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Colorado Permit Practice Test
20 real questions from our handbook-verified Colorado bank · Updated July 12, 2026
The official Colorado knowledge test has 25 questions — you can miss 5 and still pass (80%). That 80% bar ties Colorado with 35 other states at #7 strictest of the 50 states. Colorado offers the real exam in Spanish — practica en español aquí.
The real Colorado exam format — this practice test scores you against the same 80% bar.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. Colorado has how many separate impaired-driving offenses based on the level of impairment?
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Correct answer: Two — DWAI and DUI
A driver may be convicted of either DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) or DUI (Driving Under the Influence), depending on the level of the driver’s mental or physical impairment.
2. What is the minimum age to operate a motor vehicle on Colorado public streets and highways with a valid driver license?
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Correct answer: 16 or older
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle, motor-driven cycle or moped on Colorado public streets and highways must be 16 or older and have a valid driver license. (Younger drivers may drive on an instruction permit under supervision.)
3. Before you leave a parked vehicle, you should always:
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Correct answer: Set the parking (emergency) brake and remove the ignition key
Whenever you leave a parked vehicle, set the emergency brake and remove the ignition key. Leave an automatic in park, or a manual in gear, so it cannot roll.
4. Under Colorado’s Move Over Law, when you approach any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazard lights flashing, you must:
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Correct answer: Move over one lane if you can do so safely
The Move Over Law applies to any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazards flashing. You must move over one lane if you can do so safely.
5. What is the most important thing to understand about right-of-way law?
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Correct answer: The law says who must yield; it does not give anyone the right-of-way, and you are always responsible for avoiding a crash
The law states who must yield the right-of-way, but it does not give anyone the right-of-way, even if your signal is green. You must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers already in an intersection you are approaching.
6. To control your speed while driving down a steep mountain grade, you should:
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Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear
Shift to lower gears to control your speed when driving down steep hills or mountains. Riding the brakes the whole way can overheat them and cause brake failure.
7. When passing a bicyclist, Colorado law requires you to allow a clearance of at least:
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Correct answer: 3 feet
When passing a bicyclist, including one in a bike lane, you must give a minimum of 3 feet between the outermost part of your vehicle and the bicyclist.
8. A steady red traffic light means:
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Correct answer: Stop until a green light appears
A steady red light means stop until a green light appears. After stopping and yielding, and if not prohibited by a sign, you may turn right on red — or turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
9. Why is speed such an important safety factor?
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Correct answer: Speed is the greatest factor influencing the severity of a crash
Speed is the greatest factor influencing the severity of a crash. Many fatal collisions on Colorado highways involve motorists driving too fast.
10. In urban areas, how far before a turn or lane change must you signal continuously?
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Correct answer: 100 feet
In urban areas you must signal continuously for 100 feet before making a turn or lane change. Failure to signal is a traffic violation.
11. DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) means the driver is:
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Correct answer: Impaired to the slightest degree
DWAI means the driver is impaired to the slightest degree. It is a separate, lesser offense than DUI, which means the driver is substantially incapable of safe driving.
12. Once you become a Colorado resident, how long do you have to obtain a Colorado driver license?
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Correct answer: Within 30 days
A new resident must get a Colorado driver license within 30 days of becoming a resident (with limited exceptions for active-duty military, their dependents, and out-of-state students).
13. When you park a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you should leave it in:
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Correct answer: Park
Leave a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park. If it has a standard (manual) transmission, leave it in low gear when headed uphill and in reverse when headed downhill.
14. Under the Move Over Law, if you cannot move over safely or the road has one lane in each direction, you must:
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Correct answer: Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit
If it is not safe to move over, or you are on a road with one lane in each direction, you must slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
15. At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way?
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Correct answer: The vehicle that reached the intersection first
At a four-way stop you must yield to the vehicle that reached the intersection first.
16. On a narrow mountain road, who has the right-of-way?
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Correct answer: The vehicle going uphill
On a narrow mountain road, vehicles going uphill have the right-of-way over vehicles going downhill, because it is harder for an uphill vehicle to stop and restart on the grade.
17. To give a bicyclist the required 3 feet, you may cross a double yellow center line:
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Correct answer: When there is no oncoming traffic and it is safe
It is legal to cross a double yellow line with no oncoming traffic if necessary to provide a bicyclist the minimum 3 feet of passing distance.
18. A steady yellow traffic light means:
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Correct answer: A red light is about to appear; stop unless you are already in the intersection
A steady yellow light means a red light is about to appear. Stop unless you are already in the intersection.
19. What does a maximum speed limit sign represent?
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Correct answer: The maximum speed allowed in ideal conditions
Speed limit signs show the maximum speed allowed in ideal conditions. You must slow down when weather, traffic, or road conditions require it.
20. On four-lane highways where the posted limit is faster than 40 mph, how far before a turn or lane change must you signal?
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Correct answer: 200 feet
On four-lane highways where the posted speed limit is faster than 40 mph, you must signal for 200 feet before making a turn or lane change.
📱 These 20 questions are a warm-up. PermitPal for iPhone and iPad drills the full handbook-verified Colorado bank of 230 questions with spaced repetition, and runs mock exams in the real 25-question format — plus motorcycle and CDL tracks. Free to start, $29.99 once.
Colorado test facts
How many questions are on the Colorado permit test?
25 questions. You need 20 correct (80%) — you can miss 5. Full details in the passing-score calculator.
What happens if I fail?
Retake scheduling varies by office — check with your local branch before you go back.
Can I take the Colorado test in Spanish?
Yes — Colorado offers the knowledge test in Spanish. Try the Spanish practice test. See which states test in Spanish.
What age can I get my permit in Colorado?
The minimum learner's permit age is 15. You'll need 50 supervised practice hours (10 at night) before the license stage. Full ladder in the permit-age lookup.