Colorado DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Colorado driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Colorado-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Colorado driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Colorado test has 25 questions and you need 20 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Colorado-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Colorado Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	25 questions, must score 20/25 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 75 mph \| Residential: 30 mph \| School Zone: 20 mph
DUI/DWAI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Points range from 1 to 12. Drivers under 18 lose their license at 6 points in 12 months. Adults at 12 points in 12 months.

Rules Specific to Colorado

Colorado has a separate DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) charge at BAC of 0.05 to 0.08
Chain or traction law applies on I-70 in the mountains — vehicles must carry chains or have adequate tires
Left lane on highways is for passing only unless traffic is heavy

Sample Colorado Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Colorado. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

In Colorado, what is the per se BAC limit for DUI for an adult driver?
- A. 0.05%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.15%
Answer: 0.08%. A BAC of 0.08% or higher meets Colorado’s DUI per se standard.
In Colorado, UDD (underage drinking and driving) generally applies at which BAC range?
- A. 0.00% to under 0.02%
- B. 0.02% to under 0.05%
- C. 0.05% to under 0.08%
- D. 0.08% or higher
Answer: 0.02% to under 0.05%. Colorado defines a specific BAC range for underage drinking and driving.
In Colorado, children must ride rear-facing until at least which age and weight?
- A. Under 1 year and 20 pounds
- B. Under 2 years and 40 pounds
- C. Under 4 years and 40 pounds
- D. Under 8 years and 57 inches
Answer: Under 2 years and 40 pounds. Colorado law requires rear-facing restraints for young children.
In Colorado, what are the standard signaling distances in urban vs. highway areas?
- A. 50 ft / 100 ft
- B. 100 ft / 200 ft
- C. 100 ft / 300 ft
- D. 200 ft / 500 ft
Answer: 100 ft / 200 ft. Colorado uses different signaling distances depending on roadway type.
In Colorado, if you cannot move over for a stopped emergency vehicle, how much must you slow down?
- A. 5 mph below the limit
- B. 10 mph below the limit
- C. 20 mph below the limit
- D. No reduction required
Answer: 20 mph below the limit. Colorado’s Move Over law requires a significant speed reduction.
If you get a Colorado permit before 18, how long must you hold it before applying for a license?
- A. 6 months
- B. 9 months
- C. 12 months
- D. 18 months
Answer: 12 months. Minors must hold an instruction permit for 12 months and submit a signed log of 50 driving hours, 10 at night.
How much logged driving experience must a Colorado minor submit before getting a license?
- A. 30 hours, 5 at night
- B. 40 hours, 10 at night
- C. 50 hours, 10 at night
- D. 60 hours, 15 at night
Answer: 50 hours, 10 at night. A completed and signed driving log must show 50 hours of driving, 10 of them at night.
During the first year with a Colorado license (under 18), when may you not drive without an instructor, parent, or guardian?
- A. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight to 5 a.m.
- D. Midnight to 6 a.m.
Answer: Midnight to 5 a.m.. For the first year, driving between midnight and 5 a.m. isn't allowed unless accompanied, with exceptions such as school and work.
How far from a stopped Colorado school bus with flashing red lights must you stop?
- A. At least 10 feet
- B. At least 20 feet
- C. At least 50 feet
- D. At least 100 feet
Answer: At least 20 feet. Stop at least 20 feet before reaching the bus and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing.
When don't you have to stop for a Colorado school bus with flashing red lights?
- A. When no children are visible
- B. When a median or other physical barrier separates the bus from your vehicle
- C. On any four-lane road
- D. After 5 p.m.
Answer: When a median or other physical barrier separates the bus from your vehicle. You're not required to stop if a median or other physical barrier separates you from the bus.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in a Colorado residence district?
- A. 20 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: 30 mph. Default limits: 20 mph on narrow, winding mountain highways and blind curves, 25 mph in business districts, and 30 mph in residence districts.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in a Colorado business district?
- A. 20 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: 25 mph. Business districts default to 25 mph.
In Colorado, you may not park within how many feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or railroad crossing?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: 30 feet. Don't park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or railroad crossing, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
When must you dim your high beams (or fog lights with low beams) for an oncoming vehicle in Colorado?
- A. Within 200 feet
- B. Within 300 feet
- C. Within 500 feet
- D. Within 1,000 feet
Answer: Within 500 feet. Dim before coming within 500 feet of any oncoming vehicle.
How far before changing lanes on a Colorado freeway should you signal?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 100 feet
- C. At least 200 feet
- D. At least 500 feet
Answer: At least 200 feet. Signal at least 200 feet before changing lanes on the freeway, and avoid frequent lane changes.
Under Colorado's Move Over law, what must you do for a stationary vehicle with hazards flashing if you can't safely move over?
- A. Keep your speed
- B. Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit
- C. Slow to 10 mph
- D. Stop behind it
Answer: Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit. Move over one lane if you safely can. If not, or on a road with one lane each way, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit.
What happens if you refuse a chemical test in Colorado?
- A. A 90-day suspension
- B. A 6-month suspension
- C. A one-year revocation and a 2-year ignition interlock requirement
- D. A fine only
Answer: A one-year revocation and a 2-year ignition interlock requirement. Refusal revokes your license for one year and requires an ignition interlock for two years.
How many points toward suspension does a first DWAI (0.05% BAC) conviction carry in Colorado?
- A. 4
- B. 6
- C. 8
- D. 12
Answer: 8. A first Driving While Ability Impaired conviction at 0.05% carries 8 points, a $200–$500 fine, and 2–180 days in jail.
How much clearance must you give a bicyclist when passing in Colorado?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. One lane
Answer: At least 3 feet. Allow at least 3 feet of clearance on all roadways, even where no sign is posted.
If you fail the Colorado drive test, how long must you wait to retake it?
- A. Until the next business day
- B. One week
- C. Two weeks
- D. 30 days
Answer: Until the next business day. If you fail the drive test, you must wait until the next business day to retake it.

Colorado Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Colorado permit test?

The Colorado knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 20 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Colorado?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Colorado is 15. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Colorado?

Colorado calls impaired driving DUI/DWAI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the Colorado driver point system work?

Points range from 1 to 12. Drivers under 18 lose their license at 6 points in 12 months. Adults at 12 points in 12 months.

What are the default speed limits in Colorado?

Typical limits in Colorado are up to 75 mph on highways, 30 mph in residential areas and 20 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Colorado government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337) on September 26, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Colorado driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Colorado government agency.