When Your Teen IS IN THE Driver s Seat What else should you know? Visit www.coteendriver.com up-to-date inmation on teen driving laws and links to other resources, such as insurance inmation, driving schools and where to get a driver s license. Make sure you call your family s insurance nt to find out what kind cover is available while your teen is learning to drive and when he or she becomes a licensed driver. Some companies fer discounts good grades or completing an approved driver s education course. TEEN DRIVER RESOURCES: AAA Colorado Alive at 25 Colorado Department Transportation Colorado State Patrol Colorado Department Revenue Division Motor Vehicles Rocky Mountain Insurance Inmation Association Colorado Department Public Health and Environment Colorado Department Human Services Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division www.aaacolorado.com www.aliveat25.us www.coteendriver.com www.dot.state.co.us www.csp.state.co.us (303) 205-8400 www.revenue.state.co.us/mv_dir/home.asp www.rmiia.org (303) 692-2589 (303) 866-7480 A Guide Parents TEEN DRIVING AND GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING LAWS IN COLORADO Revised 06/2007
YOUR TEEN IS IN THE DRIVER S SEAT What s your role? Colorado s GDL Laws >INSTRUCTION PERMIT >RESTRICTED LICENSE >FULL PRIVILEGE LICENSE When your teen is in the driver s seat, you re far more than just a passenger. Teens face the greatest risk crashing during the first year their restricted license. One out every 5 licensed 16-year-olds will be in a motor vehicle crash. Your job is to steer your teen into a lifetime safe As a team, the two you can navigate Colorado s new laws and safety guidelines. Teens are less likely than adults to stand the risks driving because they lack experience. ir brains are still developing well into their 20s, affecting their judgment while Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause death and injury teenrs because teens lack driving experience. Colorado has implemented Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws to decrease this risk by introducing teenrs to driving in phases. This brochure explains those phases and suggests tips keeping your teen safe when he or she is in the driver s seat. What parents should do: Know the 3 Sts Colorado s Graduated Driver Licensing Law. Supervise your teen s Set family driving rules and limits by creating a Parent/Teen Contract. Impose consequences violations. Talk to other parents. By doing so, you ll know: You are being a responsible parent who is keeping your teen safe in the driver s seat.
> PHASE 1 Impose Consequences Instruction Violations Permit All new drivers 18 require a parent/legal Colorado s guardian s laws and your signed family s Affidavit rules Liability to get an instruction permit, are meant to keep your teen driver which allows them to drive - with restrictions - the supervision and everyone a parent else or guardian. on the Whoever road signs safe. the affidavit is responsible any financial liability. But the laws won t work unless they are enced. How Law old encement must my will teen do be its part to get to ence an instruction state laws, permit? and you must do yours to ence consequences 15-year-olds violations family who have rules. completed and passed the classroom portion a state-approved driver s education course within 6 months applying their permit Primary may and apply. secondary fenses. Teens Law encement who are 15 can years only and stop 6 months and cite to you 16 years a and primary have fense. completed If ficers a 4-hour have driver pulled awareness you over a course primary may fense, apply. they can also cite you a All secondary 16-year-olds fense. may Seatbelt apply. violations are a primary fense teens 18. All other GDL violations What are the laws teens with a permit? Teens are secondary the fenses. 18 Violations may not can drive result with in anyone fines, except accumulation their driving points instructor, on your parent, driver s legal license, guardian or community a licensed service adult 21 and/or years loss your or older license. who is authorized by the parent or legal guardian. Teens 18 and older may drive with any licensed driver 21 years or older who holds a valid Colorado driver s license. law prohibits the use cell phones while driving with an instruction permit. That means no talking or Restricted texting. License penalties seatbelt and passenger restriction After my violations teen has a permit, what does he or she need to do bee applying a driver s license? Hours License Violation Hold an instruction Fine permit at Community least one year. Suspension Log 50 hours driving time with Service an authorized, Points licensed parent, legal guardian or alternate permit 1st supervisor. Offense Ten Up those to $50hours must 8 to be 24nighttime 2 2nd Any Offense minor issued Up a to driver s $100 education 16 to permit 40 (the 2 permit minors 15 years up to 15 years and 6 Subsequent months) on or after April 23, 2007, must complete Offense behind-the-wheel training $150 prior to 16 applying to 40 their 2 driver s license. For