A Class R license is Colorado's restricted driver license for people whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked

A Class R license lets you drive to specific places — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — when your regular license has been suspended or revoked. It is not a full license. You can only drive during the hours and to the locations listed on the document, and you must carry it with you every time you drive.

Colorado issues Class R licenses through the Department of Revenue's Driver Services Division. The license itself looks different from a standard license and clearly marks it as restricted. If you are stopped by police, the officer will see when ready that you are driving under restrictions.

The most common reason people get a Class R license is a DUI or DWAI conviction, but suspension can also result from accumulating too many points, failing to pay child support, or other violations. A Class R is not automatic — you have to request one, and the state has to approve your request.

Key Takeaways

  • A Class R license only permits driving to pre-approved locations during approved hours, and you must list those locations when you request the license.
  • You can request a Class R license during a suspension period, but not during a revocation unless the revocation has ended and you have met all reinstatement requirements.
  • You must show proof of financial responsibility (usually an SR22 insurance form) before Colorado will issue a Class R license.
  • Driving outside the approved locations or hours, or driving without the Class R license in your possession, is a separate criminal offense.
  • A Class R license is temporary and expires when your suspension ends or when the court-ordered period ends, whichever comes first.

When you can request a Class R license

You can request a Class R license only during certain periods of your suspension. If your license was suspended (not revoked), you can request one when ready — you do not have to wait. If your license was revoked, you cannot get a Class R until the revocation period has ended and you have completed all reinstatement steps, which may include paying a reinstatement fee, completing a substance abuse course, or passing a written exam.

The timing depends on why your license was suspended or revoked. A suspension for unpaid child support might last until the debt is paid. A suspension for a DUI conviction typically lasts at least one year from the date of conviction, though it can be longer if you had prior DUI convictions. A revocation is permanent unless you go through formal reinstatement, which can take months or years.

You should contact the Colorado Department of Revenue Driver Services Division directly to find out whether you are currently may be able to access to request a Class R. They can tell you the exact date your suspension ends or what steps you still need to complete before a revocation can be lifted.

What locations and hours you can list on a Class R license

When you request a Class R license, you propose the locations you need to drive to and the hours you need to drive. Common approved locations include your workplace, your home, your school, a doctor's office, a court-ordered treatment program, or a substance abuse counselor's office. You can list multiple locations.

The hours you request should match your actual schedule. If you work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you might request driving privileges from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to account for commute time. If you attend a class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, you can request those specific days and times. The state does not automatically deny reasonable requests, but the request must be specific — you cannot ask for "anytime" or "anywhere."

The Colorado court or the Department of Revenue will review your request. They may approve it as written, modify it, or deny it. If you need to change your approved locations or hours later — for example, if you change jobs — you can request a modification, though the process takes time and is not may provide to be approved.

SR22 insurance requirement for a Class R license

Before Colorado will issue a Class R license, you must show proof of financial responsibility, which almost always means filing an SR22 form with the state. An SR22 is a certificate from your insurance company stating that you carry the minimum liability coverage required by Colorado law.

You cannot get a Class R license without active SR22 coverage in place. Your insurance company files the SR22 directly with the Department of Revenue on your behalf — you do not file it yourself. Once filed, the state can see that you have coverage, and your Class R license can be issued.

If your SR22 coverage lapses or is cancelled, your Class R license will be suspended when ready, even if you are in the middle of your restriction period. This is why it is critical to keep your insurance active and to notify your insurance company if you change vehicles or move.

How to request a Class R license in Colorado

You request a Class R license by submitting a form to the Colorado Department of Revenue Driver Services Division. The form is called the process for Restricted License (or a similar name depending on the type of suspension). You can obtain the form from the Department of Revenue website or by visiting a local driver license office in person.

On the form, you will list the specific locations you need to drive to, the days and hours you need to drive, and the reason for your request. You will also need to provide your driver license number, your current address, and proof that you have filed an SR22 (or proof of other financial responsibility if you are not required to file an SR22).

Submit the completed form to the address listed on the form, usually the Department of Revenue's Driver Services office in Denver. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether your request was approved, denied, or approved with modifications.

If your request is approved, you will be instructed to visit a driver license office to have your photo taken and receive your Class R license. Bring your current ID, proof of residency, and the approval notice. There is usually a small fee for issuing the license.

Penalties for driving outside your Class R restrictions

Driving outside the approved locations, hours, or days listed on your Class R license is a separate criminal offense in Colorado. It is not just a violation — it is a crime. You can be charged with driving under suspension or revocation, which carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension period.

If you are stopped by police and you are driving outside your approved area or time, the officer will see the Class R restriction on your license. You will likely be arrested on the spot. Even a short detour — stopping at a gas station on the way to work, for example — can result in charges if it is outside your approved route.

The penalties vary depending on whether this is your first offense and whether you have prior DUI or suspension convictions. A first offense can result in up to 90 days in jail and fines of $100 to $500. Subsequent offenses carry longer jail sentences and higher fines. Your suspension will also be extended.

How long a Class R license lasts

A Class R license is temporary. It expires on the date your suspension ends or on the date your court-ordered restriction period ends, whichever comes first. For example, if you received a Class R license during a one-year DUI suspension, your Class R license will expire one year from the date of your conviction (or whenever the suspension officially ends according to the court order).

When your Class R license expires, you do not automatically get your full driving privileges back. You must explore for reinstatement of your regular license through the Department of Revenue. Reinstatement may require paying a fee, passing a written exam, or completing other requirements depending on why your license was suspended.

If you let your Class R license expire without requesting reinstatement, you will be driving without a valid license, which is a separate offense. Keep track of your expiration date and contact the Department of Revenue at least 30 days before it expires to understand what you need to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to places not listed on my Class R license in an emergency?

No. Colorado law does not have an emergency exception to Class R restrictions. Even if you have a genuine emergency — a medical crisis, a family member in danger — driving outside your approved locations is a crime. If you face a true emergency, call 911 or another emergency service rather than driving yourself.

What if I get a new job while I have a Class R license?

You can request a modification to your Class R license to add your new workplace. Submit a new process form with your updated work address and hours. The state will review and approve, modify, or deny your request. Do not drive to your new job until your modification is approved — doing so is driving outside your restrictions.

Do I need an SR22 for the entire time I have a Class R license?

Yes. You must maintain SR22 coverage for as long as your Class R license is active. If your SR22 lapses, your Class R license is suspended when ready. After your Class R license expires and you reinstate your regular license, you may still be required to carry an SR22 for a set period (usually three years for a DUI), depending on your conviction.

Can I get a Class R license if my license was revoked?

Not until the revocation period has ended and you have completed all reinstatement requirements. Revocation is different from suspension — it is a permanent cancellation that requires formal reinstatement. Contact the Department of Revenue to find out what steps you must complete and when you will be may be able to access to request a Class R.

What happens if I am caught driving without my Class R license in my possession?

You can be cited for driving without a valid license, even though your Class R license exists. You must carry your Class R license with you every time you drive, just as you would carry a regular license. If you forget it at home, you are driving illegally.