I'm a new resident in Colorado: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Colorado. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Colorado

Each rule comes from the Colorado driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 30 days of establishing Colorado residency.

  What the manual says

  • Deadlines

    After you establish residency, transfer your driver license within 30 days and register your vehicle within 90 days.

  • Who is a resident

    A person is a Colorado resident if they own or operate a business in Colorado, are employed in Colorado, or live in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.

  Source: [1]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Applicable tests may be required; eye exam for in-person issuance; license expired over 1 year: written test.

  What the manual says

  • A valid license from another state

    New residents with a valid license from another state must make an appointment. Pre-registering online is recommended.

    • Bring your previous state’s license, valid or expired less than one year, or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days that shows such a license.
    • The out-of-state license is voided (hole-punched).
    • Bring the Colorado identification documents even if your out-of-state license is REAL ID.
    • You may be required to take applicable tests. If your previous license has been expired for more than one year, you must take the written permit test and other applicable testing.
    • Under 18, a DR 2460 Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship signed by the parent or legal guardian before a license employee or notary is also required.

  • A valid license from another state

    New residents with a valid license from another state must make an appointment. Pre-registering online is recommended.

    • Bring your previous state’s license, valid or expired less than one year, or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days that shows such a license.
    • The out-of-state license is voided (hole-punched).
    • Bring the Colorado identification documents even if your out-of-state license is REAL ID.
    • You may be required to take applicable tests. If your previous license has been expired for more than one year, you must take the written permit test and other applicable testing.
    • Under 18, a DR 2460 Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship signed by the parent or legal guardian before a license employee or notary is also required.

  • The vision test

    Everyone getting a permit or license in person must pass a basic eye exam given by a Driver License Technician. If you fail it, you get form DR 2402 for an optometrist to complete. Bring it back on the rescheduled appointment.

  Source: [2] [1] [3]

• Liability insurance

  Proof of insurance is required while driving; not showing it when an officer asks can cost your driving privilege.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook says drivers are required to have proof of insurance while operating a vehicle.
  • Failing to provide valid evidence of insurance when a law enforcement officer requests it is listed as a way to lose your driving privilege.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 3

• Change of address

  Report a change of address or name to the DMV within 30 days.

  What the manual says

  • A change of address or name must be reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 30 days.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 1

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  First year: no driving midnight to 5 a.m.; exceptions: school/work with signed statement, medical emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • Night driving in the first year

    In the first year of a minor license, driving is not allowed between midnight and 5 a.m., with some exceptions, for example driving to or from school or work with a signed statement. The DMV Permits page and the Driver Handbook list the exceptions, so read them before you drive at night.

  • Exceptions to the curfew include driving to and from school or work with a signed statement, medical emergencies and emancipated minors.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 2

  Source: [4] [5]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Under 18: after 6 months, 1 passenger under 21; after 1 year, up to seat-belt count. Siblings exempt.

  What the manual says

  • After 6 months the driver may have one passenger younger than 21.
  • After 1 year a young driver may carry as many passengers as there are seat belts.
  • Siblings and passengers with medical emergencies are exceptions to the restrictions.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 2

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: license may be revoked for a BAC over .02; even a trace of alcohol is punishable.

  What the manual says

  • Licenses may be revoked based on a BAC over .02 if the driver is under 21.

  • Alcohol

    Even a trace of alcohol is punishable by law for drivers under the legal age.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 3

  Source: [5]

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving means you agree to a chemical test; refusal means 1-year revocation and 2 years of ignition interlock.

  What the manual says

  • Driving in Colorado means you agree to take a chemical test for alcohol and/or drugs.
  • Refusing the test or not complying leads to a one-year revocation.
  • The handbook requires an ignition interlock device for two years after a refusal.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 5

• Seat belts

  Driver, front-seat passengers and children under 16 must buckle up; all passengers if the driver is under 18.

  What the manual says

  • The seat belt law covers the driver, front seat passengers and children under 16.
  • Passengers in vehicles driven by anyone younger than 18 must be properly restrained or wear seat belts.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 3

• Child safety seats

  Under 2 (<40 lb): rear-facing, rear seat; 2-3 (20+ lb): rear seat if available; 4-8 (40+ lb): restraint or booster.

  What the manual says

  • Such a child must be secured in the rear seat in a rear-facing child restraint system.
  • The child must be in a rear-facing or forward-facing restraint in the rear seat if one is available.
  • The child must be secured in a child restraint system or booster seat in the rear seat, if one is available.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 3

• Phone use while driving

  No texting while driving except emergencies or contacting police/fire; under 18: no phone calls or texting except emergency police calls.

  What the manual says

  • Texting while driving is prohibited unless it is to contact law enforcement or the fire department, or it is an emergency.