details, go to If www.coteendriver.com a accumulates or 6 or contact more your points local through Driver s 18, License Office. his or her license may be revoked. > PHASE 2 Restricted License DID YOU KNOW? Under Colorado Parent-imposed penalties law, parents can Listen After or fulfilling lose. Make the instruction have permit their teen s consequences requirements, relate teens to losing may apply license a driving privileges with the length driver s license. revoked. time dependent on the seriousness the violation. For example, if This caught first with driver s a passenger, license is take a restricted the car keys license, away the only a week. type license they may receive until they turn 18. Make consequences known. Set consequences A common restricted violations license means: bee they occur so your teen knows No what passengers to expect. Some common 21 until violations: driver has carrying held a a passenger driver s license 21 years at least six within months. the first No 6 more months than one licensure, passenger coming home after 21 curfew, until speeding, driver has being held untruthful a driver s about license his or her at whereabouts, least one not year. wearing (Siblings a seatbelt. and passengers with medical emergencies are exceptions.) All passengers with drivers 18 must wear seatbelts. This is DID YOU KNOW? a primary, enced law. Only one passenger Remember! may ride Download in the front seat. a Parent/Teen een majority No driving between midnight crashes happen Driving Contract at and 5 a.m. until teen has between 9 p.m. had a www.coteendriver.com driver s license at and midnight. least one year, unless accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian. For exceptions, go to www.coteendriver.com. No drinking and Colorado has a ZERO TOLERANCE law minor drivers. Obey all traffic laws. Carry pro insurance. Buckle up. Seatbelts save lives.
Set Family > PHASE 3 Driving Full Rules Privilege and License Limits Upon turning 18, the teen is issued a full privilege license and state restrictions Colorado are Most removed. families set rules has set laws young around teen drivers. Parents need to Teens with strong family determine their own family rules have fewer rules in addition to the state crashes. laws. Make sure both sets rules are clear from the start. Driving Rules Your Family Create a written contract with your teen. A Parent/Teen Contract reduces teens exposure to the riskiest driving conditions: 1.) Teen passengers 2.) Driving at night 3.) Unsafe roads 4.) Weather conditions Download a Parent/Teen Contract at www.coteendriver.com Choose an appropriate vehicle your teen driver. Mid- to full-size sedans and wagons with airbags are safest. Under certain conditions, DID YOU SUVs KNOW? and small trucks may be more likely to roll over than other types vehicles. Your teen may not need to be added to your Require a full report. auto insurance policy until Require inmation about each trip bee your teen your teen receives his or her leaves, including where your teen is going, with whom and when he or she will return. restricted license. However, you should let Consider setting an your earlier insurance driving curfew, company especially the first 6 months. know Set that clear your expectations teen and ensure your teen obeys the state laws. is starting to drive. Supervise your teen s Your teen is in the driver s seat. But as Limit distractions. a parent, you still have a lot steering New drivers need to focus. Minimize things that might draw to do. their attention away from Consider prohibiting Learning to drive is a complex, ongoing process that requires cell phone patience us; and dedication. So is teaching someone eating and to drive. drinking; adjusting the radio/cd player; passenger law requires horseplay. a minimum 50 hours practice driving bee your teen can even apply a license. Don t Here are let tips your teen making drive those when hours tired. productive and Sleep-related pleasant. crashes are most common in young people. Teach your teen to recognize when he or she is too Practice tired to drive. a lot. Limit passengers. Practice as much as possible. It s best to practice Don t with just let you your and teen your drive teen in when the vehicle. overly emotional. Tell your teen not to drive when he or she is highly emotional, Get in the regardless mood. whether angry, happy or Only sad. practice when you are both ready, in good moods and have plenty time. Ence the passenger restriction law. Start simple. Prohibit riding with someone who has Learning to drive can be overwhelming your used teen and alcohol you. Begin or drugs. with the basics, such as turning, parking and backing up. When you both feel comtable, progress to more advanced skills including merging, changing lanes and parallel parking. For 16 and 17-yearolds, carrying just one Start sunny. Begin practicing during the day, in good weather. As passenger increases your teen improves, gradually start driving during different driving conditions, including the crash a variety risk by times day, weather and types about roads. 50%.
