What Colorado requires in your driving log

Colorado requires you to record every supervised drive in a logbook while you hold a learner's permit. The state does not provide a specific form — you can use a notebook, a printed template, or a digital tracker — but the log must show the same information every time: the date, the time of day, the location or route, the weather conditions, and the number of hours driven. Your supervising driver (a licensed adult at least 21 years old) must sign or initial each entry.

You need to complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving before you can take the road test for your driver's license. Of those 50 hours, at least 10 must happen between sunset and sunrise. Colorado's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not collect the logbook before your test — your instructor or testing examiner may ask to see it, but the main purpose is to prove to yourself and your supervising driver that you have met the hour requirement.

If you are taking a driver education course through a school or private instructor, that instructor may keep their own record of your in-car hours. Those hours count toward your 50-hour requirement, but you still need to log any supervised driving you do outside of class with a parent, guardian, or other licensed adult.

Key Takeaways

  • Your logbook must record the date, time of day, location, weather, hours driven, and the supervising driver's signature for each drive.
  • You need 50 total hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours between sunset and sunrise.
  • Colorado does not require a specific logbook form, so you can create your own or read a template from the DMV website.
  • Hours completed in a driver education course count toward your 50-hour requirement, but you must still log any additional supervised driving with a parent or guardian.
  • You do not submit the logbook to the DMV before your road test, but you should keep it to show proof of your hours if asked.

How to set up your logbook

Start by deciding on a format that works for you. The Colorado DMV website offers a printable logbook template that includes columns for date, time, location, weather, hours, and supervising driver signature. If you prefer digital tracking, you can use a spreadsheet, a note-taking app, or a dedicated driving log app — just make sure you can print or display it if an instructor or examiner asks to see it.

Write down the information when ready after each drive, while details are still fresh. Include the starting time and ending time (or just the total hours if you prefer), the general area or route you drove, and a brief note about conditions — for example, "rain," "night driving," "highway," or "residential streets." These details matter because they show the variety of driving experience you are building, not just the total number of hours.

Have your supervising driver sign or initial the entry each time. This step is not just a formality — it confirms that an adult was present and aware of the drive, and it creates a record you can refer back to if there is ever a question about your hours.

Tracking your night driving hours

Night driving — any time between sunset and sunrise — requires separate tracking because Colorado mandates a minimum of 10 hours in low-light conditions. Mark these entries clearly in your logbook so you can count them separately from your daytime hours.

Night driving is often harder than daytime driving, so completing this requirement early is wise. You will face reduced visibility, glare from oncoming headlights, and different traffic patterns. Once you have logged your 10 night hours, you can focus the rest of your practice on whatever skills need the most work.

If you are unsure whether a particular time counts as "night," use sunset and sunrise times for your location on that date. You can find these times online or through weather apps. If you drive from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and sunset was at 6:45 p.m., the full hour counts as night driving.

What to do if you complete your hours through a driver education course

Many Colorado learner's permit holders take a driver education course, either in-school or through a private instructor. Hours completed in these courses count toward your 50-hour requirement. The instructor will keep a record of your in-car time and should provide you with documentation showing the hours you completed.

Even if you finish all 50 hours through a course, you still need to log any additional supervised driving you do with a parent or guardian outside of class. This is because the course record and your personal logbook serve different purposes: the course record proves you attended instruction, while your logbook shows the full range of your supervised driving experience.

Ask your instructor for a copy of your hours completed in their course. Bring this documentation along with your personal logbook when you go to take your road test, so you can show the examiner that you have met the requirement.

Preparing your logbook for your road test

Before your test date, review your logbook to make sure all entries are complete and legible. Check that you have at least 50 total hours recorded, with at least 10 of those hours marked as night driving. If you are short on hours, you still have time to complete additional supervised drives before your appointment.

Bring your logbook with you to the DMV on test day. The examiner may ask to see it, especially if there is any question about whether you have met the hour requirement. Having it organized and straightforward to read makes the process faster. If you took a driver education course, bring that documentation as well.

The logbook itself does not determine whether you pass or fail the road test — your driving skills and knowledge of traffic laws do. But having a complete, signed logbook shows that you have put in the practice time and taken the requirement seriously.

Common mistakes to avoid in your logbook

The most common error is forgetting to have your supervising driver sign each entry. Without a signature, there is no way to verify that an adult was actually present during the drive. Make it a habit to ask for the signature before you even turn off the engine.

Another mistake is backdating entries or filling in multiple drives at once from memory. This defeats the purpose of the logbook and can raise questions if an examiner notices that several entries are written in the same handwriting or ink. Record your information the same day you drive, while the details are accurate.

Do not assume that all your night hours are logged correctly. If you drove from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and sunset was at 7:00 p.m., only the second half of that hour counts as night driving. Be precise about when night driving actually begins and ends so your count is accurate.

Finally, do not skip logging hours just because you think you have enough. Keep recording every supervised drive until you take your test. This creates a complete record and ensures you have a buffer in case any hours are questioned.

Where to find a logbook template

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles provides a free logbook template on its website. Search for "Colorado DMV learner's permit logbook" or visit the DMV's teen driver section. The template includes all the columns you need and is ready to print.

If you prefer a digital option, several driving log apps are available for smartphones and tablets. These apps often include automatic time tracking, weather logging, and reminders to get your supervising driver's signature. Some are free; others charge a small fee. Any format works as long as it captures the required information and is straightforward to review.

You can also create your own logbook using a notebook or spreadsheet. The format does not matter — only that the information is clear, complete, and signed by your supervising driver each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the official Colorado DMV logbook template?

No. Colorado does not require a specific form. You can use a notebook, a printed template from the DMV website, a spreadsheet, or a driving log app. The only requirement is that each entry includes the date, time, location, weather, hours driven, and your supervising driver's signature or initials.

What counts as a supervising driver?

A supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license. This is usually a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult. The person must be physically present in the vehicle with you during the entire drive and must sign your logbook entry.

Can I count hours from a driver education course toward my 50-hour requirement?

Yes. Hours completed in a driver education course — whether in-school or through a private instructor — count toward your 50-hour requirement. Ask your instructor for documentation of the hours you completed, and bring it with you to your road test along with your personal logbook.

What if I do not have 50 hours logged by my road test appointment?

You can still take the test, but you may be asked to reschedule if the examiner determines you have not met the requirement. It is better to complete your hours before your appointment. If you are close, you can request a later test date to give yourself time to finish.

Do I have to submit my logbook to the DMV before I take my road test?

No. You keep your logbook and bring it with you to your test appointment. The examiner may ask to see it, but you do not mail it in or submit it ahead of time. Keep it organized and accessible in case it is requested.