DMV Colorado · Fees, age, and practice test
Colorado Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Start the free Colorado practice testSourced procedural facts for Colorado DMV, plus a free 213-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the Colorado permit test cost?
No first-attempt state test fee is listed; @Home testing charges $6.50 per attempt, and third-party charges vary.
- Learner permit / application fee: $20 instruction permit; $23 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential.
- Knowledge (written) test fee: No first-attempt state test fee is listed; @Home testing charges $6.50 per attempt, and third-party charges vary.
- Initial driver license fee: $34 driver license; $36 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential.
Source: Colorado DMV - Permits and First-Time Driver License · Fee source checked 2026-10-05. Our 213-question Colorado practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Your 3-stage Colorado study path
- Stage 1: Study the sheets. Read the Colorado cheat sheet for signs, numbers, and must-know rules.
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Colorado verified practice bank · 213 questions rev 2026-10-12-ca500
Before your Colorado knowledge test
Cost details
- The permit costs $20 for a REAL ID credential or $23 under CO-RCSA; license issuance is separately $34 or $36. Official cost source
- The @Home test charges $6.50 per attempt; repeat attempts also incur an $11.50 state fee. Other providers may add fees. Official cost source
Before you apply
These notes cover selected application steps. Check the linked official instructions for the full requirements for your situation.
- Pre-register online and select an in-office written-test appointment or the @Home test. Official application instructions
- After an online pass, book a permit-issuance appointment and bring the completion confirmation and required identity and address documents. Official application instructions
Cost and application notes checked .
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years old (exact permit type varies by age between 15 and 21)
Knowledge test fee
No first-attempt state test fee is listed; @Home testing charges $6.50 per attempt, and third-party charges vary.
Permit fee
$20 instruction permit; $23 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential.
Initial license fee
$34 driver license; $36 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential.
Passing score
80% or higher (0 to 5 incorrect answers)
Retake fee
$11.50 state written-retest fee; @Home retakes also cost $6.50 per attempt.
Supervised driving before road test
50 hours supervised driving (10 at night), logged and signed by a parent/guardian/responsible adult, required after holding the permit 12 months before applying for a license
Documents to bring
Proof of identity and lawful presence plus two proofs of Colorado address; an adult's proof of address can be used for a minor
Find an office / appointment
Appointment Scheduling page plus state and county office locations. State driver license offices operate primarily on an appointment-only basis; county office walk-in policies vary.
REAL ID status
Colorado credentials have been REAL ID compliant by default since 2012/2013. Requires identity, lawful status, residency, and SSN. Federal deadline May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Riders under 18 must hold an instruction permit for 12 months; the endorsement requires a written exam and a drive skills test, or a MOST course waiver.
Commercial license (CDL)
Requires a commercial learner permit held for 14 days, written knowledge tests, a drive skills test, and DOT medical certification.
Official source: Colorado DMV - Permits and First-Time Driver License
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles site.
How much is the Colorado permit test?
Colorado knowledge test fee: No first-attempt state test fee is listed; @Home testing charges $6.50 per attempt, and third-party charges vary. (official source). Permit fee: $20 instruction permit; $23 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential. (official source).
Colorado DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test fee | No first-attempt state test fee is listed; @Home testing charges $6.50 per attempt, and third-party charges vary. | source |
| Permit fee | $20 instruction permit; $23 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential. | source |
| Initial license fee | $34 driver license; $36 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential. | source |
| Retake fee | $11.50 state written-retest fee; @Home retakes also cost $6.50 per attempt. | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Colorado DMV practice test (213 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Colorado driver license covers
Initial license fee: $34 driver license; $36 for a CO-RCSA Standard credential. (official source)
REAL ID status: Colorado credentials have been REAL ID compliant by default since 2012/2013. Requires identity, lawful status, residency, and SSN. Federal deadline May 7, 2025. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Colorado DMV site for exact card timelines.
Getting a license in Colorado
Getting your first permit
In Colorado, the minimum permit age is 15 years old (exact permit type varies by age between 15 and 21). When you apply for a permit or license, bring: proof of identity and lawful presence plus two proofs of Colorado address; an adult's proof of address can be used for a minor. Appointment Scheduling page plus state and county office locations. State driver license offices operate primarily on an appointment-only basis; county office walk-in policies vary.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
No first-attempt state test fee is listed; @Home testing charges $6.50 per attempt, and third-party charges vary. Before the road test, the state requires 50 hours supervised driving (10 at night), logged and signed by a parent/guardian/responsible adult, required after holding the permit 12 months before applying for a license.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
Colorado credentials have been REAL ID compliant by default since 2012/2013. Requires identity, lawful status, residency, and SSN. Federal deadline May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: riders under 18 must hold an instruction permit for 12 months; the endorsement requires a written exam and a drive skills test, or a MOST course waiver. For a commercial license (CDL): requires a commercial learner permit held for 14 days, written knowledge tests, a drive skills test, and DOT medical certification.
The Colorado bank has 213 questions across 9 topics
Test day: what to bring and where to go: a printable Colorado checklist of the documents for the permit test, plus the official office finder and appointment links.
Study the handbook, chapter by chapter: 23 free lessons that boil the Colorado driver manual down to the rules and exact numbers on the test, each quoted with its page.
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