Be a good role model. Practicing supervision builds confidence, reinces good Go to class. habits and builds a Find a class that foundation safe teaches parents how to drive with their teen. Talk Driving with Timeyour teen. Keep the lines communication open so your teen feels comtable talking with you. This builds trust and respect. Take deep breaths. Remember, new drivers need a lot practice. Making mistakes is part learning. Remain calm and focused. Teens will show the greatest improvement in the first 1,000 to 5,000 miles the Affidavit Liability and Guardianship, m DR 2460, or als prior to signing. driving experience is true and accurate. tructor Minimum 50 hours Minimum 10 hours Drive Time Log REMIND YOUR TEEN OF THESE TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING: USE Buckle THIS up. LOG to track your Adjust mirrors and seats bee turning on the teen s 50 hours practice driving vehicle. including Turn on 10 your hours headlights, at night. day and night, safety. Stop completely at stop signs and red lights. Brake smoothly and avoid slamming on the brakes. YOUR When INSTRUCTION stopping behind PERMIT... another car, stay at a If you distance are from which 18, you must can see comply the tires with the the following vehicle requirements: in front you. You must When be proceeding 16 years from to be a stop: issued look an instruction left, right, permit unless straight ahead, then left again bee moving. you have completed and passed the classroom portion an approved When driver s backing education up, do course, not rely then on you the may rear be view issued an instruction mirror. permit Always at the turn and 15 look years. directly You must behind submit you. pro completion, Check along all directions with your identification, to make sure at the time way you is clear. apply the permit. Or, if you Remain have 15 completed feet away a State-approved from trucks on 4-hour all sides. driver If awareness you can t course, see then truck you drivers may be in issued their a mirrors, permit at they 15 years/6 months. can t You see must you submit either. pro completion, along with your identification, at the time you apply the permit. Speed increases braking distance: If you double You are required to hold your first instruction permit at least twelve your months speed, and be quadruple at least 16 your years braking distance. bee you can get a driver's license in Colorado. This means that if you get your permit on your Vehicle 15th birthday, weight you increases will have braking to hold distance: the permit until your 16th birthday greater bee the vehicle you can weight, apply the the greater license. the breaking Bee distance. you can be issued your driver s license, you are required, by law, to complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training if you were issued In Winter your driver s and education Wet Conditions: permit or after April 23, 2007, and you were the 15/6 months at the time you were issued your permit. BTW training can be administered two ways: Maintain you can take traction: 6 hours Start with and a driving stop instructor gradually from and a department-approved drive at steady school speeds. or, if there isn t a driving school that fers BTW training at least 20 hours per week with an address that is within Skids: 30 miles If your the vehicle permit begins holder s to residence, skid, remove you may your complete foot 12 from hours the with accelerator a parent, guardian or brake, or and alternate steer permit in the supervisor. direction the skid. At the time you apply your driver's license, you are required, by law, to Braking: submit a Be log gentle your with driving brake experience. pressure during log sheet must show slippery a minimum road total conditions. 50 hours, Avoid with 10 braking hours on those curves 50 hours having been at night. Drive Time Log Sheet is used any time you drive. by driving appropriate through them box is at filled a safe, in by the steady parent/guardian speed. driving Gear with you down or by the both driver uphill authorized and downhill by your parent/guardian to accompany you while you are y will fill in the date, the total drive time, the amount night driving (if any) and their initials. Comments section is optional licensing purposes, but is useful you to track your progress. Drive Time Log Sheet is the only log sheet acceptable as pro the required 50 hours driving experience, unless the log sheet you are presenting is from a state-approved Commercial Driving School, Driver Education or 3rd party testing organization. 50-hour total may include For your more BTW training, driving if administered tips, go by your to driver s ed teacher or the person who signed your Affidavit Liability you to get your permit. www.coteendriver.com You may make photocopies the log sheet if you need more than one to complete your 50 hours.
