Getting your Colorado driver’s license isn’t going to be easy. But the process is built out in stages, so you’re not dropped into a pressure situation without proper study and real-world driving practice. Do your homework, put in the practice, and you’ll be independent and on the road in no time.
The road to earning your license includes two significant steps: passing the written exam and then taking the road test. The good news is that Colorado driver’s license testing is often available at the same location where you studied and practiced. A good example of this is the state-certified American Driving Academy, where many students can study and take their tests with the same instructors, in the same environment.
Here, we’ll guide you through what you need to know for both tests so you can ace the exams and officially become a Colorado-licensed driver.
Want to Know What’s on the Colorado Written and Road Tests?
Preparation and practice. Remember those two words, and the road to getting your Colorado driver’s license will be a smooth one. That said, it helps to get a little heads up, so you don’t get caught flat-footed on the actual exams. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Many other students, including those mentioned below, feel the same way, including:
- First-time teen drivers who want to know the basics of what’s on the two exams, so they are better prepared for the test
- Adult learners getting licensed later in life and looking for a clear, straightforward breakdown of what to expect
- Nervous or repeat test-takers who want structure, reassurance, and insight into what examiners actually look for
No one wants to flunk the two tests, so let’s take a look at what’s on the written and road tests. We’ll start with the written exam.
Part 1: What to Know for the Colorado Written (Knowledge) Test
The written knowledge test is a formal step toward earning your Colorado driver’s license. It’s designed to make sure you understand the rules of the road and can recognize everyday traffic situations before getting behind the wheel. Let’s break down what you need to know before sitting down for the exam:
What the Written Test Actually Is
The written test focuses on essential driving knowledge and covers the following areas:
- Required before you can get your learner’s permit
- Multiple-choice exam based on the Colorado Driver Handbook
- Focuses on rules of the road, signs, and safe-driving knowledge
What the Written Test Covers
The written test is made up of 25 multiple-choice questions that include:
- Traffic signs and signals
- Right-of-way rules
- Speed limits and school zones
- Fundamental driving laws and safety practices
- Alcohol, drugs, and distracted driving laws
How to Prepare for the Written Test
Don’t go in blind. Study and prepare for the test, and you should do well by using the following resources:
- Study the Colorado Driver Handbook
- Use practice tests
- Take a state-approved driver education course (recommended, even when not required)
Who Needs to Take the Written Test
Anyone who wants to get their license needs to take the written exam, including those mentioned below:
- Teen drivers (with age-based education requirements)
- Adults who need to take a Colorado drive test to get their license
- New residents without a transferable license
Where You Can Take the Written Test
Colorado encourages students to take the written test at the same state-certified location where they received their instruction, including these options:
- DMV testing options
- State-approved driving schools
- Online knowledge testing through the Colorado DMV
Part 2: What to Know for the Colorado Road (Driving Skills) Test
The road (driving skills) test is the final step toward earning your Colorado driver’s license. This exam evaluates how well you apply what you’ve learned in real-world driving situations, with a state-certified examiner observing in real-time. Pass this, and you’re home free. Let’s break down what you can expect when it’s time to take the road test:
What the Road Test Is Designed to Measure
This is where all that study and behind-the-wheel practice really matters. The road test measures the basic driving skills we mention here:
- Real-world driving ability under observation
- Ability to stay calm, controlled, and safe under pressure
- Examiner evaluates skills, but not perfection
What Examiners Look For During the Road Test
This is where the rubber hits the road, and it’s your chance to show basic driving skills like the ones mentioned below:
- Smooth vehicle control (steering, braking, acceleration)
- Proper signaling and lane usage
- Safe lane changes with mirror and shoulder checks
- Complete stops and intersection awareness
- Yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic
Required Documents and Vehicle Requirements
More than one student has been turned away from their road test because they didn’t bring the proper documents. Here’s what you’ll need to bring on the day of the test:
- Valid Colorado learner’s permit
- Proof of insurance and registration (if using your own vehicle)
- Vehicle safety basics (plates, windshield condition, working signals)
Common Mistakes That Lead to Failure
No one wants to fail the test, so take note of these common mistakes:
- Rolling stops
- Forgetting blind-spot checks
- Speeding (even slightly)
- Stopping past the limit line
- Hesitation or unsafe merges
How to Schedule the Colorado Road Test
In Colorado, road testing is handled through state-certified driving schools rather than the state DMV. This system gives students more flexibility and familiarity when it’s time to schedule their driving test because of the following:
- State-certified driving schools offer Colorado road testing outside of the DMV
- Testing at your training location helps reduce stress by keeping the environment familiar
- American Driving Academy locations across Colorado provide approved road testing in multiple cities
Where Can You Schedule Your Written and Road Tests in Colorado?
American Driving Academy makes getting your license as convenient as possible by providing written and driver’s tests at the same location where you took classes and with the same instructors with whom you studied and practiced. Because many instructors are also examiners, students tend to feel more comfortable and confident when being tested.
We are a state-certified testing provider with locations across Colorado, including Denver, Westminster, Aurora, Centennial, Longmont, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City, and Trinidad. We offer in-class instruction, a 30-hour online course, behind-the-wheel training, and locations where you can take your written permit test.
When you’re ready, you can schedule your driver’s test or enroll in classes today. American Driving Academy has guided thousands of students toward safe, confident driving, and we can do the same for you.
American Driving Academy is Colorado's largest driving school, serving drivers across 15 Colorado locations since 1999, with more than 400,000 customers served through driver's ed, permit testing, drive testing, and behind-the-wheel lessons.