DMV to offer first-time issuance of CDLs and CLPs, CDL written exams, endorsements at 9 offices, also allows CDL testing facilities to reopen on May 4
DENVER Friday, April 17, 2020 -- The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is taking steps to help commercial drivers keep grocers, and many other critical businesses, stocked.
On Monday, May 4, 2020, the DMV will reopen nine driver license offices to commercial drivers on an appointment-only basis in an effort to help keep Colorado's economy rolling.
The Aurora, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, Golden, Lakewood Westgate, Loveland, Montrose, Northglenn and Pueblo driver license offices will offer the following services to Colorado commercial drivers:
- Issuance of Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) to applicants who have met all the training requirements
- Issuance of Commercial Learner's Permits (CLP)
- Upgrade of license for CDL drivers adding endorsements
- Administration of CDL written exams
The reopening of these nine offices is part of a comprehensive plan to reopen driver license offices throughout the state to all Coloradans on an appointment-only basis. The DMV will evaluate the reopening process and will make any adjustments as necessary to protect and serve our customers and staff members. Announcements about subsequent reopening phases will be made as they are rolled out.
The DMV worked with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Colorado Department of Transportation and third-party CDL testers to develop the limited-reopenings plan.
Commercial drivers can schedule appointments by calling 303-205-5613 opt. 4, and as a safety precaution, the DMV requires commercial drivers to wear masks and gloves during their visit. For the health and wellness of customers and staff, the DMV will not serve walk-in customers, regardless of commercial status, or commercial drivers who aren't Colorado residents, during this limited-basis, appointment-only reopening. Additionally, for everyone's health and safety, customers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will not be seen for appointments. While testing and licensing will resume, training and educational facilities will still be closed until further notice.
When demand for commercial driver appointments decreases, the nine offices will start offering appointments for additional services.
"We have taken the necessary actions to resume CDL services in these nine offices in a manner that will protect the health and wellness of customers and employees while meeting the needs of the commercial motor vehicle industry." said DMV Senior Director Mike Dixon "We remain dedicated to the people of Colorado and providing these essential DMV services in this challenging new environment.
The reopened offices have been disinfected and deep cleaned, and have had glass barriers installed at work stations to minimize COVID-19 transmission risks. Additional proactive health and wellness measures include:
- Utilizing social distancing by creating spacing lines to help ensure 6 feet of separation and spacing out work stations
- Limiting offices to 10 or fewer people inside (this number includes DMV team members)
- Ensuring an adequate supply of disinfectant cleaning products are in each office
- Staff will clean any equipment used after each commercial driver
- Following CDC isolation guidelines should any illness present itself
As the DMV rolls out these limited office openings, it is also allowing commercial driving testing units in Colorado to reopen so they can test new commercial drivers. These testing units will adhere to the following safety precautions:
- Testing units may establish online learning for classroom education.
- All staff and drivers will follow basic safety precautions, including temperature testing at the beginning of each day, and will follow CDC isolation guidelines should any illness present itself.
- Social distancing, of 6 feet between driver and tester, will be maintained during skills tests and includes vehicle inspection, backing maneuvers and drive test.
- For all testing units‚ "in-cab" testing will only be on a 1:1 ratio, and include the following protective measures:
- Driver and tester will wear protective face masks during the test.
- Driver and tester will be screened for symptoms before entering a test vehicle.
- All interior and exterior components of the equipment will be wiped down with disinfectant after each use.
- Disposable gloves will be worn during testing and cleaning, and will be replaced after each cleaning.
- Facilities will be disinfected at least two times per day and logged daily.
- Facilities will have very limited office staff, practicing safe distancing, with work at home alternatives whenever possible.
For Coloradans who are not commercial drivers, the DMV has made several changes to help fight COVID-19’s spread while offering Coloradans the services they need. These include:
- Drivers 65 and older are temporarily able to renew online at mydmv.colorado.gov.
- Coloradans 21 to 64 whose license or ID will expire during our closure but are unable to renew online will receive an automatic extension for 60 days past their current expiration date.
- Coloradans younger than 21 can now renew online, if they are eligible to renew their driver license, instruction permit or identification card
- CDL drivers - CDL holders with HAZMAT endorsements who are set to expire during our closure through April 30, have automatically been extended for 60 days from their previous expiration date
- Commercial license permit holders - Commercial license permit holders who are set to expire during our closure through April 30, have automatically been extended for 60 days from their previous expiration date.
While the DMV has no further announcements about reopening its offices for noncommercial drivers and identification card holders at this time, the DMV will evaluate and incorporate insight gleaned from the limited reopenings to better serve Coloradans while safeguarding their health and wellbeing when visiting us.
For more information, please visit dmv.colorado.gov.