Colorado Motor Vehicle Handbook

2024 | Research Publication No. 812

Legislative Council Sta

Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature

Prepared by Adam Alemzada, April Bernard, Colin Gaiser,

Erin Reynolds, Lauren Morgan, Hamza Syed,

and Nina Forbes

Since 1992, Colorado has oered the innovative motor vehicle income tax credit for people

who purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles, or who convert their existing vehicle to run

on an alternative fuel source. Currently, qualifying vehicle types include electric vehicles and

plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles. Vehicle conversions no longer receive a credit. Electric and

plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles are propelled by an electric motor with a battery or a fuel cell

that converts a mix of oxygen and hydrogen to electricity. The credit is worth up to $7,500 for

passenger vehicles and more for trucks. For additional information, consult a dealership. The

table below outlines the tax credits for the purchase or lease of qualifying vehicles.

State Income Tax Credits for Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Light Duty Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric

Trucks**

Any MSRP

$5,000 $3,500 $1,500 $1,000

Medium Duty Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric

Trucks****

Any MSRP

Heavy Duty Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric

Trucks***

Any MSRP

Source: Sections 39‑22‑516.7 and 39‑22‑516.8, C.R.S.

Mandatory Automobile Insurance in Colorado

Automobile owners in Colorado are required to carry liability insurance. Liability insurance

covers bodily injury to another person or property damage to another's vehicle or property

when the insured is at fault for an accident. The following minimum coverages are required by

the state, although higher coverages may be purchased:

Self-insurance. Any individual who has over 25 vehicles registered to his or her name may

qualify as a self‑insurer by applying for a certicate of self‑insurance from the state Insurance

losses caused by a hit‑and‑run driver, a driver with no automobile insurance, or a driver of an

underinsured vehicle. UM/UIM coverage takes the place of the insurance the other driver should

have purchased, or protects the insured when the at‑fault driver's vehicle is insured, but the

bodily injury liability limits of his or her policy are less than the limits of the insured's UM/UIM

coverage. This coverage does not protect the other driver, and it does not cover damage to the

insured's vehicle. Under current law, all insurers in the state must provide UM/UIM coverage in

an amount equal to the policyholder's current level of liability coverage for bodily injury, unless

this coverage is waived by the policyholder in writing. A policyholder making such a rejection

may opt to carry a lower level of coverage or reject coverage completely.

faced with high deductibles, copayments, or other signicant medical costs. As a supplement

to health insurance, or in the event the individual does not have health insurance, medical

payments coverage can be purchased as part of an automobile insurance package. This

coverage pays for medical expenses, including copayments or deductibles, for the insured

vehicle driver and passengers, regardless of fault. Insurers generally oer medical payments

coverage at a minimum of $5,000. Additional coverage may be purchased.

Automobile Insurance Resources

The Division of Insurance in DORA maintains a variety of automobile insurance resources on the

DORA website.

A person commits motor vehicle theft in the second degree if they take, operate, receive, or

retain the vehicle of another person and:

A person commits motor vehicle theft in the third degree if the person knowingly:

Zero emissions. The oce is responsible for statewide goals to reduce GHG emissions and

strategies for the transportation sector to meet those goals.

Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

The Department of Public Health and Environment includes the Motor Vehicle Emissions

Program within the Air Pollution Control Division, which administers programs designed to

Penalties for Improper Cell Phone Use While Driving

$150‑$300, 10‑90

days, or both

Bodily Injury or Proximate Cause

Of Death to Another, Class 1

Misdemeanor

4

$300‑$1,000, 10

days‑one year

imprisonment, or

both.

Source. Section 42‑4‑239, C.R.S.

license or instruction permit. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers the required

physical, vision, physical aptitude, written, and driving tests. Applicants for a driver license,

identication card, or instruction permit must provide proof of age, identity, and lawful presence

in the United States (see the Real ID Act subsection for more information on this requirement).

Driver licenses are categorized by vehicle type and by age group. Vehicle type licenses include:

personal/passenger, motorcycle, and commercial. Age group licenses include adult and minor.

Visit the DMV's website for more information on driver licenses. Use this map of state DMVs

to nd the DMV closest to you. DMV appointments for nearly all locations may be scheduled

online.

Minor Drivers

Anyone older than 21 with a valid driver license who provided driver instruction may sign a

foster child’s driver log. Individuals include aunts, uncles, grandparents, mentors, faith leaders,

and others if they provided driver instruction.

Driver education. In Colorado, a driver education course is required for minors between 15

and 16 to obtain a minor's instruction permit. The course must include a minimum of six hours

behind‑the‑wheel driving training with a certied education instructor. If no entity oers this

type of training from a permanent location within 30 miles of the permit holder's address,

or if the entity is open less than 20 hours a week, the minor driver may receive 12 hours

Driver education programs must be approved by DOR. Visit DOR's website for a list of approved

driver education schools.

