Colorado Driver Handbook Flashcards

Key driving information for the state of Colorado

Who needs a Colorado Driver License?

Anyone who operates a motor vehicle, motor-driven cycle, or moped on Colorado’s public streets and highways must be 16 or older and have a valid driver license.

How long do you have to notify the DMV of a name or address change?

You have 30 days to notify the DMV of a name or address change.

How does someone obtain an instruction permit?

After passing a written test, you are eligible for an instruction permit.

What are the requirements for driving with an instruction permit?

When you are driving with an instruction permit, you must have a person who is 21 years or older who has a valid Colorado license in the front passenger seat.

What specific maneuvers have grading factors during the Drive Skills Test?

Lane selection, lane management, turn signals, speed control, stopping, acceleration, and searching.

What does lane selection entail?

Enter/exit traffic from the proper lane, approach intersections in the proper lane, and end the maneuver in the proper lane.

When should you activate your turn signal?

Turn signal is turned on continuously 100 feet before turning or changing lanes in urban areas and 200 feet before turning or changing lanes on 4-lane highways.

What is considered proper speed control?

Smooth deceleration does not hold up traffic, adjust speed to react to traffic or conditions, maintain steady speed during lane change, approach intersection at a speed that allows the turn to be made without stopping or braking during the turn.

What does proper searching entail?

Observes the traffic environment, looks over shoulder before changing lanes, uses mirrors, scans for traffic when approaching an intersection, looks left, right, left before entering intersections, looks behind after each turn.

Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship: what are the requirements?

If you are under 18, your application must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Liability (DR2460) signed and verified by your parent, stepparent, grandparent with power of attorney, legal guardian, spouse older than 18, or any other responsible adult willing to accept legal liability.

Application for driver license: what does Colorado law require of minors?

Colorado law requires minors to have an instruction permit for 12 months before applying for a driver license and to submit a completed and signed driving log showing 50 hours of driving experience (10 of which must have been at night).

What are the restrictions on passengers for minor drivers?

For the first six months after your license is issued, you cannot have any passengers under 21, unless a parent or another licensed adult driver is in the vehicle. After 6 months, you may have one passenger younger than 21. After 1 year, you may carry as many passengers as there are seat belts in the vehicle.

What are the curfew rules for minor drivers?

For your first year as a licensed driver, driving between midnight and 5 a.m. is not allowed unless you are accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian.

How can a driver lose their license?

Meet or exceed the minimum point accumulation for suspension, are convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, refuse to be tested for alcohol or drug content, are convicted of failing to report a crash, fail to pay ordered child support, etc.

What does Colorado law say about wearing seatbelts?

Colorado law requires a fastened seat belt to be worn in all motor vehicles with a factory-equipped seat belt system while in operation on public roadways by the driver, front seat passengers, and children under 16.

Colorado child passenger protection law: what are the age/weight requirements?

Children less than 1 year old and weighing less than 20 pounds: properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system in a rear seat of the vehicle. Children ages 1 to 4 and weighing 20 to 40 pounds: properly secured in a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint system. Children up to 8 years old: properly secured in a child restraint system, such as a booster seat, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Children between 8 and 15 years old: properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Open container law: what should you know?

It is unlawful for someone to either possess an open container of alcohol or possess an open container of marijuana while in the passenger area of a motor vehicle that is on a public road.

What are the definitions of DWAI and DUI?

DWAI means the driver is impaired to the slightest degree. DUI means the driver is substantially incapable of safe driving.

When can a driver be convicted of DUI per se?

A driver may also be convicted of DUI per se if the driver’s BAC is greater than 0.08%.

When may licenses be revoked?

Licenses may be revoked if the driver refuses a toxicological test, set forth in Colorado Statute, or based on a BAC over .08 or over .02 if the driver is under 21, or over .04 for a CDL driver.

Drugs and driving: what should you know?

Driving while impaired by drugs, including illicit drugs, marijuana, prescription medications and over the counter medications, is illegal and subject to the same penalties as driving while impaired by alcohol.

What is the Express Consent Law?

The express consent law means that when a person operate a motor vehicle within the state, they agree to take a chemical test of their blood, breath, saliva or urine to determine the presence of alcohol and/or drug content in your blood.

What does it mean to be a safe driver?

Not being overly tired, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, being generally healthy, and being mentally and emotionally fit to drive.

Vision: what is important to know?

It is important to have your eyes checked every year or two by an eye specialist. If you have a corrective lens restriction on your license, you need to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving.

Hearing: what should you know about earphones?

You may not operate a motor vehicle while wearing earphones. The definition of earphones include any device or headset which covers all or a portion of both ears.

Health: what is important to consider?

Check with your doctor if you think your health condition could affect your driving.

Mirrors: how should you adjust them?

Adjust your rear view mirror and side mirrors before you begin to drive. To adjust the driver’s side mirror place your head against the left side window and set the mirror so you can barely see the side of the car in the right side of the mirror. To adjust the passenger’s side mirror position you head so that it is centered under the inside rearview mirror or just above the center console. Set the mirror so you can just see the side of the car in the left side of the mirror.

Stop signs: what do they mean?

You must come to a complete stop. You must stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic.

Yield signs: what do they mean?

These signs indicate you must slow or stop to yield to all pedestrians and any vehicle with right of way.

What are the rules for passing a bicyclist?

Motorists, when passing or overtaking bicyclists, must allow for clearance of 3 feet to avoid sideswiping on all roadways even if a sign is not posted.

Bicycle may use full lane signs: what do they mean?

