Colorado (CO) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

The state of Colorado, the driving laws are tough on teens. As a result, between 2003-2008, the number of teen deaths from auto accidents has dropped by 44%. Unfortunately, in 2004, 80% of all teen passengers that died in car accidents, died while another teen was behind the wheel. Colorado continues to enhance its teen driving laws in a effort to reduce the number of fatal teen auto accidents even more. Not only does Colorado have an effective Graduated Licensing program in place, it also has drunk driving laws that prosecute parents of teens that get caught drinking and driving. Under Colorado’s “Social Host” law, the parent or “host” could be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor. Continue reading to learn more about Colorado’s teen driving laws and the consequences for violating them.

Colorado Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

In the state of Colorado, under the state’s Graduated Driver Licensing laws, teens are eligible for an instruction permit at the age of 15, if he is participating in a state-approved driver’s education program. He must also complete at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Teen’s age 151/2 may obtain an instruction permit after completing at least a 4-hour driver awareness course. If the teen is 16, he may obtain an instruction permit without a driver’s education program or driver awareness course. All teen drivers under the age of 18 must provide a signed affidavit from the parent or legal guardian to receive a instruction permit.

To obtain a driver’s license, you must:

•    Hold an instruction permit for at least 12 months
•    Have a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel, supervised driving time, to include 10 hours of nighttime driving
•    Have a clean driving record. Cell phone infractions will not be tolerated

To apply for a Colorado driver’s license you must provide any of the following documentation to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles to prove full legal name, age, and lawful presence in the United States:

•    Social Security Card
•    U.S. Birth Certificate
•    U.S. Passport
•    Certificate of Citizenship
•    Military ID
•    VA Card w/photo
•    Colorado Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prison ID card

Colorado Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

Under Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing program, a number of restrictions on teen driving apply. Drivers under the age of 18, who have not had a driver’s license for more than six months, cannot transport passengers under the age of 21. The only exceptions to this rule are in the cases of emergencies and if the passengers are siblings. In addition, drivers under the age of 18

•    Cannot have more than one passenger under the age of 21 in the car at a time until the driver holds a valid driver’s license for one full year
•    Cannot have more than one passenger in the front seat
•    Cannot have more passengers in the car than seatbelts
•    Cannot drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless the driver’s license has been effective for one full year

A driver under the age of 18 may drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. if accompanied by apparent or guardian. He may also driver between these hours unaccompanied if:

•    He is driving from school or a school-authorized activity
•    There is a medical emergency
•    He is driving to or from work with a signed statement from the employer
•    The driver is emancipated

All teen drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times, obey all traffic laws, and should not drink and drive, ever.

If the driver violates any of the above restrictions he will lose his license for a set amount of time to be determined by the courts. He will also have to perform community service, pay fines, lose points on his license, and insurance carriers will choose not to cover you, which means, you will not be allowed to drive on Colorado roads, period.

Colorado Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

The state of Colorado passed a new cell phone law in 2009. House Bill 1094 prohibits teens under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Teens and young adults over the age of 18, but under the age of 21 are allowed to use a cell phone equipped with a hands-free accessory. Violation of Colorado’s cell phone law will result in a class A traffic violation. For a first offense, you will have to pay a $50 fine, plus a $6 surcharge. For a second offense, you will have to pay a $100 fine and $6 surcharge.

It is important to note that teen driver’s that are driving with an instruction permit of any kind are prohibited from using any type of mobile communication device. You cannot text message or use a hands-free accessory – no matter how old you are.

Colorado Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Colorado, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict a Colorado teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02-0.05%, your license will be revoked on the spot for a minimum of 30 days, followed by a suspension period of 60 days for a total of 90 days. If your BAC is over 0.05% and less that 0.08%, your license will be revoked on the spot for 90 days.  Second time offenders will lose their licenses for 120 days and third time offenders will lose their licenses for a full year. In addition to losing your license, you may have to pay fines ranging from $300 up to $1,5000, perform 56-120 hours of community service, and you could also spend time in a juvenile detention center – especially for multiple offenses.

Colorado Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In the state of Colorado, your teen auto insurance policy must include minimum liability coverage of 25/50/15. This is equal to $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. Because of the increased accident risk during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, and because Colorado is no longer a No-Fault state, Colorado insurance companies will recommend that driver’s consider carrying significantly higher coverages than the state minimums. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year - or an average of $2,171 a year.

Although auto insurance premiums will increase if you add a teen to your policy or purchasing teen auto insurance will always be pricier than other policies, there are ways to qualify for discounts on teen auto insurance. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).