About GDL

What Are Colorado's GDL Laws?

There are three stages to Colorado’s GDL system:


Learner Stage

  • This is a supervised stage of learning for young drivers that lasts 12 months

  • The minimum entry age for this stage of driving varies in Colorado:

    • 15 year-olds who are enrolled in driver education may apply for a learner permit and may drive while supervised by a parent, guardian or adult 21 years of age or older that has been authorized by a parent or guardian

    • At age 15 and 6 months, driver education is no longer required, but young drivers at this age must have completed a four hour driver awareness program

    • At age 16, young drivers may apply for their learner permit, which allows them to drive while supervised by a licensed driver age 21 or older

  • During the learner stage, young drivers are required to complete 50 hours of supervised driving with their parent, guardian or supervising adult (10 of these driving hours must be supervised nighttime driving)

  • Young drivers at this stage are banned from using their cell phones while driving


Intermediate Stage

  • This is a restricted stage of driving for young drivers that lasts 12 months

  • The minimum entry age for this stage of driving is 16 in Colorado

  • At this stage, young drivers are granted a restricted license after passing a road test

  • Additionally at this stage, young drivers are limited in the hours they can drive as well as who they can drive with:

    • Young drivers cannot drive between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. in Colorado

    • Young drivers may not have any passengers who are not family members under age 21 during the first six months of having their restricted license

    • After six months, young drivers with a restricted license may not have more than one passenger under age 21


Full Privilege Stage

  • This is an unrestricted stage of driving

    • Young drivers may obtain a standard driver license

    • After 12 months or at age 18 (whichever occurs first), young drivers are no longer under the restrictions of GDL laws

  • The minimum entry age for this stage of driving is 17 in Colorado



While every state has a set of GDL laws, specific components of the law change depending on the state. It's important to know the GDL law in your state so that you can make informed decisions during the learning-to-drive process.


Why Are GDL Laws Important?

  • GDL laws keep everyone safe - not just young drivers

    • GDL offers young drivers the opportunity to gain valuable and needed on-road experience before driving under more challenging conditions

    • By restricting the number of passengers, banning cell phone use and setting curfew, GDL limits danger and potential risks young drivers face while learning to drive safely, making our roads safer for them and others

How Effective Are GDL Laws?

  • GDL is a proven intervention for effectively reducing young driver related crashes and roadway fatalities in the U.S.

    • Research shows that GDL systems are associated with reduced injuries and fatal crashes among 16-year-olds

  • GDL laws have helped reduce fatalities among young drivers and passengers in Colorado since the laws were strengthened in 2005

    • Since the passage of GDL laws, overall fatal crashes declined significantly for young drivers ages 16 -17