The table below summarizes the requirements for minor drivers to obtain a driver license.

15½ to 16

*Age groups represent the earliest age individuals can participate in educational programs. Individuals older than the

ages listed for each category may also enroll.

The DMV maintains information related to minor driver licenses on its website. The Passenger

and Curfew Laws for Minor Drivers section of this handbook explains these laws related to minor

drivers on the road.

Driver License Renewal

document, and the license may take up to 30 business days to be delivered. Males between the

ages of 18 to 25 will automatically be registered for selective service when renewing online. If

you are registered to vote in Colorado, your voter registration will automatically update with the

to pass a written exam, purchase an instruction permit, and successfully pass the drive skills test

before purchasing a new license.

must visit an oce.

Commercial Driver Licenses

the required CDL knowledge tests, and Entry Level Driver Training from an approved school.

Commercial driver instruction permits are valid for 180 days and may be renewed once for an

additional 180 days.

Persons may also test to receive CDL endorsements to operate double or triple trailers,

passenger vehicles, tanker vehicles, vehicles hauling hazardous materials, school buses, or

hazardous materials/tanker combination vehicles. Persons holding a CDL instruction permit may

only operate the class of vehicle shown on the permit when accompanied by a person who is

at least 21 years of age and who holds a valid CDL of the same class of license or higher, with

Types of Commercial Driver Licenses

as tractor‑trailer or truck and trailer combinations. Skills

for operating a Class A vehicle include those required for

operating a Class B or Class C vehicle. Therefore, a driver

holding a Class A license may also operate a Class B or

Class C vehicle.

Class B Heavy Straight Vehicles

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating

(GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle

towing a vehicle with a GVWR not greater than 10,000

pounds. Class B vehicles include straight trucks and large

does not meet the denition of Class A or Class B, but is

designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including

the driver. Class C vehicles also include any vehicle used

to transport hazardous materials as dened by the federal

hazardous material regulation.

Disability Identier on License or ID

House Bill 21‑1014, the Disability Symbol Identication Document Act, allows Coloradans

who might not be able to eectively communicate with rst responders due to a cognitive,

neurological, mental health, sensory needs, chronic illness, chronic pain and/or physical

the applicant on le. If the SSA has a middle initial on le, the applicant will not be approved for

a Colorado driver license or identication card and will need to update his or her information

with the SSA to include the full middle name before a license or identication card can be

LSEVs can only operate on a roadway that has a speed limit of 35 mph or less, but they may

cross a roadway with a speed limit of greater than 35 mph at an at‑grade crossing. LSEVs are not

allowed on limited‑access highways.

LSEVs can operate on or cross a state highway with a speed limit of 40 mph if:

LSEVs are titled and registered as tax class C vehicles, and registration fees for LSEVs are the

same as other passenger vehicles of the same size and weight.

of 25 to 45 mph, and are only permitted to be on roads with 45 mph. They may cross a roadway

that has a speed limit above 45 miles per hour in an at‑grade crossing.

the U.S. Department of Transportation adopts motor vehicle safety standards for LSEVs that

authorize operation at greater than 25 mph and less than 45 mph.

Motorcycles

drive either a two‑wheeled or three‑wheeled vehicle. The "3" endorsement permits the operator

to drive only three‑wheeled vehicles. There are two ways to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.

The rst method requires an operator to pass a written exam, purchase a motorcycle instruction

permit, and pass a driving test. If the operator seeks the "M" endorsement, the driving test must

be taken on a two‑wheeled vehicle. If the operator seeks the "3" endorsement, then the driving

test is taken on a three‑wheeled vehicle. The second method requires an operator to complete

a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course and present their original Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Card in a driver license oce.

Motorcycles must meet motor vehicle registration and insurance requirements, but are exempt

from emissions testing requirements. Persons under the age of 18 may not operate or ride on a

Training (MOST) program, which is funded by a $2 surcharge for a motorcycle endorsement on a

driver license and a $4 surcharge on the registration of a motorcycle. For information about the

training program, visi. CDPS' MOST page.

Autocycles. An autocycle is a three‑wheeled motor vehicle. Drivers and passengers ride in a

fully or partly enclosed seating area that is equipped with safety belts for all occupants. An

autocycle is not a motorcycle. A driver does not need a motorcycle endorsement on his or her

driver license to operate an autocycle, but must possess a driver license. Additionally, autocycles

are no longer subject to a $2 license fee and $4 registration fee for motorcycle operator safety

training, but will otherwise continue to pay the same taxes and fees for licensing, titling and

For information about the laws and regulations governing the motor vehicle and powersports

O‑highway vehicles (OHVs) include motorcycles, dirt bikes, three‑wheelers, ATVs, surplus

military vehicles, and dune buggies that are operated on public lands and trails in Colorado.

