Photo: ErgoSum88, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This free Colorado permit practice test has 30 original multiple-choice questions on the Colorado Driver Handbook: signs, Colorado’s default and mountain speed limits, roundabouts, school buses, the move-over rule, DUI and DWAI, express consent, and the minor license rules. The questions are unofficial: they test the same knowledge as the Colorado DMV Driving Knowledge Test, but they are not the DMV’s questions. The DMV also offers its own Driver Handbook Practice Quiz.
Colorado written test: key facts
| Item | Colorado rule (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Topics | Road signs, driving under the influence, driving rules, safety rules and legal items from the Colorado Driver Handbook |
| Question count and pass mark | Check with the Colorado DMV |
| Where | @Home online (60 minutes, webcam, $6.50 per attempt), in a driver license office, or at an approved driving school |
| Attempts | Up to two per day; each retest carries an $11.50 state fee |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
Aim for at least 27 of 30 here. Where to test and what to bring: Colorado DMV written permit test guide.
Signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 8)
1. A red, eight-sided sign means:
- A. Do not enter
- B. Yield to cross traffic
- C. Slow down
- D. Come to a complete stop
Answer: D. Only STOP signs are octagons. Handbook topic: road signs.
2. A yellow, diamond-shaped sign:
- A. Gives directions
- B. Marks a rest area
- C. Shows a law you must obey
- D. Warns of a hazard or change ahead
Answer: D. Yellow diamonds are warning signs. Handbook topic: road signs.
3. A five-sided sign is used for:
- A. School zones and school crossings
- B. Railroad crossings
- C. Hospitals
- D. No passing zones
Answer: A. The pentagon is the school sign shape. Handbook topic: road signs.
4. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means:
- A. You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- B. Stop and wait for green
- C. Left turns are banned
- D. You have a protected turn
Answer: A. Oncoming traffic may have a green light. Handbook topic: traffic signals.
5. A flashing red light means:
- A. The signal is about to turn green
- B. Only buses may enter
- C. Stop, then go when it is safe
- D. Slow down and continue
Answer: C. Treat it the same as a STOP sign. Handbook topic: traffic signals.
6. On a multi-lane highway, the leftmost lane is reserved for:
- A. Parking in emergencies
- B. Slow drivers
- C. Trucks only
- D. Passing, left turns, and times when heavy traffic leaves no room to merge into other lanes
Answer: D. Drive in the rightmost lane when you are slower than normal traffic. Handbook topic: highway driving.
7. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
- A. A bike lane is ahead
- B. Pass with caution
- C. Do not pass
- D. The road is one way
Answer: C. Pass only where the broken line is on your side and you can see far enough ahead. Handbook topic: pavement markings.
8. You may not pass another vehicle within how many feet of an intersection or railroad crossing?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: B. You also may not pass on a hill, curve or bridge where your view is blocked, or pass a school bus with flashing red lights. Handbook topic: passing.
Right of way, roundabouts and speed (questions 9 to 16)
9. At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Which must yield?
- A. The vehicle on the right yields
- B. The larger vehicle goes first
- C. The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right
- D. The vehicle turning right goes first
Answer: C. Otherwise, the first vehicle to reach the intersection goes first. Handbook topic: right of way.
10. When entering a Colorado roundabout with no large vehicles present, you must:
- A. Stop completely every time
- B. Yield to traffic already circulating, approaching from your left, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk
- C. Expect traffic in the circle to yield to you
- D. Travel to the left around the center island
Answer: B. Travel to the right around the island, and don’t stop unless traffic prevents you from merging. Handbook topic: roundabouts.
11. Colorado law also requires you to yield in a roundabout to:
- A. Trucks, buses, emergency vehicles and RVs
- B. Any vehicle with a trailer behind you
- C. Nobody once you are inside
- D. Motorcycles only
Answer: A. You must yield to these large vehicles when entering, exiting or driving in the roundabout. Handbook topic: roundabouts.
12. Unless posted, what is the speed limit in a Colorado residence district?
- A. 20 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 40 mph
Answer: C. Colorado’s default limits are 25 mph in business districts and 30 mph in residence districts. Handbook topic: speed limits.
13. Unless posted, what is the speed limit on a narrow, winding mountain highway or blind curve?
- A. 20 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 40 mph
Answer: A. Open mountain highways default to 40 mph. Handbook topic: speed limits.
14. On a four-lane highway posted above 40 mph, how far before a turn or lane change must you signal?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: C. In urban areas, signal continuously for 100 feet. Handbook topic: signaling.
15. In normal conditions, what following distance does the Colorado handbook recommend?
- A. 1 second
- B. 2 seconds
- C. 3 seconds
- D. 10 seconds
Answer: C. Use the three-second rule and increase it in bad weather. Check your rearview mirror every 5 to 8 seconds. Handbook topic: following distance.
16. When you pass a bicyclist, you must leave at least:
- A. 1 foot
- B. 2 feet
- C. 3 feet
- D. 5 feet
Answer: C. Colorado requires a minimum of three feet of space between your vehicle and the bicyclist. Handbook topic: sharing the road with bicyclists.
School buses, emergency vehicles and parking (questions 17 to 21)
17. A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on a two-lane road. You must:
- A. Pass slowly if you are going the other way
- B. Stop at least 20 feet before reaching it and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing
- C. Stop only if children are crossing
- D. Stop 5 feet away
Answer: B. On a two-lane road, or a four-lane road with no median, traffic in both directions stops. Handbook topic: school buses.
18. On a divided highway of four or more lanes with a median, a school bus stops on the other side with red lights flashing. You:
- A. Must pull onto the shoulder
- B. Do not have to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction
- C. Must stop and wait for the bus driver’s signal
- D. Must stop in every case
Answer: B. Only traffic behind the bus must stop. Passing a stopped school bus illegally can mean a fine of up to $300 and six points. Handbook topic: school buses.
