Colorado DMV Handbook 2025

In Colorado, all drivers regardless of age must obtain an instruction permit to practice supervised driving before applying for a driver’s license. The requirements for obtaining an instruction permit include passing a vision test and a knowledge (permit) test on safe driving. (You may take the knowledge test online.) You must also complete a driver’s education course if you’re under 16.

As part of our permit test preparation program, we have made available the official Colorado DMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Colorado DMV Handbook (CO Driver's Manual) 2025). This manual is available in English and Spanish versions. Each version is in PDF format and can be easily downloaded from this webpage.

All questions on the official knowledge test are based on topics covered in this manual, such as the rules of the road, road signs and traffic signals, safe driving practices, driving under the influence (DUI), and emergency situations. To prepare to pass the knowledge test, you should start by studying the manual. However, this alone may not prepare you well enough. In 2020 – 2023, about 39.8% of those who took the DMV knowledge test failed it on their first attempt. Therefore, please follow our entire test preparation program, including our graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. It can give you hints and explanations to help you learn. You can also ask it to clarify complex terms or obscure or confusing points that you may find in the handbook.

Driving laws and regulations can change at any time. For the latest information on Colorado driving rules, visit the DMV website.

We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s handbook. It’s formatted as a series of MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook. You can download the MP3 files for each chapter you’re interested in from the right side of this webpage and listen to it on any device that supports an internet browser or audio app capable of playing MP3s. Try listening to a chapter while you follow along by reading the text of that chapter in the PDF version of the manual. This study technique is particularly effective at helping you concentrate on the material.

In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide (available elsewhere on this website) to help you prepare for the day of the Colorado knowledge test. It covers what documents to take to the DMV, what fees you may have to pay, frequently missed knowledge test questions, and other last-minute knowledge test tips.