Colorado Driver's License Cost: Permit and Retest Fees 2026
How much does a Colorado permit and driver's license cost in 2026?
In Colorado, as of 2026, the state fee is $20 for an instruction permit and $34 for a driver's license or minor driver's license. A Standard credential costs $23 for the permit and $36 for the license. Each written test retake costs $11.50, and each drive test retake costs $15.40, on top of regular testing fees. Driving schools and third-party testers can add their own fees.
Where these Colorado fees come from
The amounts come from the Colorado DMV state fees page, from Rules 1, 8 and 17 of the Colorado DMV rules (1 CCR 204-30) and from the @Home Driving Knowledge Test page. The retest surcharge comes from C.R.S. 42-2-114, and the DMV permit pages add the payment details. The amounts are as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Colorado DMV (dmv.colorado.gov) before you drive.
Colorado permit and license fees in 2026
| What you buy | REAL ID | Standard credential |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit | $20 (includes motorcycle) | $23 |
| Driver's license or minor driver's license | $34 | $36 |
| Identification card | $14 (free for people over 60) | $14 |
How long a Colorado permit and license last
You pay the permit fee at your DMV appointment. A Colorado permit is valid for three years or until your 21st birthday, whichever comes first. If you are under 18, you must hold it for at least 12 months and log at least 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) before you apply for a minor license. Our free question page on the holding period and driving log checks that rule. A minor license expires 20 days after your 21st birthday, so renew or convert it to an adult license by then. A Standard credential is valid for 3 years from the day it is issued.
Retest and other Colorado DMV fees
| Fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Written test retest | $11.50 | Each time you retake the written permit test |
| Drive test retest | $15.40 | Each time you retake the driving test |
| @Home test try | $6.50 | Each try, first or later |
| Duplicate permit or license | $12.30, then $16.40 | First duplicate, then each later one |
| Reinstatement | $95, plus $25 after a DUI offense | Reinstating a license |
| Driving record | $9.25 ($10.25 certified) | Copy of your record |
How retest fees and limits work
Each retest fee is a state fee on top of the regular testing fees. The law applies the retest charge whether you retake the test with the DMV or with a vendor the DMV approves, and the DMV sets the amount by rule to cover the cost of the failed test. You can take the written test as many times as you need, but only twice in one day. After a failed driving test, you can retake it once per day, starting the day after. The written test pass mark and retake rules have more detail.
Example: state fees for one written and two drive retests
Say you fail the written test one time and the driving test two times. The state retest fees are $11.50 + $15.40 + $15.40 = $42.30. Regular testing fees and any fees from the school that gives the drive test are extra, so ask each one for its price before you book.
Colorado driving costs outside the state fee table
- Driving schools set their own prices. A certified driving school's contract for driver education must show the package rate for classroom and behind-the-wheel lessons, the total cost of internet lessons and the rate for any vehicle charges.
- Drive tests are given by approved third-party providers. The DMV does not book them, so you book and ask about the price directly with the school or testing location.
- If a document is not in English, you pay for its translation.
- Under 18: if the adult who signed your Affidavit of Liability withdraws, a new signer must sign a new DR 2460 at the office, and the DMV charges a fee for the new permit.
- The DMV does not collect fees for titling or registering a vehicle. Ask your county DMV office about those.
What the @Home online test costs
Each try at the @Home Driving Knowledge Test costs $6.50: a $5 testing fee plus a $1.50 card processing fee. The first try is free apart from those fees, and later tries cost the same $6.50. Each retake of the written test also has the state's $11.50 retest fee. If you test at a third party, that business can add its own fees. After you pass, you must make an appointment at a State driver license office to get your permit, and you pay the permit fee there. The @Home test guide covers how the test works.
How to pay at a Colorado driver license office
- Cash is accepted.
- A check is accepted if it is made payable to DOR. Payroll and third-party checks are not accepted.
- Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
- Contactless pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
- Fees cannot be combined on one credit card charge or one check, so expect a separate payment for each fee.
- The short check fee is $71 (a penalty and administrative fee), and you must pay it with cash or a money order only.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2026, the state fee is $20 for a permit and $34 for a license or minor license; a Standard credential costs $23 and $36.
- A written retest costs $11.50 and a drive retest costs $15.40, each on top of regular testing fees.
- An @Home test try costs $6.50, and driving schools and third-party testers set their own prices.
- Pay with cash, a check made out to DOR, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or contactless pay, one fee at a time.
- Next step: practice on the free Colorado Class R practice test so you are ready for the written test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Colorado permit fee include a motorcycle permit?
Yes. The $20 REAL ID instruction permit fee includes the motorcycle permit. A Standard instruction permit costs $23. A motorcycle endorsement on a license is a different item: it adds $2.00 to the driver's license fee when the license is issued with the endorsement.
How much does it cost to retake the Colorado driving test?
The state fee is $15.40 each time you retake the driving test, on top of regular testing fees. The DMV does not book drive tests, so you book the retake with an approved school or testing location. After a fail, you can retake the test once per day, starting the next day.
Can I pay the Colorado retest fee online?
For the $11.50 written retest fee, yes: you can pay it online through myDMV, which started on April 1, 2026, or in the office at your appointment. For the $15.40 drive retest fee, plan to pay in person at your DMV appointment. Each retest fee is a separate payment.
What does a duplicate Colorado license or permit cost?
A first duplicate permit or license costs $12.30, and each later duplicate costs $16.40. A person of any age whose license is lost, stolen or destroyed can get a duplicate. The duplicate fee is a separate payment, because fees cannot be combined on one card charge or one check.
How much is the Colorado license reinstatement fee?
The reinstatement fee is $95.00. If you reinstate after a DUI offense, you also pay a $25 DUI/DWAI restoration fee, so these two state fees come to $120. You can also order your driving record for $9.25, or $10.25 for a certified copy by mail or at the Lakewood office.
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