Driver & Motor Vehicle Services

Beginning July 1, 2016, fees related to a driver's license are increased. These fees, which were initially set in statute and increased by the department of revenue, are further increased as follows:

• $2.60 to $9 for a driving record;
• $3.20 to $10 for a certified driving record;
• $9 to $12 for a duplicate permit or minor driver's license;
• $3.60 to $6.50 for a driver's license extension;
• $360 to $3,094 for licensing testing units for the initial license, and from $120 to $1,052 for each subsequent annual license renewal; and
• $120 to $148 for licensing driving testers for the initial license, and from $60 to $140 for each subsequent annual license renewal.

In addition, the fee for a driver's license or minor driver's license is increased from $25 to $26 during the fiscal year 2016-17, to $27 for the fiscal year 2017-18, and to $28 thereafter. Like the existing fees, the department has the authority to raise or lower all of the increased fees in the future. The portion of the revenue from these fees and others that a county clerk and recorder collects and retains is increased. The state's portion of the fees is deposited in the licensing services cash fund, and the act requires all of the money in the fund to remain there at the end of a fiscal year.

If a person fails a driver's license test, the act:

• Specifies that the current surcharge for retesting, added for issuance of a driver's or minor driver's license, applies regardless of whether an applicant retakes the examination or demonstration with the department of revenue or a vendor approved by the department;
• Establishes a procedure whereby, after qualifying for a driver's license but failing the driving test, an applicant for a driver's license who is not a permanent lawful resident may use a private vendor to readminister the driving test. The applicant must successfully complete the driver's test within 60 days after the first attempt.

For the next 3 fiscal years, the general assembly is permitted to appropriate moneys from the highway users tax fund to the department for use by the division of motor vehicles for expenses incurred in connection with the administration of driver and vehicle services. These appropriations are in addition to the existing off-the-top appropriations from the fund for the Colorado state patrol.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)