Conquer the Colorado Permit Test: 15 Practice Questions to Ace Your Exam

The Colorado DMV written knowledge test is your first official step toward earning a driver's license. It's designed to ensure you have a strong grasp of the state's traffic laws, road signs, and safety rules before you start practicing on the road. While preparing for any test can be a bit stressful, confidence comes from being well-prepared.

All the questions on the official test are taken from the Colorado Driver Handbook. The test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly (an 80% score) to pass. To help you study, we've created this list of 15 practice questions that mirror the topics and format you'll find on the real exam.

Colorado Permit Practice Test

Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. The correct answers and detailed explanations are provided below.

1. A driver with a minor license is restricted from driving between what hours during their first year of licensing? a) 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. b) 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. c) Midnight and 5 a.m. d) 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

2. What is Colorado's "Move Over" law? a) You must change lanes when someone wants to pass you. b) You must slow down and, if possible, move over a lane for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. c) You must move over for funeral processions. d) You must move over for large trucks on the highway.

3. Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on a narrow, winding mountain highway or in a blind curve? a) 30 mph b) 25 mph c) 20 mph d) 35 mph

4. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means: a) You may pass if the way is clear. b) You are approaching a school zone. c) Passing is not permitted from your lane. d) The road is ending.

5. For the first six months of holding a minor license, who is a teen driver allowed to have as a passenger? a) No one under 21. b) Only their siblings. c) One friend under 21. d) Any passengers, as long as they wear seat belts.

6. A flashing yellow arrow at a traffic light means: a) You must stop and wait for a green arrow. b) The same as a solid green light; you have the right-of-way. c) You may turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. d) The traffic light is broken.

7. When you hear a siren or see the flashing lights of an approaching emergency vehicle, you must: a) Speed up to get out of the way. b) Stop immediately in your lane. c) Pull over to the right side of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. d) Continue driving but be prepared to stop.

8. In Colorado, a teen must hold their instruction permit for how long before they can get a driver's license? a) 6 months b) 9 months c) 12 months d) 3 months

9. What does a pentagon-shaped (five-sided) sign indicate? a) A railroad crossing b) A stop sign ahead c) A no-passing zone d) A school zone or school crossing

10. In good weather conditions, what is the minimum safe following distance you should maintain from the car in front of you? a) One car length b) A three-second following distance c) A one-second following distance d) 50 feet

11. It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of ____ or higher. a) 0.10% b) 0.05% c) 0.08% d) 0.02%

12. When sharing the road with a motorcycle, you should: a) Follow it more closely than a car. b) Allow for a greater following distance. c) Expect it to stop faster than a car. d) Try to share the lane with it.

13. A teen driver must log how many hours of supervised driving before getting their license? a) 40 hours, with 5 at night. b) 60 hours, with 15 at night. c) 50 hours, with 10 at night. d) 30 hours, with 10 at night.

14. A round, yellow sign with a black "X" and "RR" is an advance warning for a: a) Hospital ahead b) Road construction zone c) Deer crossing d) Railroad crossing

15. What is the "Express Consent Law" in Colorado? a) You consent to let police search your car if stopped. b) You consent to pay for any damages you cause in an accident. c) By driving in Colorado, you have agreed to take a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine if suspected of DUI. d) You consent to GDL restrictions when you get your license.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. c) Midnight and 5 a.m. This nighttime curfew is a key part of Colorado's GDL law for the first year of a minor's license. [2, 5]

2. b) You must slow down and, if possible, move over a lane for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. This law is designed to protect first responders and road workers.

3. c) 20 mph. This specific speed limit is for safety on roads with limited visibility and sharp turns.

4. c) Passing is not permitted from your lane. A solid line on your side indicates a no-passing zone.

5. b) Only their siblings. For the first six months, no passengers under 21 are allowed, with an exception for siblings or if a parent is in the car. [2, 5]

6. c) You may turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. This signal allows for a permissive turn when there is a safe gap in traffic.

7. c) Pull over to the right side of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. This action clears the way for the emergency vehicle to pass safely.

8. c) 12 months. A teen must hold their permit for a full year before being eligible to take the road test. [2, 3, 5]

9. d) A school zone or school crossing. This unique shape helps drivers quickly identify areas where children may be present.

10. b) A three-second following distance. This gives you enough time to react and stop safely if the vehicle in front of you brakes suddenly.

11. c) 0.08%. This is the standard legal limit for drivers 21 and over. For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.02%.

12. b) Allow for a greater following distance. Motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars, and they are more vulnerable to road hazards. Giving them extra space is critical for safety.

13. c) 50 hours, with 10 at night. This driving experience must be certified by a parent or guardian in a logbook. [2, 5]

14. d) Railroad crossing. This round sign is the earliest warning that you are approaching railroad tracks.

15. c) By driving in Colorado, you have agreed to take a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine if suspected of DUI. Refusing this test has its own serious penalties, including license revocation.

How to Guarantee a Passing Score

The best way to prepare is to carefully study the Colorado Driver Handbook. Read it thoroughly, paying special attention to GDL restrictions, speed limits, and rules for sharing the road. By combining your reading with practice tests like this one, you'll be well on your way to acing your permit test.