When you have reached your required totals, your parent, stepparent, guardian or grandparent with Power Attorney (the same person that signed the DR 2460, Affidavit Liability and Guardianship, you to get your permit) or your driver education instructor must then verify total driving time and total night driving time on your log sheet(s). se totals are entered on the appropriate lines on the back the last log sheet. parent/guardian or driver education instructor will then sign and date only the back the log sheet that has the final completed totals. Once you have held your instruction permit at least twelve months and are at least 16 years, you are eligible to apply your license. You will need to bring the completed original Drive Time Log Sheet(s) with you when you come in. You must submit the completed Drive Time Log Sheet at the time you apply your license. If your parent/guardian/alternate permit supervisor administered the required behind-the-wheel training, they will complete the back a DR2460, the Affidavit Completion a Driver Education Classroom Course or BTW. Reminder, drive tests at driver's license fices are by appointment only. Effective August 8, 2005, regardless your, if you are driving with an instruction permit you cannot use a mobile communication device (example: a cell phone) while you are driving unless you are trying to contact the police or fire department, it is an emergency or you have parked your vehicle. Student Name Permit Number YOUR DRIVER S LICENSE... When you are issued your driver's license, if you are the 18, there are still a few things you need to be aware. law does not allow you to carry a passenger the 21 until you have held your license at least 6 months. And, you can t carry more than one passenger 21 until you ve held your license at least one year. exceptions to this are if your parent/guardian is with you, or there is an adult passenger 21 or older who has a valid license and has held that license at least one year, or the passenger 21 needs emergency medical assistance or is a member your immediate family. While you are 18, you cannot drive between the hours 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless you have held your license at least one year. exceptions to this are if your parent/guardian is with you, or there is an adult passenger 21 or older who has a valid license and has held that license at least one year, or it is an emergency, or you are an emancipated minor with a valid license. You may drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. if it s to a school or school-authorized activity where the school doesn t provide transportation. You will need a signed statement from the school ficial showing the date the activity. And, you may drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m., if it s to and from work. You must carry a signed statement from your employer verifying your employment. While you are the 18, when you carry any allowed passengers, everyone riding with you must wear their seat belt. Only one passenger can ride in the front seat with you. You can only carry as many passengers in the back seat as there are seat belts. Once you reach 18 years, these restrictions will no longer apply to you. Your license expires 20 days after your 21st birthday. Have a safe journey and we will see you when you turn 21.
TOTALS Be a good role Night model. Driving Talk with your teen. Keep the lines communication open so your teen feels comtable talking with you. This builds Driving trust Timeand respect. Take deep breaths. Remember, new drivers need a lot practice. Making mistakes is part learning. Remain calm and focused. Teens will show the greatest improvement in the first 1,000 to 5,000 miles verifying signature must be from one the signers the Affidavit Liability and Guardianship, m DR 2460, or from the driver Education Instructor. Please check all totals prior to signing. BY SIGNING BELOW, I certify that the above total hours driving experience is true and accurate. Signed Parent/Guardian or Driver Education Instructor Go to class. Find Driving a class Time that teaches parents how to drive with their teen. Minimum 50 hours Practicing supervision builds confidence, reinces good habits and builds a foundation safe Minimum 10 hours Drive Time Log REMIND YOUR TEEN OF THESE TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING: USE Buckle THIS up. LOG to track your teen s Adjust 50 mirrors hours and practice seats bee driving turning on the vehicle. including 10 hours at night. Turn on your headlights, day and night, safety. Stop completely at stop signs and red lights. Brake smoothly and avoid slamming on the brakes. YOUR INSTRUCTION PERMIT... When stopping behind another car, stay at a If you are 18, you must comply with the distance from which you can see the tires the following requirements: vehicle in front you. You must be 16 years to be issued an instruction permit unless When proceeding from a stop: look left, right, you have straight completed ahead, and then passed left the again classroom bee portion moving. an approved When driver s backing education up, do course, not rely then on you the may rear be view issued an instruction permit at the 15 years. You must submit pro completion, mirror. along Always with turn your identification, and look directly at the behind time you you. apply the permit. Check all directions to make sure the way is clear. Or, if you Remain have completed 15 feet away a State-approved from trucks 4-hour on all sides. driver If awareness course, then you may be issued a permit at 15 years/6 months. you You can t must see submit truck pro drivers completion, in their mirrors, along with they your identification, can t see at the you time either. you apply the permit. You are Speed required increases to hold your braking first instruction