Colorado is a beautiful state with plenty to see and do in it. From the staggeringly gorgeous Rocky Mountains to the famous mile high city of Denver, you will never run out of things to entertain you in this great western state. If you love the outdoors, you will find miles of hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing trails available year round. There is a lot of wilderness here, so you have plenty of chances to see wildlife of all kinds. The air is clean, the people are progressive-minded, and there are lots of "green" businesses to patronize. It was also listed as among the top 3 states in the nation for business by CNBC in 2010, meaning there are lots of job and entrepreneurial opportunities here.

If you’re moving to Colorado, or have recently moved there, you’re going to need some time to become accustomed to the state’s driving laws. They may be different from the state you’re leaving. This is particularly true when it comes to a teen getting a learners permit to drive, and the car insurance requirements for both teen and adult drivers.

There are three stages of licensing for beginning drivers under the age of 21 in Colorado (if you’re over 21, these stages do not apply to you, and you can just test for your regular license). The stages are:

Driver Education Permit–Teens between 15 and 15 1/2 years old can apply.

Driver Awareness Permit–Teens between 15 1/2 and 16 years old can apply.

Minor Learner’s Permit–Young people between 16 and 21 years old can apply.

Each type of permit comes with its own set of requirements for obtaining and using it. Permits are good for three years each, but the next permit may be applied for prior to that, once the teen reaches the correct age.

If you have any questions about adding a teen driver to your car insurance in Colorado, or what the coverage requirements are for adult drivers, contact one of your local CO Insurance Specialist agents to discuss it. You can also get instant auto insurance quotes online on the CO Insurance Specialist website whenever you need one.