 6 months, they are ready to schedule the Colorado drive test.
This test is a practical assessment of their ability to safely operate a vehicle in real-world conditions. Passing this test requires precision, adherence to the rules of the road, and demonstration of essential defensive driving skills.
Remember that even after passing the test and receiving their license, new minor drivers are still subject to Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restrictions during their first year, including:
- Curfew: For the first year, minor drivers cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless an exception applies, such as a parent or legal guardian in the vehicle, a qualifying adult over 21 in the vehicle, a medical emergency, work, or a school activity.
- Passenger Limits: For the first six months, minor drivers cannot carry passengers under 21 unless they are immediate family, and for the second six months the limit is no more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family.
The Anshor Advantage: Testing On-Site
To make the transition from training to licensing feel less stressful, Anshor Driving School offers third-party drive testing with state-certified examiners who follow Colorado requirements. This means your teen can take the drive test on-site with Anshor, and then you will still visit a Colorado driver’s license office to finish the licensing steps and get the license issued. This convenience and familiarity can help your teen feel more comfortable and focused on test day.
Final Thoughts: A Clear, Calm Path to a Colorado License
Getting a permit at 15 in Colorado is a step-by-step safety process. At 15, your teen will complete a state-approved 30-hour driver education course, pass the driving knowledge test, and bring the required documents to the DMV to have the permit issued, then log at least 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night, before applying for a Colorado driver’s license. If your teen applies for a license before turning 16 years and 6 months, Colorado also requires behind-the-wheel training. Since 1994, Anshor Driving School has helped Colorado families stay on track with patient instruction and on-site drive testing with state-certified examiners.
Ready to start? Enroll in driver ed, schedule behind-the-wheel sessions, or book a drive test with Anshor today.