Westminster Colorado Online Driver Education and Westminster Colorado Licensing Procedures
The process of learning to drive can be a challenging one, and our job is to try to make it as simple for you as possible. The State of Westminster Colorado congratulates you on starting the process of applying for your Westminster Colorado learner's permit or first Westminster Colorado driver license!
Westminster Colorado has a graduated driver license program for Westminster Colorado drivers ages 15-18, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you don't hit any snags while applying for your Westminster Colorado driver's license. So, here we go!
Westminster Colorado Learner Permit or Westminster Colorado Driver Education Permit
The function of a Westminster Colorado learner's permit is simple: to enable you to practice driving provided you have someone 21 years or older in the seat next to you as you learn.
You can apply for a Westminster Colorado instructional permit, otherwise known as a Westminster Colorado learner's permit, when you're 15 or 16. To be eligible at 15, you'll need to enroll in a Westminster Colorado state-approved driver education program. At 15 and a half, you can apply for your Westminster Colorado instructional permit if you complete a four hour driver awareness course. If you don't want to bother with these classes, then you'll have to wait until you turn 16 to apply for a Westminster Colorado instructional permit.
There are some things you should know about applying for your permit:
- When applying, you must fill out form DR2460, available on the Westminster Colorado DMV website
- No matter what age, you'll need the necessary identification to apply
- A Westminster Colorado learner's permit is valid for 3 years
- After passing a vision test and written test with a score of 80% or higher, you will be rewarded with a Westminster Colorado learner's permit!
Westminster Colorado Teen Provisional License or Westminster Colorado Driver Awareness Permit
Once you turn 18 or have had your Westminster Colorado learner's permit at least six months (whichever comes first), you are ready to apply for your Westminster Colorado Driver Awareness Permit, the next-highest class of driver's license. In order to apply for your Westminster Colorado Driver Awareness Permit, you'll need:
- a 30 hour classroom study course (classroom or online)
- an approved Westminster Colorado driver education course lasting at least 6 hours.
- a total of 50 hours driving time (20 hours completed with a parent or guardian)
- At least 10 of those hours must be completed at night
A list of approved Westminster Colorado driver education courses can be found here. However, if you are not able to find a Westminster Colorado approved school offering at least 20 hours within 30 miles of your residence, then you may substitute 12 additional hours of driving instruction with a parent or guardian.
Before you can apply for your Westminster Colorado provisional driver license, you must also completely fill out the necessary forms and complete a 4 hour Westminster Colorado approved driver awareness program. Keep in mind that you must hold this Westminster Colorado Driver Aware license for 12 months before applying for your state of Westminster Colorado driver license.
After you've scheduled your Westminster Colorado road test, bring the required fee to your local Westminster Colorado DMV. You must provide your own car for the test. During the test, you will have to make right and left turns, signal properly, use marked and unmarked traffic lanes, back up, make a quick stop, park, and adequately perform a three-point turn. Before the test, your car will be inspected by an examiner to make sure it is in safe operating condition with the required equipment.
Westminster Colorado Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
As a new driver, your safety and that of others is our top priority. There are several restrictions on both Westminster Colorado learner's permits and Westminster Colorado driver awareness permits we need to make you aware of. Keep in mind that if you are convicted of violating any of the following rules, you may receive points on your Westminster Colorado driver's license or even face license suspension.
First of all, any driver under 18 is not allowed to drive between 12AM and 5 AM unless you are:
- an emancipated minor
- accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person over 21 who has at least 1 year of driving experience
- driving because of an emergency
- going to or from your workplace, a school sponsored or religious event.
Also, Westminster Colorado drivers under 18 can't ride with any passenger under 21 for six months after receiving their Westminster Colorado license. After a year of driving experience, you can drive with more than one passenger under 21 or more than one passenger sitting up front at any time. And of course, everyone must wear seatbelts at all times.
Westminster Colorado Auto Insurance Westminster Colorado Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Westminster Colorado drivers license, we know you'll be anxious to get on the road. But there's one more important detail: insurance. Any vehicle registered in Westminster Colorado must be covered by liability insurance. If you are found to be driving without Westminster Colorado mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined a substantial amount or receive points on your Westminster Colorado driving record (which in turn can make your insurance more costly). If you are involved in an accident and cannot provide proof of insurance, your Westminster Colorado learner's permit or Westminster Colorado provisional license could be suspend.
The minimum coverage is $25,000 for personal injury and $50,000 for total injury, and $15,000 for property damage. For more information, see the State of Westminster Colorado website on insurance requirements.
Westminster Colorado Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
Because we understand the importance of driving as a social activity for young people, it's especially important that we fill you in on the Westminster Colorado drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of a Westminster Colorado DUI, you face the following:
- Imprisonment from 5 days to 1 year
- A fine of $600 to $1000
- A public service term of 48 to 96 hours
- Your license will also be suspended for 9 months
- You will receive 12 points on your Westminster Colorado driver's license. Further Westminster Colorado DUI or DWI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Westminster Colorado license suspension or even Westminster Colorado license revocation.
In 2009, Westminster Colorado instituted a ban on text messaging for drivers of all ages. In addition, Westminster Colorado teen drivers 18 or under are prohibited from using cell phones or wireless devices while driving.
Westminster Colorado Online Driver Education
To apply for your Westminster Colorado Driver Awareness license, you must complete a 30 hour classroom study course (classroom or online), and a total of 50 hours driving time (20 hours completed with a parent or guardian), which must include at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. A list of approved Westminster Colorado driver education courses can be found here. However, remember that if there isn't a Westminster Colorado approved school offering of at least 20 hours within 30 miles of your residence, then 12 additional hours of driving instruction may be completed with a parent or guardian.