Chapter 1: Your License to Drive

Understanding the rules for obtaining and maintaining a driver’s license is the first step toward becoming a safe and legal driver. These regulations are designed to ensure every driver has the foundational knowledge and skill to operate a vehicle, protecting themselves and others on the road. Mastering this information is critical for passing the knowledge test and for keeping your driving privileges once you have earned them.

Glossary

• Right-of-way: The legal right of a pedestrian, vehicle, or vessel to proceed in a particular situation or place.
• Per-se BAC: The blood alcohol concentration level at which a driver is legally considered intoxicated and can be convicted of DUI without any other evidence.
• Implied Consent: The legal principle that by driving a vehicle, a person has implicitly agreed to submit to a chemical test of their blood, breath, or urine to determine drug or alcohol content if suspected of impaired driving.
• Divided Highway: A road that has opposing directions of travel separated by a physical median or barrier.
• Keep Right/Left-Lane Law: The rule requiring drivers to stay in the right-hand lane except when passing, allowing the left lane to be used for overtaking other vehicles.
• No-Zone: The large blind spots around trucks and buses where cars are not visible to the driver.
• Hydroplaning: A dangerous condition where a layer of water builds between a vehicle’s tires and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction and control.
• Reversible Lane: A traffic lane where the direction of traffic flow can be changed to match the peak traffic patterns, typically controlled by overhead signals.

License Classes

Colorado issues several classes of driver’s licenses, each authorizing the operation of a specific type of vehicle. For non-commercial purposes, the primary classes are:

• Class R (Regular): This is the most common license class. It permits the holder to operate any regular passenger car, van, or light truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds. This license does not permit the operation of motorcycles or commercial vehicles.
• Class M (Motorcycle): This endorsement is required to legally operate a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle on public roadways. It can be added to a Class R license or issued on its own. Obtaining this endorsement requires passing a separate motorcycle-specific knowledge test and a skills test.
• Instruction Permit: This is not a full license but a preliminary credential that allows a person to practice driving under specific supervision. The rules for supervision vary based on the driver’s age. For all permit holders, a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older must occupy the front passenger seat.