The Foster Children Driver License Act (House Bill 19-1023), signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis on May 20, 2019, streamlines the process foster children go through when obtaining a driver license.
The new law, which affects about 500 foster children currently of driving age in Colorado, makes the following changes:
Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship
Instead of requiring a foster parent or other legal guardian to sign an affidavit of liability, foster children are now exempt if they have evidence of financial responsibility (SR-22) in their name. Previously, foster children had to have their foster parent or other legal guardian sign an affidavit of liability.
Drive time logs
Foster children's drive time logs may now be signed by anyone who is older than 21 and has a valid driver license, if that person provided the instruction. Previously, those who signed the drive time logs had to be parent, guardian or other responsible adult who has signed the affidavit of liability. The change gives foster children more flexibility in getting their drive time logs signed. Now aunts, uncles, grandparents, mentors, faith leaders and more can sign the drive time logs if they meet the criteria.
Driving instruction
Anyone who is at least 21 years of age and who holds a driver license may instruct a foster child who has a driving permit. Previously, foster children who had an instruction permit and were younger than 16 had to be instructed in driving by the person who signed the affidavit of liability.
Although the licensing process has been streamlined, foster children must still meet the same proficiency standards other Colorado drivers meet.
Prior to the Foster Children Driver License Act, the licensing process was set up for young adults with a more traditional family support system. These changes allow foster children, who often faced difficulties meeting Colorado's Graduated Driver Laws requirements, to reach an important milestone despite often not having a traditional support network.
Visit our webpage for more information on the Foster Children Driver License Act (HB 19-1023).
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