Passenger limits and curfew for young drivers

Key points

1. Under 18, your passenger limits depend on how long you have had your license.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “While you are younger than 18, you have passenger restrictions based on how long you have had your driver license.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

2. For the first six months, no passengers under 21 unless a parent or other licensed adult driver is in the car.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “For the first six months after your license is issued, you cannot have any passengers under 21, unless a parent or another licensed adult driver is in the vehicle.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

3. After 6 months, you may have one passenger younger than 21. Siblings and medical emergencies are exceptions.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “After 6 months, you may have one passenger younger than 21. Siblings and passengers with medical emergencies are exceptions.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

4. After 1 year, you may carry as many passengers as there are seat belts.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “After 1 year, you may carry as many passengers as there are seat belts in the vehicle.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

5. For your first year, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless with an instructor, parent or legal guardian.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “For your first year as a licensed driver, driving between midnight and 5 a.m. is not allowed unless you are accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

6. Curfew exceptions include driving to and from school or work with a signed statement, medical emergencies and emancipated minors.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “Exceptions include driving to and from school or work (with a signed statement from school or work), medical emergencies and emancipated minors.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

7. If the person who signed for you no longer accepts responsibility and withdraws their signature, your permit or license is canceled.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “If the signer decides to no longer accept responsibility for your driving, that person may withdraw their signature and your permit/license will be canceled.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 2

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. During the first six months after a Colorado minor's license is issued, which passenger is generally prohibited?

   1. A passenger younger than 21, unless a parent or licensed adult driver is present
   2. A sibling younger than 21 under every circumstance
   3. One passenger younger than 21, even with a parent present
   4. All passengers, regardless of age
   Show answer

   A passenger younger than 21, unless a parent or licensed adult driver is present. For the first six months of a minor's license, Colorado restricts passengers under 21. Such a passenger is not allowed unless a parent or another licensed adult driver is in the vehicle. That means a sibling under 21 is not banned in every circumstance, because a parent or licensed adult in the car changes the situation. The restriction also does not eliminate every passenger. Think of the first six months as a supervised transition period with a specific age limit for young passengers.

2. 2. During a Colorado minor driver's first year, when is driving between midnight and 5 a.m. generally prohibited?

   1. Only when the driver is alone during the afternoon
   2. Unless accompanied by an instructor, parent, or legal guardian
   3. Unless another passenger younger than 21 is present
   4. Only on weekends when school is not in session
   Show answer

   Unless accompanied by an instructor, parent, or legal guardian. A newly licensed minor faces a nighttime curfew during the first year. Driving from midnight through 5 a.m. is not allowed unless an instructor, parent, or legal guardian accompanies the driver. The rule is tied to the clock, not to weekends, school schedules, or whether a young passenger is present. Certain exceptions exist for school, work, medical emergencies, and emancipated minors, but ordinary late-night driving needs the listed adult supervision. Plan trips so the departure and return times fit the restriction.

3. 3. After a Colorado driver under 18 has held a license for 1 year, how many passengers may ride along?

   1. Only one passenger under 21
   2. Three passengers at most
   3. As many as there are seat belts in the vehicle
   4. None without a parent
   Show answer

   As many as there are seat belts in the vehicle. After 1 year, a Colorado driver under 18 may carry as many passengers as there are seat belts in the vehicle. The one passenger limit belongs to months six through twelve, and the no passengers rule to the first six months. Colorado sets no three passenger cap. The seat belt count also ties into a separate law: the number of passengers in a vehicle driven by someone under 18 must not exceed the number of seat belts.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Minor Drivers. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.