distance: permit If you double at least twelve your months speed, and be quadruple at least 16 your years braking bee distance. you can get a driver's license in Colorado. This means that if you get your permit on your Vehicle 15th birthday, weight you increases will have braking to hold the distance: permit until your 16th birthday bee you can apply the license. greater the vehicle weight, the greater the breaking Bee distance. you can be issued your driver s license, you are required, by law, to complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training if you were issued your driver s education permit on or after April 23, 2007, and you In were Winter and the Wet 15/6 Conditions: months at the time you were issued your permit. BTW training can be administered two ways: you can take 6 hours with a driving instructor from a department-approved Maintain traction: school Start or, and if there stop isn t gradually a driving school and that fers BTW drive training at steady at least speeds. 20 hours per week with an address that is within 30 miles the permit holder s residence, you may complete Skids: 12 hours If your with vehicle a parent, begins guardian to skid, or alternate remove permit your supervisor. foot from the accelerator or brake, and steer in the At the direction time you apply the skid. your driver's license, you are required, by law, to submit a log your driving experience. log sheet must show a Braking: minimum Be total gentle 50 with hours, brake with 10 pressure hours during those 50 hours having slippery been at night. road conditions. Drive Time Avoid Log braking Sheet is on used curves any time you drive. by driving appropriate through box them is filled at a safe, in by the steady parent/guardian speed. driving with you or by the driver authorized by your parent/guardian to accompany Gear down you while both you uphill are and downhill y will fill in the date, the total drive time, the amount night driving (if any) and their initials. Comments section is optional licensing purposes, but is useful you to track your progress. Drive Time Log Sheet is the only log sheet acceptable as pro the required 50 hours driving experience, unless the log sheet you are presenting is from a state-approved Commercial Driving School, Driver Education or 3rd party testing organization. 50-hour total may include your BTW training, if administered by your driver s ed teacher or the For person more who signed driving your Affidavit tips, go Liability to you to get your permit. You may make photocopies the log sheet if you need more www.coteendriver.com than one to complete your 50 hours.
Set Family > PHASE 3 Driving Full Rules Privilege and License Limits Upon turning 18, the teen is issued a full privilege license and state restrictions Colorado are Most removed. families set rules has set laws young around teen drivers. Parents need to Teens with strong family determine their own family rules have fewer rules in addition to the state crashes. laws. Make sure both sets rules are clear from the start. Driving Rules Your Family Create a written contract with your teen. A Parent/Teen Contract reduces teens exposure to the riskiest driving conditions: 1.) Teen passengers 2.) Driving at night 3.) Unsafe roads 4.) Weather conditions Download a Parent/Teen Contract at www.coteendriver.com Choose an appropriate vehicle your teen driver. Mid- to full-size sedans and wagons with airbags are safest. Under certain conditions, DID YOU SUVs KNOW? and small trucks may be more likely to roll over than other types vehicles. Your teen may not need to be added to your Require a full report. auto insurance policy until Require inmation about each trip bee your teen your teen receives his or her leaves, including where your teen is going, with whom and when he or she will return. restricted license. However, you should let Consider setting an your earlier insurance driving company curfew, especially the first 6 months. know Set that clear your expectations teen and ensure your teen obeys the state laws. is starting to drive. Supervise your teen s Your teen is in the driver s seat. But as Limit distractions. a parent, you still have a lot steering New drivers need to focus. Minimize things that might draw to do. their attention away from Consider prohibiting Learning to drive is a complex, ongoing process that requires cell phone patience us; and dedication. So is teaching someone eating and to drive. drinking; adjusting the radio/cd player; passenger law requires horseplay. a minimum 50 hours practice driving bee your teen can even apply a license. Don t Here are let tips your teen making drive those when hours tired. productive and Sleep-related pleasant. crashes are most common in young people. Teach your teen to recognize when he or she is too Practice tired to drive. a lot. Limit passengers. Practice as much as possible. It s best to practice Don t with just let you your and teen your drive teen in when the vehicle. overly emotional. Tell your teen not to drive when he or she is highly emotional, Get in the regardless mood. whether angry, happy or Only sad. practice when you are both ready, in good moods and have plenty time. Ence the passenger restriction law. Start simple. Prohibit riding with someone who has Learning to drive can be overwhelming your used teen and alcohol you. Begin or drugs. with the basics, such as turning, parking and backing up. When you both feel comtable, progress to more advanced skills including merging, changing lanes and parallel parking. For 16 and 17-yearolds, carrying just one Start sunny. Begin practicing during the day, in good weather. As passenger increases your teen improves, gradually start driving during different driving conditions, including the crash a variety risk by times day, weather and types about roads. 50%.
