🚘How to Get a Drivers License as an Adult

The driver’s license is issued by The Department of Motor Vehicles of Colorado, not by the International Rescue Committee. Follow the steps below to obtain a driver’s license.

Collect your documents

• Identification documents (at least one option from the list below)

  • Employment Authorization Document (I-766)

  • Form I-94 that has your photo

  • Passport from your home country with the stamp I-551

  • A combination of a passport from your home country with United States visa and a Form I-94

• Documents with your name and address (at least 2 options from the list below)

  • Lease Agreement

  • Utility Bill (water, electricity)

  • Paycheck from work

  • Bank Statement

  • Other documents with your name and address on them

• Supporting documents
  Social Security Card, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), ID card that you received in the United States, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, and other documents that can help to establish your identity and your status in the United States. Supporting documents will help you if some of your other documents do not fit certain requirements of the DMV.

Pass a theory test

The written test has 25 questions about the traffic laws in Colorado. You can make 5 mistakes. You can take the test online, at one of the DMV offices or at one of the driving schools certified by the DMV. You can bring an interpreter to the test. The price of the test depends on the location and the number of attempts (from $0 to $40 on average). Study materials: dmv.colorado.gov/drivereducation

Get an Instruction Permit

Make an appointment at one of the DMV offices to apply for an Instruction Permit (learner’s permit, provisional license). The average price of the Instruction Permit is $20. Make an appointment: dmv.colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling

Practice driving skills

You can practice for free with a friend or a family member if they are 21 years old or older and have a driver’s license from Colorado. If you don’t have a friend or a family that can help you, contact one of the driving schools certified by the DMV. You can't bring an interpreter with you to the practice. Different schools offer different prices (from $130 to $200 per lesson on average). List of the schools: dmv.colorado.gov/drivereducation

Pass a driving test

Contact one of the driving schools certified by the DMV. The test takes about 15-30 minutes. The examiner will rate your driving skills and your ability to follow the traffic law. You can't bring an interpreter with you to the test. Different schools offer different prices (from $75 to $120 per test on average). List of the schools: dmv.colorado.gov/drivereducation

Get a driver’s license

The school will offer you different options for obtaining a driver’s license. You can receive your driver’s license by mail. You can also receive your driver’s license by visiting one of the DMV offices. You do not need to wait for your driver’s license to arrive to start driving. You can start driving a car right after passing the driving test. Your instruction permit could be used instead of a driver’s license, while you are waiting for the driver’s license to be issued by the DMV.