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The base fee for a Colorado instruction permit is $20.00.
The base fee for a Colorado instruction permit is $20.00. Full application requirements are at the Colorado learner's permit guide. The total can also include testing charges and private education or training costs, depending on the applicant's path.
Your total cost depends on your age, test performance, and training path. The $20.00 permit issuance fee is a fixed DMV credential fee; @Home testing and private driver education or training are separate costs.
| Fee Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction Permit Issuance | $20.00 | Current regular instruction-permit fee. |
| Written Knowledge Retest | $11.50 | Current state retest fee after a failed attempt. |
| @Home Retest After a Failed Attempt | $18.00 total | $6.50 @Home charge plus the $11.50 state retest fee when both apply. |
| Duplicate Permit | $12.30 | Cost to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged permit. |
Failing the written knowledge test is the most common reason costs escalate. There are no free retakes.
Save Time: Study the official handbook thoroughly before your appointment. A student in Aurora failed their first attempt on obscure road sign questions, paid the $11.50 retest fee, and had to wait two weeks for a new appointment slot, delaying their driving practice.
Keep the fee types separate: the $20 permit and $11.50 written-retest fee are state DMV charges. The $6.50 @Home charge is separate, while driver education, behind-the-wheel lessons, third-party testing, and vehicle services are private costs that vary by provider.
The $20 fee is the state fee for issuing the regular Colorado instruction permit. It is separate from a knowledge-test retest fee, the $6.50 @Home testing charge, and any private driver-education or driving-school costs.
The regular permit fee is $20. If you need a state knowledge-test retest, add $11.50. If the later attempt is taken through @Home, the $6.50 online testing charge also applies, so that later online attempt can add $18.00 in testing charges.
Yes. The $6.50 charge is for each @Home knowledge-test attempt. It is not the $20 permit issuance fee.
Yes. Colorado currently lists the regular instruction permit at $20 and the CO-RCSA Standard instruction permit at $23. The credential type determines the state permit fee.
Beyond the permit price, several other expenses can impact your budget.
Driver education and professional behind-the-wheel training can add private costs for younger applicants when those requirements apply. Course and lesson prices vary by provider; see the dedicated driver-education and behind-the-wheel cost pages for detailed requirements and pricing.
Do Not Overlook This: Gather all documents-SSN card, birth certificate, two proofs of Colorado address-before you go. A common reason for rejection at the Lakewood office is a parent's proof of address that doesn't match the applicant's listed residence, requiring a second trip.
The Colorado DMV accepts cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Money orders must be made payable to the Department of Revenue exactly or they will be rejected at the counter.
State Driver License Offices accept several payment methods, but detailed card, check, money-order, returned-payment, and online-payment rules belong in the dedicated Payment Methods article. Check the accepted method before your visit and bring a backup payment option when practical.
To avoid surprises, bring the following:
Colorado fee increases take effect July 1 - and booking confirmation emails never auto-update. One Colorado Springs applicant arrived $7 short because the confirmation showed the old fee. Double-check dmv.colorado.gov/state-dmv-fees the week of your appointment, not at the time of booking.
Locals Know This: Schedule your DMV appointment for early morning on a weekday. A Fort Collins applicant arrived at 1:30 PM on a Friday and faced a 3-hour wait, which rushed their test and contributed to a failing score due to stress.
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New Driver
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Permit Holder
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