> PHASE 1 Impose Consequences Instruction Violations Permit All new drivers 18 require a parent/legal Colorado s laws guardian s and your signed family s Affidavit rules Liability to get an instruction permit, are meant to keep your teen driver which allows them to drive - with restrictions - the supervision and everyone a parent else or guardian. on the Whoever road safe. signs the affidavit is responsible any financial liability. But the laws won t work unless they are enced. How Law old encement must my will teen do its be part to to get ence an instruction state laws, permit? and you must do yours to ence consequences violations 15-year-olds family who rules. have completed and passed the classroom portion a state-approved driver s education course within 6 months applying their Primary permit may and apply. secondary fenses. Law Teens encement who are 15 can years only and stop 6 and months cite to you 16 years a primary and have fense. completed If ficers a 4-hour have driver pulled awareness you over a primary course fense, may apply. they can also cite you a secondary All 16-year-olds fense. may Seatbelt apply. violations are a primary fense teens 18. All other GDL violations What are the laws teens with a permit? are Teens secondary the fenses. Violations 18 may not can drive result with in anyone fines, accumulation except their driving points instructor, on your parent, driver s legal license, guardian community or a licensed service adult and/or 21 years loss your or license. older who is authorized by the parent or legal guardian. Teens 18 and older may drive with any licensed driver 21 years or older who holds a valid Colorado driver s license. law prohibits the use cell phones while driving with an instruction permit. That means no talking or Restricted texting. License penalties seatbelt and passenger restriction After my violations teen has a permit, what does he or she need to do bee applying a driver s license? Hours License Violation Hold an instruction Fine permit Community at least one year. Suspension Log 50 hours driving time Service with an authorized, Points licensed parent, legal guardian or alternate permit 1st Offense supervisor. Ten Up to those $50 hours must 8 to 24 be nighttime 2 2nd Any Offense minor issued Up to a driver s $100 education 16 to 40permit (the 2 permit minors 15 years up to 15 years and 6 Subsequent months) on or after April 23, 2007, must complete $150 16 to 40 2 Offense behind-the-wheel training prior to applying their driver s license. For details, go to If www.coteendriver.com a accumulates 6 or contact more points your local through Driver s 18, License Office. his or her license may be revoked. > PHASE 2 Restricted License DID YOU KNOW? Under Colorado law, parents can Parent-imposed penalties After Listen fulfilling or lose. Make the instruction have permit their teen s requirements, consequences relate teens to losing may apply license a driving privileges with the length driver s license. revoked. time dependent on the seriousness the violation. For example, This if caught first driver s with a passenger, license is a take restricted the car license, keys away the only a type week. license they may receive until they turn 18. Make consequences known. Set consequences A restricted common license violations means: bee they occur so your teen knows No passengers what to expect. Some common 21 until violations: driver has carrying held a driver s passenger license 21 at years least six months. within the No first more 6 months than one licensure, passenger coming home after 21 curfew, until speeding, driver has being held untruthful a driver s about license his or her at whereabouts, least one year. not wearing (Siblings a seatbelt. and passengers with medical emergencies are exceptions.) All passengers with drivers 18 must wear seatbelts. This is DID YOU KNOW? a primary, enced law. Only one passenger Remember! may ride in Download the front seat. a Parent/Teen een majority No driving between midnight crashes happen Driving Contract at and 5 a.m. until teen has between 9 p.m. had a driver s www.coteendriver.com license at and midnight. least one year, unless accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian. For exceptions, go to www.coteendriver.com. No drinking and Colorado has a ZERO TOLERANCE law minor drivers. Obey all traffic laws. Carry pro insurance. Buckle up. Seatbelts save lives.