  • Phone use

    Texting or talking on a cell phone while driving is against the law for drivers under 18, except to place an emergency call to the police.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 18

  Source: [5]

• School buses

  Stop 20+ feet away while red lights flash; two-lane: both directions stop; median: only vehicles behind.

  What the manual says

  • You must stop at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus stopped with its red lights flashing.
  • On a two-lane roadway, traffic in both directions is required to stop.
  • With a median separating the traffic, only the vehicles in both lanes behind the school bus must stop, not the opposite traffic.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 11, 20

• Move Over law

  Leave at least one lane between you if possible; limit above 45 mph: slow to 20 under unless directed otherwise.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook says to try to leave at least one lane between your vehicle and the stopped emergency vehicle.
  • Above 45 MPH, you slow to 20 MPH under the posted speed limit.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 11

• Headlights

  From sunset to sunrise, or when visibility is under 1,000 feet; use them when bad weather limits visibility.

  What the manual says

  • Colorado law requires headlights on from sunset to sunrise or when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
  • The handbook tells you to use your headlights if visibility is poor.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 16

• Right turn on red

  After stopping and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • After stopping and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, you may turn right on red unless a sign prohibits it.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: residence districts 30 mph, business districts 25 mph, designated rural interstates and highways 65-75 mph.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook lists 30 mph in any residence district.
  • The handbook lists 25 mph in any business district.
  • The handbook lists 65-75 mph on designated rural interstate and highways.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 12

• Left lane and keeping right

  On freeways, drive in the rightmost lane when slower than normal; left lane is for passing, left turns.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook says to drive in the rightmost lane when driving slower than the normal speed.
  • The passing lane is reserved for passing, left turns and conditions where the traffic volume does not allow merging into non-passing lanes.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 14

• Points and suspension

  Reaching the minimum point accumulation for suspension can cost your driving privilege; the number is not stated.

  What the manual says

  • Reaching the minimum point accumulation for suspension is one way to lose your driving privilege.

  Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 2

Official steps for moving to Colorado

• Who is a resident

  A person is a Colorado resident if they own or operate a business in Colorado, are employed in Colorado, or live in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.

  Source: [1]

• Deadlines

  After you establish residency, transfer your driver license within 30 days and register your vehicle within 90 days.

  Source: [1]

• A valid license from another state

  New residents with a valid license from another state must make an appointment. Pre-registering online is recommended.

  • Bring your previous state’s license, valid or expired less than one year, or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days that shows such a license.
  • The out-of-state license is voided (hole-punched).
  • Bring the Colorado identification documents even if your out-of-state license is REAL ID.
  • You may be required to take applicable tests. If your previous license has been expired for more than one year, you must take the written permit test and other applicable testing.
  • Under 18, a DR 2460 Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship signed by the parent or legal guardian before a license employee or notary is also required.

  Source: [2] [1]

• A minor with an out-of-state permit

  A minor with an out-of-state permit must apply for a Colorado permit within 30 days of moving and visit a DMV office to get it.

  • Bring the out-of-state permit, valid or expired less than a year, or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days that shows such a permit.
  • The time you held the out-of-state permit counts toward the Colorado license requirements, but Colorado education and testing requirements by age still apply.
  • Driving hours logged in a previous state can be applied to the 50-hour requirement.

  Source: [5]

• Military and students

  Active-duty military members with a valid out-of-state driver license are not required to get a Colorado license. Students are exempt if they are temporarily in Colorado for education, hold a valid home-state license and are treated as non-residents for tuition.

  Source: [4] [1]

• A license from another country

  Colorado has reciprocity for licenses from Canada, France, Germany, the Republic of South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. A U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid license from one of these countries does not need a permit or the written and driving skills tests, but still needs an appointment.

  • Reciprocity does not cover applicants who only have an out-of-country permit.
  • Japanese applicants must be Japanese nationals and present a Verification Certificate of Driver License from the Consul General of Japan in Denver, issued within 3 months before the appointment.
  • Taiwan applicants bring an official statement from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver confirming the license is valid, with a translation.
  • Motorcycle and commercial endorsements from other countries do not transfer. They must be applied for and tested separately.
  • After more than a year without a U.S. driver license, a person from abroad should expect a written test, a permit, a driving test and a new license.

  Source: [5] [6]

Sources

1. Welcome to Colorado (new residents) (dmv.colorado.gov) — Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.colorado.gov)
2. Required Identification Documents to Get Your Permit, Driver License, Identification Card, or CDL (dmv.colorado.gov) — Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.colorado.gov)
3. Pre-registration: Get Ready For Your First DMV Visit (dmv.colorado.gov) — Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.colorado.gov)
4. Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24, "January 2025") (dmv.colorado.gov) — Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.colorado.gov)
5. Colorado Permits and First-Time Driver License (dmv.colorado.gov) — Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.colorado.gov)
6. Out-of-Country: Getting a Colorado Driver License (dmv.colorado.gov) — Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.colorado.gov)