Colorado uses a points system to track driving violations on your license

Colorado's Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles assigns points to your driving record when you receive a traffic ticket or are convicted of a moving violation. The more serious the violation, the more points you receive. Points stay on your record for a set period — usually three years from the date of conviction — and they affect your insurance rates, your ability to renew your license, and whether you face suspension.

The state does not erase points after three years; it straightforward stops counting them toward suspension. Your record itself is permanent, but only recent points matter for license action. Understanding how many points you have and what they mean is the first step to knowing whether your license is at risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado assigns points based on the type of violation, ranging from 1 point for minor infractions to 12 points for serious offenses like DUI.
  • Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months triggers a mandatory license suspension in Colorado.
  • Points remain on your driving record for three years from the conviction date, but only count toward suspension during that window.
  • You can check your current points balance and driving record through the Colorado DMV website or by requesting a certified copy by mail.
  • Traffic school or defensive driving courses may reduce points on your record if you meet the court's requirements and the violation qualifies.

How many points each type of violation costs

Colorado assigns points according to a fixed schedule. A speeding ticket typically costs 1 point if you are 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit, and up to 8 points if you are 25 miles per hour or more over the limit. Reckless driving is 8 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 12 points. A DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) conviction is 12 points. Leaving the scene of an accident, hit-and-run, or vehicular assault can be 12 points or more.

Minor violations like improper lane change or failure to yield are typically 4 points. Driving without a valid license (but not suspended) is 4 points. Careless driving is 4 points. The state publishes a complete schedule on the Colorado DMV website, and you can also ask the court clerk at your traffic hearing what points will be assigned if you are convicted.

When Colorado suspends your license for points

If you accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period, Colorado will suspend your license. The suspension is mandatory — the DMV does not have discretion to waive it. The length of suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. Your first suspension lasts at least one month. A second suspension within five years lasts at least three months. A third or subsequent suspension within five years lasts at least six months.

The DMV will mail you a notice of suspension at the address on file with your license. The notice tells you the suspension start date, the length, and the steps you must take to reinstate your license. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even with a restricted license, unless you obtain a hardship license from the court — and the court will only grant one if you can show that suspension causes severe hardship to your employment or family.

How to check your points and driving record

You can view your driving record online through the Colorado DMV's website. You will need your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The online record shows your current points total, all violations and convictions on your record, and the dates they will drop off.

If you prefer a paper copy or need a certified version for court or insurance purposes, you can request one by mail or in person at a DMV office. There is a small fee for a certified record. You can also call the Colorado DMV at 303-205-5600 to ask about your points, though they will not provide details over the phone — you must view the record yourself or request it in writing.

Whether traffic school can reduce your points

Colorado allows you to reduce points on your record by completing a traffic education course — commonly called traffic school. However, not all violations may have access to. Speeding, careless driving, and failure to yield are typically may be able to access. DUI, DWAI, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run are not may be able to access for traffic school reduction.

You can only use traffic school once every 12 months, and you must complete the course before your court date or within the timeframe the court specifies. If you complete an approved course, the court will reduce the points by up to 4 points, though the exact reduction depends on the violation and the court's decision. The violation itself stays on your record, but the points are lowered. Some insurance companies also offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving course, even if it does not reduce court points.

How points affect your insurance rates

Insurance companies in Colorado use your driving record to set your rates. Each point on your record typically increases your premium, and the increase varies by insurer. A single point might raise your rate by 5 to 10 percent, while multiple points or serious violations can double or triple your premium. Some insurers will not renew your policy if you accumulate too many points, or they will require you to pay a higher deposit.

Points affect your insurance for the full three years they remain on your record, even if your license is not suspended. This means that even after your suspension ends and you regain your license, you will still pay higher insurance rates until the three-year window closes. If you are facing a rate increase, shop around — different insurers weigh points differently, and you may find better rates elsewhere.

Reinstating your license after a points suspension

To reinstate your license after a suspension ends, you must contact the Colorado DMV and pay a reinstatement fee. The fee is typically $95, though it may vary. You do not need to retake the written or driving test unless your license has been expired for more than one year. Once you pay the fee and the suspension period has ended, your license is reinstated and you can drive legally again.

If you were suspended for a second or subsequent time, the DMV may require you to complete a driver improvement program before reinstatement. This is a classroom course that focuses on safe driving practices and the consequences of violations. You will receive notice in your suspension letter if this requirement applies to you. Failure to complete the program will delay your reinstatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before three years?

No, points cannot be removed early. They remain on your record for three years from the conviction date. Traffic school can reduce the points assigned to a violation, but only if the violation qualifies and you complete the course before your court date. After three years, the points stop counting toward suspension, but the violation itself stays on your permanent record.

What happens if I get points while my license is already suspended?

Points continue to accumulate even during a suspension. If you receive a new violation while suspended, those points add to your record and will extend your suspension or trigger a new one when it ends. This is why it is critical not to drive during a suspension — a second violation can result in a much longer suspension and additional penalties.

Do points from other states count in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado is part of the Driver License Compact, an agreement between states to share driving records. If you received a violation in another state, that record transfers to Colorado and points are assigned according to Colorado's schedule. You can check whether out-of-state violations appear on your Colorado record by viewing your DMV record online.

Will my insurance company know about my points when ready?

Not when ready, but within 30 to 60 days. Insurance companies receive updated driving records from the DMV regularly. When your insurer renews your policy or you request a quote, they will see the new violation and adjust your rate. Some insurers check your record more frequently than others, so the timing varies.

Can I dispute points on my record?

You can dispute the violation itself by fighting the ticket in court before you are convicted. Once you are convicted or plead guilty, the points are assigned and cannot be disputed. Your only option after conviction is traffic school, if the violation qualifies. If you believe the conviction was entered in error, you would need to file a motion to vacate the conviction with the court that handled your case.