Colorado tracks driving violations as points, and your license can be suspended or revoked if you accumulate too many

Colorado uses a point system to monitor your driving record. Every traffic violation you receive — from speeding to reckless driving — adds points to your license. The more serious the violation, the more points it costs. If you reach a certain number of points within a set time period, the Colorado Department of Revenue will suspend or revoke your driving privileges.

The threshold depends on your age and how long you've held your license. A new driver faces suspension faster than an experienced driver. Understanding how points work helps you see why one ticket matters more than you might think, and what happens if you accumulate violations over time.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado assigns points to violations based on severity: minor infractions like speeding cost 1 to 4 points, while serious violations like DUI cost 12 points.
  • Drivers under 18 lose their license if they reach 4 points within 12 months; drivers 18 and older face suspension at 12 points within 12 months.
  • Points stay on your record for 24 months from the violation date, but the suspension threshold resets if you go 12 months without a new violation.
  • You can request a hearing before the Department of Revenue suspends your license, and you have the right to challenge the suspension in court.
  • Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, though this option is not available for all violation types.

How many points each violation costs

Colorado assigns points based on the type and severity of the violation. A minor speeding ticket — say, 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit — costs 1 point. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit costs 4 points. Reckless driving costs 8 points. A DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) costs 12 points, the highest on the scale.

Other common violations and their point values include: careless driving (3 points), following too closely (4 points), improper passing (4 points), failure to obey a traffic signal (4 points), and leaving the scene of an accident (6 points). The Colorado Department of Revenue publishes a complete point schedule, and you can find it on their website or ask the court clerk when you receive a ticket.

If you receive a ticket, the citation itself will show the point value. If you are unsure, contact the court that issued the ticket — they can tell you exactly how many points the violation carries.

When your license gets suspended based on points

The number of points that triggers a suspension depends on your age and driving history. Drivers under 18 face the strictest threshold: your license will be suspended if you accumulate 4 or more points within a 12-month period. Drivers 18 and older face suspension at 12 or more points within 12 months.

The 12-month window resets each time you receive a new violation. If you get a ticket on January 15, that violation counts toward your 12-month total. If you receive another ticket on January 20 of the following year, the first ticket no longer counts — the new 12-month period starts from January 20.

Once you reach the threshold, the Department of Revenue will send you a notice of suspension. You do not lose your license when ready; you have the right to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect. If you do not request a hearing within 20 days, the suspension becomes final.

How long points stay on your record

Points remain on your driving record for 24 months from the date of the violation. This means a ticket from two years ago no longer counts toward your suspension threshold. However, the violation itself stays on your record longer — insurers and employers may see it for several years.

If you go 12 consecutive months without receiving a new violation, you reset your suspension risk. Even if you have points on your record, they do not count toward a new suspension if you stay violation-free for a full year. This is why one clean year can be a turning point: it gives you a fresh start on the 12-month threshold.

Requesting a hearing before suspension

When the Department of Revenue notifies you of a suspension, you have 20 days to request a hearing. You do this by contacting the Department of Revenue's Driver's License Section in writing or by phone. The hearing gives you a chance to present your side — for example, if you believe the ticket was issued in error or if there are circumstances the court should know about.

At the hearing, a hearing officer will review your driving record, the violation, and any evidence you present. The officer will decide whether the suspension should go forward. If you disagree with the hearing officer's decision, you have the right to appeal to district court within 30 days.

Requesting a hearing does not automatically stop the suspension from taking effect, but it does give you a formal chance to contest it before you lose your license. Many people find it worth doing, especially if they believe the violation was unfair or if losing their license would create serious hardship.

Reducing points through defensive driving

Colorado allows you to reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course approved by the Department of Revenue. If you complete the course, you can reduce your point total by up to 3 points. However, this option is not available for all violations — serious offenses like DUI, DWAI, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident do not may have access to.

You can take a defensive driving course only once every 12 months, and you can reduce a maximum of 3 points per course. The course must be completed before your suspension takes effect. Once your license is suspended, you cannot use a defensive driving course to avoid the suspension — you must go through the hearing and appeal process instead.

Many courses are offered online and take a few hours to complete. You will pay a fee to the course provider, and upon completion, you submit proof to the Department of Revenue. The points reduction is not automatic; you must request it as part of your record.

What happens after your license is suspended

A suspension means you cannot legally drive in Colorado or any other state. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you face criminal charges, fines, and a longer suspension. A first offense of driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor, and penalties increase for repeat offenses.

The length of your suspension depends on the reason for suspension and your driving history. A first suspension for accumulating points typically lasts one year. After the suspension period ends, you must explore to reinstate your license through the Department of Revenue. Reinstatement requires paying a fee and may require proof that you have completed a driver improvement course.

If your license is revoked — a more serious consequence than suspension — you must wait a set period (often one to three years) before you can reapply. Revocation usually results from multiple suspensions or very serious violations like multiple DUIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a point removed from my record?

Points cannot be removed early, but they fall off your record automatically after 24 months. You can reduce up to 3 points by completing a defensive driving course, but this is only available for minor violations — not DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run. If you believe a ticket was issued in error, you can contest it in court before it becomes final.

Does paying a ticket mean I accept the points?

Paying a ticket is usually treated as a guilty plea, which means the violation and its points are added to your record. If you want to contest the ticket and avoid the points, you must request a court hearing before you pay. Talk to the court clerk about your options — you may be able to plead to a lesser charge with fewer points.

What if I get a ticket in another state?

Colorado participates in the Driver License Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to Colorado and added to your driving record. Points from out-of-state violations count toward your Colorado suspension threshold. However, the point value may differ — Colorado uses its own point scale, so an out-of-state violation may be converted to Colorado's equivalent.

Can I get my license back early if I complete a course?

No. A suspension lasts for the full period set by the Department of Revenue, usually one year for a first suspension due to points. Completing a driver improvement course does not shorten the suspension, but it may be required before you can reinstate your license after the suspension ends.

How do I check how many points are on my license?

You can view your driving record through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website or by visiting a local driver's license office in person. You can also request a copy of your record by mail. Your record shows all violations, points, and suspensions from the past several years.