19. An emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of a road posted at 40 mph. You can’t change lanes. What should you slow down to?
- A. 25 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 40 mph
Answer: A. Slow to 25 mph where the limit is 45 mph or less, or to 20 mph under the limit where it is above 45 mph. If you can, leave a lane between you and the vehicle. Handbook topic: emergency vehicles.
20. You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant in Colorado?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: B. You also may not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or railroad crossing. Handbook topic: parking.
21. You are parking a car with a standard transmission facing downhill. Leave it in:
- A. First gear
- B. Reverse, with the emergency brake set
- C. Neutral
- D. Any gear; the brake is enough
Answer: B. Use low gear uphill and reverse downhill, set the brake and remove the key. Handbook topic: parking.
Alcohol, drugs and express consent (questions 22 to 25)
22. At what blood alcohol level can a Colorado adult be convicted of driving while ability impaired (DWAI)?
- A. 0.02%
- B. 0.05%
- C. 0.08%
- D. 0.10%
Answer: B. DUI per se begins at 0.08%. A first DWAI carries 8 points. Handbook topic: alcohol and drugs.
23. For drivers under 21, the Colorado DMV sanctions any alcohol level above:
- A. 0.02%
- B. 0.04%
- C. 0.05%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: A. Even small amounts count for drivers under 21. Handbook topic: alcohol and minors.
24. Under Colorado’s express consent law, refusing a chemical test leads to:
- A. License revocation for one year and two years of ignition interlock
- B. A small fine only
- C. A 30-day suspension
- D. Nothing if you are not convicted
Answer: A. By driving in Colorado you agree to take a blood, breath, saliva or urine test when required. Handbook topic: express consent.
25. Which statement about cannabis and driving is true in Colorado?
- A. It improves concentration
- B. It only matters if you also drink
- C. It is fine below a certain number of hours
- D. Driving while impaired by marijuana is unsafe and can lead to an impaired driving charge
Answer: D. Impairment from any drug, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, can lead to DUI or DWAI. Handbook topic: alcohol and drugs.
Colorado permit and minor license rules (questions 26 to 30)
26. In the first 6 months of a Colorado minor license, who may ride with you?
- A. Up to three passengers of any age
- B. No passengers under 21, unless a parent or another licensed adult driver is in the vehicle (siblings and medical emergencies excepted)
- C. One friend under 21
- D. Anyone with a seat belt
Answer: B. In months 7 to 12 you may carry no more than one passenger under 21. Handbook topic: minor license restrictions.
27. During your first year on a Colorado minor license, you may not drive between:
- A. Midnight and 5 a.m., unless an exception applies
- B. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- C. 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- D. 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Answer: A. Exceptions include a parent or legal guardian with you, and school or work trips with a signed statement. Handbook topic: minor license restrictions.
28. Under Colorado’s mobile device law (from January 1, 2025), when may a driver hold a phone to talk while driving?
- A. At stop lights
- B. On roads under 45 mph
- C. Under a legal exception, such as contacting a public safety entity or during an emergency
- D. Any time, if the call is under one minute
Answer: C. C.R.S. 42-4-239 bans hand-held use for all drivers, with exceptions for contacting public safety, emergencies and certain on-duty workers. Stopped at a light still counts as driving. The DMV also tells drivers under 18 not to talk or text at all, so new drivers should keep the phone away. See Colorado phone laws for new drivers.
29. How many supervised driving hours must a Colorado teen log before a minor license?
- A. 30 hours, 5 at night
- B. 40 hours, 10 at night
- C. 50 hours, 10 at night
- D. 60 hours, 15 at night
Answer: C. A parent or guardian signs the affidavit (or log) at the license appointment. Handbook topic: instruction permits and the 50-hour log.
30. A Colorado driver aged 17 can have their license suspended for:
- A. 6 or more points in any 12 months, or 7 or more points before turning 18
- B. 12 points in 12 months
- C. 14 points at any time
- D. Any single ticket
Answer: A. Drivers 18 to 20 face suspension at 9 points in 12 months, 12 in 24 months or 14 at any time. Handbook topic: points.
How did you do?
- 27 to 30: ready to book the Driving Knowledge Test.
- 23 to 26: nearly there. Reread the handbook sections named in your misses.
- Below 23: work through the handbook again, especially speed limits, school buses and the minor license rules, then retake this set.
After the permit: Colorado 50-hour driving log and affidavit, Colorado driving test explained and Colorado mountain and winter driving.
Common questions
How many questions are on the Colorado permit test?
Check the number of questions and the pass mark with the Colorado DMV and treat unofficial figures with caution.
Can I take the Colorado permit test online?
Yes. The @Home Driving Knowledge Test runs on a desktop or laptop with a webcam after you pre-register on myDMV. You have 60 minutes.
Is the Colorado test available in Spanish?
Yes, in English and Spanish, and questions can be read aloud. Other accommodations are listed in the written test guide.
Are these the real DMV questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice questions based on the Colorado Driver Handbook.
Where can I read the teen license rules in full?
See Colorado teen license restrictions and penalties and Colorado driver ed: 30-hour vs 4-hour.
Where are practice tests for other states?
See the US permit practice tests hub. The full Colorado route: learning to drive in Colorado.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, “Colorado Driver Handbook” (DR 2337) (dmv.colorado.gov)
- Colorado DMV, “Home Driving Knowledge Tests” and “Permits and First-Time Driver License” (dmv.colorado.gov)
- Colorado Department of Transportation, “Graduated Driver Licensing resource guide” (2025) (codot.gov)