Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Colorado, United States 2021

Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation throughout the United States, but each state has its 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 credentials to operate the vehicle, required 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. 

Since the likelihood of getting into an accident atop a motorcycle is higher than other automobiles, every rider, both careful and energetic, should have motorcycle insurance recognized in Colorado. As you travel in Colorado, your insurance plan has to include these charges:

• $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 covered:

• Collision coverage

• Uninsured coverage

• Underinsured coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

• Personal injury protection coverage

• Towing and roadside assistance coverage

It is not mandatory for either operator or passenger to wear a motorcycle helmet while riding the vehicle if they are over 18 years old.

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 

Colorado states that a motorcycle helmet has to be in compliance with 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 details you need to know if you are a teenager on your step to getting a Colorado motorcycle license:

• If you are below the age of 18, you are required 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 1 year

• If you are between ages 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

Because the primary holders of Colorado motorcycle instruction permits are minors, they may not a full understanding for the rules of the road. They can operate a motorcycle with the following restrictions:

• 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

After you have turned 16, you can apply for a Colorado motorcycle endorsement after you have paid $21 for a Colorado driver’s license plus $2 for the motorcycle endorsement. Listed below are the requirements for being eligible for a Colorado motorcycle license:

*If you are over the age of 18, you did not have to hold 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 waiving the skills test.

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

Written Portion:

• Complete 25 multiple-choice questions 

• Questions based on Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Manual

• Need a passing grade of 84% or higher

Riding Portion:

• Required 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

Colorado does not have any laws that require passengers to fall under a certain age range to be able to ride.

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

Motorcyclists who want to lane split in Colorado will be punished by local law enforcement. When riding on any roads, highways, or freeways, you are not allowed to do any of the following:

• 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 due to their size:

• 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

While the steel or aluminum alloyed frame that motorcycles possess can deflect most flying debris with minimal damage to the chassis, the components can still get rusty or weathered down. It is not always noticeable at first when your motorcycle’s efficiency is starting to go down. To avoid any problems with your motorcycle, you should try to inspect these components before every trip or at least once a month:

• Horn

• Wheels

• Tires

• Handlebars 

•  Brake system 

• Controls

• Headlight

•  Taillight 

•  Brake light 

•  Reflector 

• Exhaust system

•  Muffler 

•  Rearview mirrors 

•  Turn signals 

• Colorado Department of Transportation - Safety: Motorcycle Laws
• Colorado General Assembly - Mandatory Automobile Insurance in Colorado
• Department of Public Safety Colorado State Patrol - Motorcycle Laws
• Colorado Department of Revenue - Motorcycle Endorsement
• Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Handbook