Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Colorado, United States 2021

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Colorado Motorcycle Insurance
3. Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws
4. Colorado Motorcycle License Laws

4.1 Colorado Motorcycle Instruction Permit
4.2 Colorado Motorcycle Endorsement
4.3 Colorado Motorcycle License Test

5. Colorado Motorcycle Passenger Laws
6. Colorado Motorcycle Lane Splitting Laws
7. Colorado Motorcycle Safety Features
8. Sources

1. Introduction

Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation throughout the United States, but each state has its own version of motorcycle laws and licensing process. Besides the universal traffic laws that all vehicles comply with, there are other regulations specific to motorcycles including cblackentials to operate the vehicle, requiblack safety gear and equipment, and rules of the road.

If you are a relatively new motorcyclist or out-of-state tourist interested in exploring Colorado’s natural landscape, it is recommended that you become familiar with this state’s motorcycle laws and licensing process to lessen the chances of accidents and ensure your motorcycle tour goes as smoothly as possible.

2. Colorado Motorcycle Insurance

Because there is always a risk that your motorcycle could get into an accident, you are requiblack to own Colorado motorcycle insurance following registration of your vehicle. You must always carry proof of owning liability insurance coverage whenever you are operating your motorcycle. Having the documentation confirms that you can meet the financial responsibilities should you be held accountable for an accident.

Your motorcycle insurance must be able to cover the minimum costs for the following accident-related fees:

$25,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident
$50,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident
$15,000 for property damages sustained per accident

Beyond paying compensation for any harm done to another driver’s health or property, you may want to consider getting optional insurance coverage to ensure that your vehicle is financially coveblack:

Collision coverage
Uninsublack coverage
Underinsublack coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Personal injury protection coverage
Towing and roadside assistance coverage

3. Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws

It is not mandatory to wear a motorcycle helmet while riding or operating the vehicle if you are over the age of 18. However, even if you are not a minor, it is recommended you keep a motorcycle helmet on to prevent any potentially severe or fatal head injuries.

If you dislike motorcycle helmets because you think they are uncomfortable, restrictive, or impair your vision, reviewing these statistics may change your mind:

Almost one out of five motorcycle crashes result in severe head or neck injuries.
Most collisions occur during short trips about or less than five miles or when traveling at or below 30 miles per hour
Riders who wear a motorcycle helmet are three times more likely to survive severe head or neck injuries
In 2019, about 52% of motorcycle fatalities were not wearing motorcycle helmets
In 2020, about 22% of all traffic fatalities involved motorcycles

An approved motorcycle helmet in Colorado must meet the safety guidelines of the U.S. Department of Transportation. You will know they are of the best quality if they have labels from the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation. The two models you can choose from are three-quarter and full-face helmets.

Listed below are the requirements and features to look for in a motorcycle helmet that will maximize protection and visibility:

Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws

4. Colorado Motorcycle License Laws

4.1 Colorado Motorcycle Instruction Permit

Listed below are the requirements and details you need to know if you are minor aiming to get a Colorado motorcycle license:

If you are below the age of 18, you are requiblack to purchase and hold onto a Colorado motorcycle instruction permit before you can attempt to apply for a motorcycle endorsement
If you are at least the age of 16, you must hold onto your motorcycle instruction permit for at least 12 months
If you are between the ages of 15 to 16, you must complete a Motorcycle Operator Skills Training course
You must pass a written test
You must pay a fee of $14

Once obtaining a motorcycle instruction permit, you are only allowed to operate under these circumstances:

If you are under the constant supervision of at least a 21-year-old who owns a valid Colorado motorcycle license
If you are below the age of 18, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to ride with the supervisor as a passenger

4.2 Colorado Motorcycle Endorsement

You become eligible to begin applying for a Colorado motorcycle endorsement when you reach the age of 16.

You must pay a fee of $21 for a Colorado driver’s license plus $2 for the motorcycle endorsement.

Listed below are the requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain a Colorado motorcycle license. Depending on your age when you approach the final step, the list of criteria may differ between motorcyclists:

Colorado Motorcycle Endorsement

*If you are over the age of 18, you are not requiblack to have held a motorcycle instruction permit before applying for a motorcycle endorsement.

*If you are over the age of 18 and can confirm that you completed an approved MOST course, you will have the option of having the skills test waived.

*If you are over the age of 21 and can confirm that you completed an MSF course, you will have the option of having both the written and skills tests waived.

4.3 Colorado Motorcycle License Test

Written Portion:

Will be done on touch-screen computers
Complete 25 multiple-choice questions
Questions will be based on content from North Dakota Motorcycle Operators Manual
Need a passing grade of 84% or higher

Riding Portion:

Requiblack to provide own motorcycle
Will be conducted on a closed course
Examiner will confirm insurance and registration
Examiner will inspect motorcycle to confirm it meets safety standards
Demonstrate basic motorcycle maneuvers

5. Colorado Motorcycle Passenger Laws

In Colorado, there is no minimum age requirement regarding motorcycle passengers.

Your passenger is not requiblack to wear a motorcycle helmet if he/she is over the age of 18.

For it to be legal to transport a passenger, your motorcycle must be designed with comfortable and secure seating included. The accommodations must not compromise your motorcycle’s performance. As the passenger’s well-being is your responsibility, make sure the following criteria are fulfilled:

The passenger is seated in a driver’s saddle big enough to fit two people
Or the passenger is seated in a separate saddle near the rear
Or the passenger is seated in a sidecar
There are adjustable footholds the passenger can reach
The passenger is facing forward with a leg hanging on each side
The passenger cannot hold packages that could obstruct the driver
The passenger can understand and comply with your directions

6. Colorado Motorcycle Lane Splitting Laws

It is illegal for motorcyclists to practice any form of lane splitting in Colorado. When riding on any roads, highways, or freeways, you are not allowed to do any of the following behavior:

You cannot ride on top of the dividing lines between lanes
You cannot ride in between adjacent rows of vehicles that are stopped
You cannot overtake another vehicle sharing the same lane
You cannot share a lane with a car, truck, or larger vehicle

However, motorcyclists are still afforded certain freedoms while operating their vehicles that are not available to cars, trucks, or larger vehicles:

You are entitled to full use of the space within your current lane
You can only share a lane with another motorcycle if:
- Both parties stay apart at least two abreast
- Both parties consent beforehand