Driving Tests

Colorado Permit Test: Pass Mark, Retakes, Spanish and Interpreters

informational·how to guide·Published July 8, 2026

What score do I need on the Colorado written test, and how often can I retake it?

At a Colorado driving school, you need a correct score of 80% or higher to pass the written test. You can retake the test as many times as needed, but only twice in one day. Each retest has an $11.50 state fee, plus regular testing fees, as of 2026. The test is in English and Spanish only. For another spoken language, you bring your own translator.

Where these Colorado test rules come from

The rules come from the Colorado DMV page on permits and first-time licenses, the DMV page on the @Home Driving Knowledge Test and Rule 8 of the DMV rules (1 CCR 204-30) for driving schools. The Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), the DMV adult permit and fee pages, Rule 1, Rule 17 and section 42-2-114 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (2024 edition) add detail. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Colorado DMV (dmv.colorado.gov) before you drive.

Three ways to take the Colorado written test

Three ways to take the Colorado written test
Where	What to know
@Home (online)	Each try costs $6.50. The test is in English and Spanish and can be read aloud if your computer has speakers. A test-taker younger than 19 needs an adult older than 19 as a proxy. Bring the confirmation that you passed to the DMV, on paper or on a screen.
DMV office	You need an appointment. The test is in English and Spanish. After a pass, you can get the permit at the same visit if you bring the required documents.
Driving school (third party)	The school must require a correct score of 80% or higher to pass. Retake limits are stricter (see below), and the school can add its own fees. A minor who passes here brings proof of the pass to the DMV.

What the Colorado written test covers

The written test covers driving knowledge and safety. The questions come from the Colorado Driver Handbook: road signs, driving under the influence, driving rules, safety rules and legal items. To study, read the handbook and take the Practice Quiz on the DMV Driver Education page. Practice quizzes are also in the myColorado app. Our free Colorado question pages (English only) can help you review. Two examples are what a red eight-sided STOP sign requires and what to do at a flashing red signal.

Retake rules and the $11.50 retest fee

You can take the written test as many times as needed, but only twice in one day. The same limit applies to the @Home test. The state fee is $11.50 each time you retake the test, in addition to regular testing fees. Colorado law (2024 edition) says this surcharge applies whether you retake the test with the DMV or with a vendor that the DMV approved. You can pay at your appointment or online through myDMV. An @Home try costs $6.50 ($5 testing fee plus a $1.50 card fee). For all Colorado permit, license and retest prices, read our guide to Colorado permit, license and retest costs.

Extra retake rules at a Colorado driving school

You want to test at more than one school on the same day

You may not take more than two tests per day, at one school location or at different locations.

You fail your first test at a school

Each later school test must be a different version of the test.

You miss more than 50% of the questions on your first try

You must wait until the next day to test again.

You have failed four paper tests at schools

A school may give up to four paper written tests per applicant in total, including tests at other schools. After four failed paper tests, take later paper tests at a DMV driver license office. This limit does not apply to tests done electronically.

Spanish test and Spanish handbook

The DMV gives the written test in English and Spanish in the office. It does not have the test in other languages at this time. The @Home test is also in English and Spanish, and the testing application can read it aloud in either language if you have speakers connected to your computer. The DMV also lists a Spanish version of the handbook, the Manual Del Conductor, for download. For the full @Home steps, read our guide to the Colorado @Home permit test.

Help at the DMV office: accommodations and other languages

Ask the testing station to read the exam aloud. Bring plug-in headphones to your appointment.
Have the exam translated aloud into another spoken language. You provide the translator.
Ask for a sign language interpreter. The DMV provides this service.
Ask for other ADA accommodations with the DMV's ADA request form for driver license services.

Interpreter rules for the written test

For an adult permit, the DMV records the name and license or ID card number of your interpreter on your permanent motor vehicle record. At a driving school, Rule 8 allows an interpreter who is at least 16 and shows an unexpired driver's license from any U.S. state. The interpreter may interpret only the questions and answer choices. For a Standard credential (CO-RCSA) license or permit, Rule 1 sets the same age of 16 and also accepts an unexpired ID card. The interpreter may translate only the written questions and answers. An interpreter who helps beyond that cannot interpret for any applicant going forward.

Key takeaways

At a Colorado driving school, the written test pass mark is a correct score of 80% or higher.
You can retake the test as many times as needed, but only twice in one day. Each retest has an $11.50 state fee.
At a school, more than 50% wrong on a first try means you wait until the next day. After four failed paper tests, go to a DMV office.
The test is in English and Spanish only. For another language, bring your own translator. The DMV provides sign language interpreters.
Next step: practice on the free Colorado Class R practice test.

Colorado written test: common questions

Do adults have to take the Colorado written test?

Yes. The written test, also called the driving knowledge test, is required for all ages. One exception is for new residents under 21: if you move to Colorado with a valid out-of-state permit, you do not need to take the written test again. You still visit a DMV office to get a Colorado-issued permit.

Can I take the written test late in the day at a DMV office?

Plan to arrive early. Colorado driver license offices do not give written tests within 30 minutes of the office's scheduled closing time. You also need an appointment for the in-office test, which you make at myDMV.Colorado.gov. If you pass and bring the required documents, you can get your instruction permit at the same visit.

How long is a driving school written test result good for?

The test record that a driving school issues (the TPE) is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. A minor who passes the test at a school brings proof of the pass to the DMV office. A school must not give the written test to anyone younger than 14 years and 11 months.

What if I need the test in a language other than Spanish?

You can have the exam translated aloud into another spoken language, but you must provide the translator. A friend, family member or interpreter can help, and that person must show valid ID. If you need sign language, the DMV provides the interpreter.