Colorado adds points to your license when you get certain traffic violations, and too many points can lead to suspension

Colorado's point system is a way the state tracks unsafe driving. When you get a ticket for a moving violation — speeding, running a red light, reckless driving — the court assigns points to your license. The more serious the violation, the more points you receive. If you accumulate too many points in a set time period, the Colorado Department of Revenue will suspend your license.

The point total that triggers suspension depends on your age and how long you've held a license. A driver with a full license needs 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months to face suspension. Younger or newer drivers face lower thresholds. Points stay on your record for a set time — usually three years from the violation date — and then drop off automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado assigns 1 to 12 points per violation depending on how serious it is; speeding is typically 1 to 3 points, while reckless driving is 8 to 12 points.
  • You face license suspension if you accumulate 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months on a standard adult license.
  • Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, then expire automatically without action on your part.
  • If you receive a suspension notice, you have the right to request a hearing with the Colorado Department of Revenue before the suspension takes effect.

Point values for common Colorado violations

Colorado assigns points based on the type of violation. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit carry 1 point. Speeding 6 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points, and speeding 11 or more miles per hour over the limit is 3 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 3 points. Improper passing is 3 points.

More serious violations carry higher point totals. Reckless driving is 8 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 12 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Careless driving — driving in a way that endangers people or property — is 4 points.

Some violations do not add points but still result in a ticket and fine. These include parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some paperwork violations. Your ticket will tell you whether the violation carries points.

How suspension thresholds work by driver type

Adult drivers with a full, unrestricted license face suspension at 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months. This means if you get 12 points in a single year, suspension is triggered. If you stay under 12 points in year one but accumulate 18 points across two years, suspension also applies.

Drivers under 18 with a learner's permit or restricted license have stricter thresholds: 6 points in 12 months triggers suspension. This lower threshold reflects Colorado's graduated licensing system, which imposes tighter rules on newer drivers.

Commercial drivers in Colorado face different point thresholds under federal rules. If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), contact the Colorado Department of Revenue or your employer's safety office to understand your specific limits, as they differ from standard passenger vehicle rules.

When points drop off your record

Points expire three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the ticket or went to court. Once three years have passed, the points automatically fall off your driving record. You do not need to request removal or file paperwork — it happens automatically in the state system.

This three-year window is important if you are close to suspension. If you have 10 points and one of them is about to turn three years old, you may drop below the suspension threshold once that point expires. However, if you receive a new violation before the old points expire, the new points add to your total when ready.

You can check your current point total by requesting your driving record from the Colorado Department of Revenue. You can order a record online, by mail, or in person at a local driver's license office. Your record will show each violation, the points assigned, and the date each point will expire.

What happens when you reach the suspension threshold

When you accumulate enough points to trigger suspension, the Colorado Department of Revenue mails you a notice. The notice tells you the suspension will take effect on a specific date — usually 20 to 30 days after the notice is mailed. You have the right to request a hearing before that date to contest the suspension.

To request a hearing, you must contact the Colorado Department of Revenue in writing before the suspension date shown on your notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence or arguments about why the suspension should not happen. However, if the points are correctly recorded, the hearing officer will likely uphold the suspension.

Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. If you need to drive during a suspension, you may be able to request a work permit or essential travel permit, depending on the reason for the suspension and your circumstances.

How to reduce points or avoid accumulation

Colorado does not offer a point reduction program for safe driving or good behavior. Points do not drop off early, and there is no way to "buy down" your total by taking a defensive driving course. However, some traffic violations can be reduced or dismissed through the court system if you have a valid legal defense or if the officer does not appear at your hearing.

The most direct way to avoid suspension is to avoid violations. If you receive a ticket, you have the option to contest it in traffic court. If you believe the officer made an error or if you have evidence supporting your case, you can request a hearing. If the charge is dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation, fewer or no points will be added to your license.

Some drivers choose to work with a traffic attorney to contest tickets or negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction. This is a personal choice and comes with attorney fees, but it may be worth considering if you are close to suspension or if the violation was serious.

Checking your Colorado driving record

You can view your driving record online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows your current point total, each violation on your record, the points assigned to each, and the expiration date for each point.

If you prefer not to check online, you can request a copy of your record by mail or in person at any Colorado driver's license office. There is a small fee for a paper copy. Your record will arrive within 5 to 10 business days if you request it by mail.

Checking your record regularly — especially if you have received recent tickets — helps you stay aware of your point total and know how close you are to suspension. This gives you time to plan if you are approaching the threshold, such as being extra cautious to avoid new violations or preparing for a potential suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record early?

No. Points remain on your record for exactly three years from the violation date and then expire automatically. Colorado does not offer early removal, point reduction programs, or defensive driving courses that lower your total. The only way to reduce points before the three-year mark is to have a violation dismissed or reduced in court.

What is the difference between points and a ticket fine?

A ticket fine is money you pay to the court for the violation. Points are a separate penalty that the state adds to your driving record. You can have both — you pay the fine and the points are added. Points affect your license status; fines do not. A ticket with no points still costs money but will not move you toward suspension.

Does a DUI count as 12 points?

Yes, a DUI conviction in Colorado is 12 points — the maximum. A single DUI will trigger suspension on an adult license because 12 points in 12 months is the threshold. A DUI also carries a separate administrative license suspension from the Department of Revenue, which can happen even before the criminal case is resolved.

If I move out of Colorado, do my points follow me?

Points stay with your Colorado license. If you move to another state and get a new license there, your Colorado points do not transfer. However, if you return to Colorado and reinstate your license, your points are still on record. Some states share violation information through the National Driver Register, so a serious violation in Colorado may be visible to other states, but point totals themselves do not transfer.

Can I get a hardship or work permit if my license is suspended?

Colorado allows work permits in some suspension cases, but not all. A work permit lets you drive to and from work or essential activities during a suspension. You must request one from the Colorado Department of Revenue and show that the suspension causes genuine hardship. Not all suspensions may have access to, and approval is not may provide. Contact the Department of Revenue to ask whether your situation may allow a permit.