Colorado tracks driving violations as points on your license, and too many points in a short time can lead to suspension

Colorado's point system assigns a number to each traffic violation you receive. When you accumulate too many points within a certain period, the Colorado Department of Revenue suspends your license. The suspension length depends on how many points you collected and how quickly. Unlike some states, Colorado does not let points straightforward expire after a set time — they stay on your record, but their impact on suspension may be able to access changes based on the window the state is looking at.

Understanding how many points each violation carries, how fast they add up, and what happens when you hit the limit helps you know whether a ticket will threaten your driving privileges and what your options are if it does.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado assigns points to traffic violations, ranging from 1 point for minor infractions to 12 points for serious offenses like DUI or reckless driving.
  • Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months, 18 or more points within 24 months, or 24 or more points within 36 months triggers a mandatory license suspension.
  • Your first suspension is typically 30 days; a second suspension within five years is 90 days; a third is one year.
  • You can request a hearing before suspension takes effect, and you may be able to reduce points through traffic school or defensive driving courses in some cases.
  • Points remain on your driving record permanently in Colorado, but they only count toward suspension thresholds within the relevant time window.

What each traffic violation is worth in points

Colorado assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit carry 1 point. Speeding 6 to 25 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. Speeding more than 25 miles per hour over the limit is 8 points. Reckless driving is 8 points, and driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI) is 12 points.

Other common violations include careless driving (4 points), following too closely (4 points), improper lane change (4 points), and failure to obey a traffic control device (4 points). Leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and certain other serious violations also carry 12 points. You can find the complete point schedule on the Colorado Department of Revenue website, but the key takeaway is that most everyday tickets are 4 points, while serious criminal violations are 8 to 12 points.

How Colorado calculates when suspension happens

Colorado looks at your points within three different time windows. If you accumulate 12 or more points within any 12-month period, your license is suspended. If you accumulate 18 or more points within any 24-month period, your license is suspended. If you accumulate 24 or more points within any 36-month period, your license is suspended. The state uses a rolling window, meaning it looks backward from today's date, not from a fixed calendar year.

For example, if you received a 4-point ticket on January 15, 2024, and another 4-point ticket on January 20, 2025, those two violations are within the same 12-month window and total 8 points — not yet at the 12-point threshold. But if you received a third 4-point ticket on February 1, 2025, you would have 12 points within the 12-month window from February 1, 2024, to February 1, 2025, and suspension would be triggered.

Suspension length and repeat offenses

Your first suspension in Colorado is 30 days. If you receive a second suspension within five years of the first one, the suspension is 90 days. A third suspension within five years is one year. If more than five years pass between suspensions, the clock resets and the next suspension is 30 days again.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. Some people are able to obtain a restricted license that allows driving to work, school, or medical appointments, but this requires a hearing and approval from the Department of Revenue.

How to request a hearing before suspension

When the Colorado Department of Revenue notifies you that your license will be suspended, the notice includes information about your right to a hearing. You typically have 20 days from the date of the notice to request one. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points were assessed incorrectly, that a violation was dismissed in court, or that other circumstances warrant a different outcome.

A hearing does not automatically prevent suspension, but it gives you a chance to correct errors or present your side. If you believe a ticket was issued unfairly, you can also fight the ticket itself in traffic court before the points are added to your record. Winning in court means the violation does not count toward your point total.

Reducing points through traffic school or defensive driving

Colorado allows you to reduce points in limited situations. If you complete a defensive driving course approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue, you may be able to remove up to 3 points from your record once every 12 months. However, this option is only available if you have not used it in the past 12 months, and the course must be completed before your suspension takes effect.

Not all violations may have access to for point reduction through a course. Serious violations like DUI, DWAI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license cannot be reduced this way. Additionally, taking a defensive driving course does not erase the violation from your record — it only reduces the points associated with it. Some insurance companies also offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course, which can offset the cost of the class.

How points affect your insurance rates

Insurance companies in Colorado can see your driving record, including all points and violations. Each point or violation typically increases your insurance premium, and the increase varies by company and by how serious the violation is. A single 4-point speeding ticket might raise your rate by 10 to 20 percent for three to five years. A DUI or reckless driving conviction can double or triple your premium and may cause some companies to drop you entirely.

If you are suspended, you will need SR22 insurance (also called a certificate of financial responsibility) to reinstate your license. SR22 is not a type of insurance — it is a form your insurance company files with the state proving you have liability coverage. SR22 insurance is significantly more expensive than standard coverage and is required for a minimum of three years after reinstatement in most cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points ever disappear from my Colorado driving record?

Points do not expire or disappear in Colorado. However, they only count toward suspension thresholds within the relevant time window (12, 24, or 36 months). A violation from five years ago still appears on your record but does not affect your current suspension risk unless you are looking at a 36-month window that includes it.

Can I fight a ticket to avoid getting points?

Yes. If you contest the ticket in traffic court and win, the violation is dismissed and no points are added to your record. If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the points are assessed. Fighting the ticket itself is often more effective than trying to reduce points after the fact.

What happens if I get suspended while I am out of state?

Colorado suspensions are recognized by other states through the Interstate Compact on Driver's License Compact. Your license will be suspended in your home state as well. You cannot straightforward move to another state to avoid the suspension.

Can I drive to work during a suspension?

Not automatically. You can request a restricted license that allows driving for work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs, but you must request it at a hearing and the Department of Revenue must approve it. Driving outside the scope of a restricted license is a criminal offense.

How much does SR22 insurance cost in Colorado?

SR22 insurance costs vary by company and your driving history, but it is typically 50 to 100 percent more expensive than standard coverage. The exact amount depends on your age, the reason for suspension, and the insurance company you choose. You should get quotes from multiple companies before purchasing.