These signs remind drivers that bicyclists have a right to ride in the center of the lane if they feel their safety is compromised by hazards or poor visibility if they were to ride in the right side of the lane.

Bicycle may use full lane signs: what do they mean?

They remind drivers that bicyclists have a right to ride in the center of the lane if they feel their safety is compromised by hazards or poor visibility if they were to ride in the right side of the lane.

Double solid yellow lines: what do they mean?

Neither side can pass, unless to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when the oncoming travel lane is clear.

Crosswalks: you must yield the right-of-way, but what else should you know?

Whenever you approach a vehicle from the rear that is stopped at a crosswalk, you must not pass and must stop behind the vehicle or behind the crosswalk in the adjacent lane if a multi-lane roadway.

Transit lanes: what are they?

Transit lanes are where a portion of the street, designated by signs and markings, is reserved for the preferential or exclusive use of transit vehicles (for example bus or light rail), sometimes allowing limited use by other vehicles.

High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes: what is important to note?

Signs will identify the types of vehicles and the number of occupants required per vehicle to use the lane.

Two-way left-turn lane: what is it used for?

This lane is for the exclusive use of left turning vehicles and may be used by drivers making a left turn in either direction. It shall not be used for passing or travel by a driver except to make a left turn.

What should you do when encountering an emergency vehicle?

Emergency vehicles: You must yield the right-of-way to all emergency vehicles using a siren, air horn and/ or flashing red, blue, white or yellow lights. Where possible, you must pull to the right edge of the road and come to a stop. Unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel or conditions prohibit the lane change, you should slow down to 25 MPH if the posted speed limit is 45 MPH or less, Or 20 MPH under the posted speed limit if the posted speed limit is above 45 MPH

School bus: when are you required to stop and when are you not?

You must stop your vehicle at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, and you must stop until the lights stop flashing. You are not required to stop if there is a median or other physical barrier separating the bus from your vehicle.

Limits: what should you know about speed limits?

Speed limit signs show the maximum speed allowed in ideal conditions. Some roads, such as freeways, have minimum speed limits posted. Driving slower than the minimum speed limit is a traffic violation, unless due to road or weather conditions.

Why is signaling important?

Turn Signals: In urban areas, you must signal continuously for 100 feet before making a turn or lane change. On four lane highways where the posted speed limit is faster than 40 mph, you must signal for 200 feet before making a turn or lane change. A typical rule of thumb is to have your turn signal on for at least 3 seconds before making a turn or changing lanes.

Turning in a correct path: how should do you complete your turn?

Complete your turn in the center of the correct lane on the new roadway — usually the lane closest to you on your side of the street. In intersections with multiple turn lanes, use the white lines in the intersection to identify the correct path.

How do you perform a Reverse two-point turnabout?

Reverse two-point turnabout: Signal your intention to turn right. Stop and check traffic to the sides and rear of your vehicle. Move back until the rear bumper of your vehicle reaches the near edge of the driveway. While backing slowly, steer rapidly all the way to the right. As your vehicle centers in the driveway, straighten the wheels and stop. Shift to drive and check in both directions; if clear, signal and turn left into the proper lane and accelerate.

How do you perform a Forward two-point turnabout?

Forward two-point turnabout: Check your mirrors and signal your intention to turn left. Move close to the center of the road and turn into the driveway or alley as near as possible to the right side. Stop as the rear of your vehicle clears the curb or the driveway’s edge. Check in all directions for traffic, signal a right turn and shift to reverse. When clear, move back slowly while turning the steering wheel quickly all the way to the right. As your vehicle centers in the nearest lane, straighten the wheels and stop. Then, shift to drive, cancel the right signal and move forward.

Parking : what should you do when leaving a vehicle?

Leave the vehicle in park if it has an automatic transmission. If it’s a standard transmission, leave the vehicle in low gear when headed uphill and in reverse gear when headed downhill. Set the emergency brake and remember to remove the ignition key when leaving the vehicle.

What are the rules regarding parallel parking?

Where parallel parking is permitted, your vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb or as close as possible to the outside edge of the shoulder, so traffic will not be blocked or slowed.

Leaving the freeway: what are some important tips?

Keep your speed consistent with the flow of traffic while on the freeway, do not exit at the last second, and slow down after turning into the deceleration lane and do not exceed the posted speed limit for the exit ramp.

What should you do when your car starts to skid?

Whenever your car starts to skid, take your foot off both the brake and the accelerator pedal. Make sure your tires have good tread for adequate traction. In winter, chains, snow tires or alternative traction devices are preferable and may be required on highways.

Mountain driving: what should you be aware of?

Shift to lower gears to control speeds when driving down steep hills or mountains. It is illegal to use the oncoming travel lane to pass others if you are approaching the crest of a hill, a curve or in any other situation where visibility of oncoming traffic is obstructed.

Avoid crashes with bicycles: what should you do?

Treat people on bikes as drivers of vehicles who have a right to the road, and who are also more vulnerable. Take the time to actively look for people on bikes and to accurately judge their speed and distance.

What are the law requirements for bicycles?

Bicyclists are required to use hand signals when turning and stopping. However, they may be unable to signal if their skill level or road or traffic conditions require them to keep both hands on the handlebars. Look for other clues of a bicyclist’s intent, such as turning their head or looking over their shoulder before changing lane position.

Sharing the road with Pedestrians : things to remember?

Do not assume that pedestrians can hear or see your vehicle or any visual or audible crossing signals as some pedestrians may be deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or blind. Remember, some pedestrians like children or people using wheelchairs have a lower profile.