What a Colorado hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Colorado lets you drive for specific purposes — work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs — even while your license is suspended. You cannot use it to drive anywhere you want; the license lists the exact reasons you are allowed to be behind the wheel, and you must carry proof of your hardship need (like an employment letter or medical documentation) whenever you drive.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for a DUI conviction, a refusal to take a breath or blood test, accumulating too many points, or certain other traffic violations. The Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) decides whether to grant one based on whether you can show genuine hardship — meaning the suspension would cause you serious harm that outweighs public safety concerns.
A hardship license is not automatic. The DMV reviews each request individually, and denial is common, especially for first-time DUI suspensions. Even if you are granted one, it comes with restrictions: you may lose the right to drive at night, you must install an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer in your car) if your suspension is alcohol-related, and you may be required to take a substance abuse course or attend counseling.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license in Colorado allows you to drive only for specific purposes listed on the license, such as work, school, or medical treatment, not for general driving.
- You must file a petition with the Colorado DMV and provide documentation of your hardship, such as a letter from your employer or proof of medical necessity.
- The DMV does not grant hardship licenses automatically; you must demonstrate that the suspension causes genuine hardship and that public safety concerns do not outweigh that hardship.
- If your suspension is alcohol-related, you will likely be required to install an ignition interlock device and may need to complete a substance abuse course before or after receiving the license.
- The timeline from petition to decision typically takes several weeks, and you cannot drive for any purpose until the DMV approves your request in writing.
When you become may be able to access to request a hardship license
may be able to access timing depends on why your license was suspended. For a DUI-related suspension, you generally cannot request a hardship license until you have served a minimum period — usually 30 days for a first offense, though this varies based on the specific charge and whether you refused a test. For administrative suspensions (suspensions imposed by the DMV rather than the court), you may be able to request one sooner than for court-ordered suspensions.
If your suspension is for accumulating points or other traffic violations unrelated to alcohol or drugs, the waiting period is often shorter or may not exist at all. Check the suspension notice you received from the DMV; it will state the suspension length and whether you are may be able to access to request a hardship license before the suspension ends.
You do not have to wait until you are may be able to access to file your petition — you can submit it early — but the DMV will not review it until you meet the minimum waiting period. Filing early gives you a head start on the process.
Documents and information you need to gather
Before you contact the DMV, collect proof of your hardship. The specific documents depend on your reason for needing to drive, but common examples include a letter from your employer stating your job duties and work schedule, a school enrollment letter or class schedule, medical records or a letter from a doctor explaining why you need to drive to treatment, and court documents if you are required to attend a program or hearing.
You will also need your driver's license number, your date of birth, and the reason for your suspension (this is on your suspension notice). If your suspension is alcohol-related, prepare to discuss whether you have already completed or are willing to complete a substance abuse evaluation or course — the DMV often requires this before granting a hardship license.
Keep originals of all documents and make copies. The DMV may ask you to mail or bring copies with your petition, and you will want to have them ready if you are called for a hearing.
How to file a petition with the Colorado DMV
Contact the Colorado DMV directly to request a hardship license petition form. You can call the DMV at 303-205-5613 (Denver area) or find the phone number for your local office on the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Some DMV offices allow you to request the form in person, but calling ahead is faster and lets you ask questions about what documents to include.
The petition form asks you to describe your hardship, explain why you need to drive, list the specific purposes for which you are requesting permission to drive, and provide contact information for your employer, school, or medical provider. Be detailed and honest; vague or incomplete petitions are often denied. For example, instead of writing "I need to work," write "I work as a delivery driver for XYZ Company, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at [address]. My employer has confirmed in writing that I cannot perform my job duties without driving."
Mail the completed petition, copies of your supporting documents, and a check for the filing fee (the amount varies; confirm the current fee when you request the form) to the address provided by the DMV. Keep a copy of everything you send. The DMV will send you a written confirmation that your petition was received.
What happens after you submit your petition
The DMV reviews your petition and supporting documents. If your case is straightforward and your hardship is clear, you may receive approval by mail within two to four weeks. If the DMV has questions or believes a hearing is necessary, you will receive a notice scheduling a hearing before a DMV hearing officer.
At a hearing, you will have the chance to explain your hardship in person and answer questions from the hearing officer. Bring your original documents and any additional evidence — for example, if you claim you need to drive to medical appointments, bring a letter from your doctor confirming the appointments and why you cannot use other transportation. The hearing officer will make a recommendation to the DMV, which then issues a final decision.
If the DMV approves your hardship license, you will receive a new license in the mail with restrictions printed on it. Read it carefully; it lists the exact purposes for which you can drive and any conditions (such as ignition interlock installation or daytime-only driving). If the DMV denies your petition, you will receive a written explanation of the reasons and information about how to appeal.
Ignition interlock requirements and other conditions
If your suspension is related to alcohol or drugs, the DMV will almost certainly require you to install an ignition interlock device before you can use your hardship license. This device is a breathalyzer connected to your car's ignition; you must blow into it before the car will start. If it detects alcohol, the car will not start, and the device records the failed attempt.
You are responsible for paying the installation and monthly monitoring fees, which typically range from $60 to $150 per month depending on the provider. The DMV will provide a list of approved vendors. You must have the device installed before you drive, and you must keep it installed for the entire period specified in your hardship license or court order — often 6 months to 2 years.
The DMV may also require you to complete a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment or counseling before or shortly after receiving your hardship license. Failure to comply with any condition — missing an appointment, failing to maintain the interlock device, or driving outside the permitted purposes — can result in the hardship license being revoked and your suspension being extended.
Restrictions on where and when you can drive
Your hardship license will specify the purposes for which you can drive — for example, "to and from work," "to and from school," "to medical appointments," or "to court-ordered programs." You can only drive for those listed purposes. Driving for any other reason — even a short trip to the grocery store — is a violation and can result in criminal charges.
The license may also include time restrictions, such as "daytime driving only" (typically 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or "no driving between midnight and 5 a.m." Some hardship licenses restrict you to specific routes or geographic areas. You must carry your hardship license, your proof of hardship (such as an employment letter), and proof of insurance whenever you drive.
If you are stopped by police, be prepared to explain where you are going and why it falls within your permitted purposes. If the officer believes you are violating the terms of your hardship license, you can be cited or arrested, and your hardship license can be revoked when ready.
What to do if your petition is denied
If the DMV denies your hardship license request, you have the right to appeal. The denial letter will explain the reasons and provide instructions for filing an appeal, usually within a certain number of days. You can request a formal hearing before a hearing officer, where you can present additional evidence or argue that circumstances have changed since your initial petition.
Common reasons for denial include insufficient hardship (the DMV believes you can use public transportation or ask others for rides), public safety concerns (especially for serious DUI cases), or failure to meet other requirements (such as not having completed a required substance abuse course). If you were denied because you had not yet completed a course or evaluation, completing it and resubmitting your petition may result in approval the second time.
If your appeal is also denied, you must wait until your suspension period ends to drive legally. However, you can request a hardship license again if your circumstances change significantly — for example, if you lose your job and find a new one that requires driving, or if a medical condition develops that makes public transportation impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the ignition interlock appointment to get it installed?
No. You cannot drive for any purpose until your hardship license is approved and in your possession. If you need the interlock installed before you receive your hardship license, arrange for someone else to drive you or use a taxi or rideshare service. Once your hardship license is approved, you can drive to the interlock vendor to have it installed.
What if I get a new job while my hardship license is active?
You must request a modification to your hardship license to add the new job as a permitted purpose. Contact the DMV and provide a letter from your new employer. Do not drive to the new job until the DMV approves the modification, even if the job is similar to your previous one.
Does a hardship license show up on my driving record?
Yes. A hardship license is noted on your driving record, and employers, insurance companies, and others who check your record will see it. It indicates that your license was suspended and that you are driving under restrictions.
Can I get a hardship license if I refused a breath test?
Yes, but the process may be more difficult. A refusal carries the same or longer suspension as a DUI conviction in Colorado, and the DMV may view a refusal as evidence of guilt or unwillingness to cooperate. You can still request a hardship license, but be prepared to provide strong evidence of hardship and to complete a substance abuse evaluation.
What happens to my hardship license when my suspension ends?
Your hardship license expires when your suspension period ends. At that point, you can explore for license reinstatement through the normal DMV process. If you have completed all requirements (interlock monitoring, substance abuse courses, and any other conditions), reinstatement is usually straightforward. If you have not completed the requirements, your license may remain suspended until you do.