Colorado suspends your license when you reach 12 points in a 12-month period, or 18 points in a 24-month period

Colorado tracks your driving record using a point system. Every traffic violation you're convicted of adds points to your record. When your points hit 12 within one year, or 18 within two years, the Colorado Department of Revenue automatically suspends your license. This is not a choice — it happens by law, and you cannot drive legally during the suspension period.

The suspension length depends on how many points triggered it. A first suspension for reaching 12 points in 12 months lasts at least one month. If you accumulate points again and hit the threshold a second time, the suspension is at least three months. A third suspension within five years is at least six months. These are minimums; the state can impose longer suspensions depending on your record.

Understanding which violations cost how many points helps you see how quickly a license can be suspended. A single serious violation — like reckless driving or driving under the influence — can add 8 or 12 points at once. Several minor violations over a few months can add up just as fast.

Key Takeaways

  • You lose your license when you reach 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months, with a mandatory suspension of at least one month for the first offense.
  • Different violations carry different point values: speeding 1–11 mph over the limit is 1 point, while reckless driving is 8 points and DUI is 12 points.
  • Points stay on your record for 24 months from the conviction date, so older violations eventually drop off and stop counting toward suspension.
  • You can request a hearing before the suspension takes effect if you believe the conviction was wrong or if you have circumstances the state should consider.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can remove up to 3 points from your record, but only once every 12 months and only if you have no serious violations.

How Colorado assigns points to different violations

Colorado's point scale ranges from 1 point for minor infractions to 12 points for the most serious violations. Speeding violations are the most common: driving 1 to 11 mph over the speed limit costs 1 point, 12 to 19 mph over costs 4 points, and 20 mph or more over costs 8 points. A single ticket for excessive speeding can put you halfway to suspension.

Other common violations and their point values include: failure to obey a traffic signal (4 points), reckless driving (8 points), careless driving (4 points), and driving with a suspended or revoked license (12 points). Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI) both carry 12 points — the maximum. Hit-and-run violations also carry 12 points.

Less common but serious violations include racing on a public road (8 points), fleeing from police (12 points), and driving with an expired license (3 points). Even violations that seem minor add up. Three speeding tickets in six months — each 1 point — plus one careless driving ticket (4 points) puts you at 7 points, more than halfway to the 12-point threshold.

When points drop off your record

Points do not stay on your driving record forever. In Colorado, points expire 24 months from the date of conviction, not from the date of the violation. This means if you were convicted of speeding on January 15, 2024, that point drops off on January 15, 2026.

This matters because it means you can recover from a bad stretch of driving. If you accumulate 11 points over the course of a year, you are one violation away from suspension. But if you avoid any new violations for the next two months, the oldest points will start dropping off, and your total will decrease. The 12-month and 24-month thresholds reset based on the dates of your convictions, not on a calendar year.

However, do not count on points dropping off to avoid suspension. The state sends you a notice when you are approaching the threshold, and the suspension takes effect automatically once you cross it. You cannot wait for old points to expire to avoid the suspension that has already been triggered.

Defensive driving courses and point reduction

Colorado allows you to remove up to 3 points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can do this once every 12 months. The course must be taken before you are convicted of the violation — taking it after conviction does not help with that ticket.

There are restrictions. You cannot use a defensive driving course to reduce points if you have been convicted of a serious violation in the past three years. Serious violations include DUI, DWAI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, fleeing from police, or driving with a suspended or revoked license. If your record is clean of these offenses, you can take the course to lower your point total before it reaches the suspension threshold.

Defensive driving courses are offered online and in person throughout Colorado. They typically take four to eight hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50, depending on the provider. The course teaches techniques to avoid accidents and violations. Once you finish, you submit proof of completion to the Colorado Department of Revenue, and the 3 points are removed from your record.

How suspension works and what you can do about it

When you reach the point threshold, the Colorado Department of Revenue sends you a notice of suspension. The suspension takes effect 20 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is wrong. You have the right to request a hearing before the suspension begins, and you should do so if you think the conviction was incorrect or if you have circumstances the state should consider.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and further license penalties. If you need to drive for work or essential purposes, you may be able to request a work permit, but this is not automatic and depends on your situation and the reason for the suspension.

After the suspension period ends, your license is reinstated automatically — you do not have to reapply. However, your driving record still shows the suspension, and if you accumulate more points, you can be suspended again. A second suspension within five years is longer (at least three months), and a third suspension within five years is even longer (at least six months).

Serious violations that lead to when ready license revocation

Some violations do not just add points — they result in when ready license revocation, which is different from suspension. Revocation means your license is cancelled and you must reapply for a new one after a waiting period. Violations that trigger revocation include driving under the influence (DUI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), habitual traffic offender status, and certain hit-and-run convictions.

A first DUI or DWAI conviction results in a revocation of at least one year. A second DUI or DWAI within five years results in a revocation of at least two years. A third or subsequent DUI or DWAI within five years results in a revocation of at least three years. These are mandatory minimums set by Colorado law.

Habitual traffic offender status occurs when you accumulate certain violations within a specific time frame. If you are convicted of three or more traffic offenses within a five-year period, you may be declared a habitual traffic offender, which results in license revocation for at least one year. This is separate from the point-based suspension system and is a more serious penalty.

Checking your current point total and driving record

You can check your driving record and current point total through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows all convictions, points, and any suspensions or revocations on your license. You can also request a copy of your official driving record by mail or in person at a local DMV office.

Checking your record regularly is a good idea, especially if you have received multiple tickets. It allows you to see exactly how close you are to the suspension threshold and to plan accordingly. If you are approaching 12 points, you know that one more violation will trigger a suspension, and you can take a defensive driving course if you are may be able to access.

If you see an error on your record — a conviction that should not be there, or points that were not removed after a course — contact the Colorado Department of Revenue when ready. Errors can be corrected, but you have to report them. Do not assume the state's records are always accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back before the suspension period ends?

No. A suspension lasts for the full period set by the state — at least one month for a first suspension. You cannot drive during this time. After the suspension ends, your license is reinstated automatically. If you were declared a habitual traffic offender or revoked for DUI, the process is longer and may require you to reapply.

What happens if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?

Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Colorado. You can be charged with a misdemeanor, fined up to $1,000, and sentenced to up to 90 days in jail. Your license suspension will be extended, and you may face additional penalties. This is why it is critical to not drive during a suspension period.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Colorado suspension?

Yes. Colorado counts convictions from other states toward your point total through the Interstate Compact on Driver's License Compact. If you are convicted of a traffic violation in another state, that conviction is reported to Colorado and points are added to your record as if it happened in Colorado.

Can I remove points by paying a fine instead of going to court?

No. Points are assigned based on conviction, not on the fine amount. If you pay a ticket without contesting it, you are admitting guilt and the points are added to your record. The only ways to avoid points are to fight the ticket in court and win, or to take a defensive driving course (if may be able to access) before conviction.

What if I have a commercial driver's license — are the point thresholds different?

Yes. Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders have stricter point thresholds. A CDL suspension occurs at 11 points in 12 months or 17 points in 24 months — one point lower than regular licenses. CDL holders also face additional restrictions and longer suspension periods for certain violations.