Parents of a minor who is about to get their instruction permit or minor driver’s license knows the fear and stress that goes along with having a minor driver in their household. Safety is priority number one for any parent when it involves their children, especially when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle that weighs several thousand pounds and can travel at very high rates of speed. Even at low speeds it takes only a moment of distraction for something serious to go wrong.

Many parents and guardians don’t know until their child applies for their instruction permit or driver’s license that they must sign a document called an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship as a prerequisite for their minor son or daughter to obtain their instruction permit or minor driver’s license. This affidavit makes the parent or guardian financially liable for any injuries caused by their son or daughter while driving a motor vehicle. This financial responsibility may last as long as three years as teenagers in Colorado can apply for their instruction permit at 15 years old and financial liability lasts until the minor turns 18 or the signing parent or guardian files a verified written request to cancel the minor’s license.

Because parents or guardians would become financially responsible for any injuries caused, it is important to make sure that your child’s insurance and your own insurance is sufficient to cover serious injuries. Colorado only requires operators of motor vehicles to carry insurance liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries. This is not enough, especially when there are multiple people injured and/or serious injuries are caused. If you and your child only have the minimum insurance coverage in Colorado, and your son or daughter causes serious injuries to someone else while driving the minor driver’s parent or guardian who signed the Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship may have personal financial exposure and responsibility for any damages in excess of any applicable car insurance coverage.