OHVs must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. All OHVs owned and operated in

Colorado must display current registration stickers when in an OHV staging area or operated on

designated trails or routes. OHVs from out of state must also display a current Colorado OHV

use permit sticker. The annual registration fee is $25.25, and registrations are valid from April 1

to March 31 every year.

requiring OHV operations to:

Ordinances will vary by county. For example, on the Alpine Loop Trail in southwest Colorado,

which cuts through Hinsdale, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties, all OHV operators are

required to possess a valid driver license and carry liability insurance.

Unless a minor driver's parent or legal guardian is present, state law prohibits any driver under

age 18 from driving with:

Minor drivers who have not held a driver license for at least one year are also prohibited from

driving between the hours of 12:00 and 5:00 a.m. Exceptions are provided if:

A second or subsequent violation results in:

Visit the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional information about minor drivers.

Ports of Entry

The State of Colorado created its rst port of entry in 1927, primarily for tax collection purposes.

Since that time, the role of the ports of entry has expanded to include enforcement of truck size

The following vehicles are required to clear a port of entry:

Further information on ports of entry, permits, fees, and related topics can be found on the

CSP's website.

Trac Rules and Guidelines

Several Colorado municipalities have adopted a set of trac rules known as the Model Trac

Code for Colorado Municipalities, last updated in 2020, to promote a unied state policy on

rules of the road. Additional trac manuals and guidelines are available on CDOT's Trac

Manuals and Guidelines webpage.

Most of these tools are available through an interactive map that features live video and recent

snapshots of the state highway system.

Safety

Seat Belt Law

Children up to 8 years

such as a booster seat, according to the

manufacturer's instructions

8 to 15 years

Properly restrained in a safety belt or child

restraint system according to manufacturer's

instructions

State Speed Limits

Colorado law establishes speed limits for roads and highways within the state. The Colorado

Department of Transportation (CDOT) and local authorities may change the speed limit for any

road under their respective jurisdictions if the department or local authority determines that the

speed limit established by law is greater or less than what is reasonable or safe for road or trac

These fees are assessed at registration

and are credited to the AIR account. The

fees are used for emissions program

enforcement eorts and administration

of the program by the Department of

Public Health and Environment and the

Department of Revenue.

(Section 42‑3‑304 (18)(a) and (18)(b),

C.R.S.)

10 years old; an.

$5.00 for vehicles 11 years old and

older

There is a temporary reduction of these

fees through June 30, 2026. $1.00 is

credited to the Licensing Services Cash

Fund to assist in collecting late registration

credited to the Highway Users Tax Fund,

counties, and cities.

Users Tax Fund.

(Section 42‑3‑304 (21), C.R.S.)

Registration Fee

$0.50 for motor vehicles not

exempted from the Motor

Insurance Identication Fee; and

$0.10 for motor vehicles exempted

from the Motor Insurance

Identication Fee.

Identication Fee

adjusted annually

This fee is credited to Colorado State

Titling and Registration Account.

(Section 42‑1‑211 (2), C.R.S.)

Motorcycle

$4.00

This fee is collected for all motorcycle

registrations and credited to the

area and credited to the AIR account in the

Highway Users Tax Fund.

(Section 42‑3‑304 (20), C.R.S)

Training (P.O.S.T.)

Board Fee

$1.00

This fee is collected at registration on Class

A, B, and C vehicles to support the training

June 30, 2026. This fee is collected for the

maintenance of county highways, roads,

and bridges.

(Section 42‑3‑310, C.R.S.).

Vehicle Fee

$50.00

This fee is adjusted annually for ination.

$30 of the fee is credited to the Highway

Users Tax Fund, and $20 is credited to the

car and year registered

After FY 2031‑32, the fee is adjusted

for ination. The fee is credited to the

Highway Users Tax Fund, counties, and

cities.

(Section 42‑3‑304 (25)(a.5), C.R.S.)

Prepared by Legislative Council Sta

Late Vehicle Registration Fees

Failure to register a vehicle on time results in a $25‑per‑month late fee after the 90‑day

period during which initial registration was required, up to $100 total. Vehicle owners must

The Public Utilities Commission oversees towing and vehicle booting companies. Companies

must have a permit to operate in the state. Application for a permit must include evidence of

insurance and nancial responsibility. Vehicles and facilities are subject to inspection by the

commission or State Patrol.

towing and booting, reference the sta issue brief, Vehicle Towing and Booting.

Legislative Council Sta

Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature