Colorado Graduated Driver's License
As most people already know, teenagers are a high-risk group when it comes to driving. Statistics show that 25 percent of 16 year old drivers either receive a ticket or are involved in a traffic accident during their first year of driving. That is why, on July 1, 1999, Colorado joined other states in accepting a graduated driver’s license law. The law aims at reducing the number of vehicle-related death among teens by gradually introducing teenagers to driving. According to the law, a teenager is forced to go through stages before he or she can obtain a full driver’s license.
The graduated driver’s license law in Colorado closely resembles those in other states. A teenager who is trying to obtain a driver’s license is required to go through three stages:
- Stage 1 – obtaining a learner’s driving permit
- Stage 2 – obtaining a provisional license
- Stage 3 – obtaining a full driver’s license
Teenagers in Colorado can obtain a driver’s permit when they reach the age of 15. In order to do so, they must present the proof that they are enrolled in a driver’s education course approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Teenage drivers who hold the learner’s permit are subject to the following restrictions:
- The student may drive only while being accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older
- The student must receive at least 50 hours of behind the wheel instruction. 10 of these must be done at nighttime.
- The student may not drink and drive or drive while being under the influence
- The student may not use a cell phone while driving
- The student may not commit any traffic violations
If the student holds his or her learner’s permit for 12 months and meets all of the above conditions, he or she can apply for the road test and obtain a provisional driver’s license. The provisional driver’s license has the following restrictions:
- No driving between midnight and 5 A.M.
- For the first 6 months, the driver is not allowed to carry passengers under 21 (unless a licensed driver over 21 is present)
- For the subsequent 6 months, only one passenger under 21 is allowed (unless a licensed driver over 21 is present)
- Drivers under 17 are not allowed to carry more than one passenger in the car
- All passengers should wear seatbelts
If the driver abides to the above rules, these restrictions are lifted when he reaches the age of 17 when he or she can obtain a full driver’s license.
