Colorado's Hardship License: What It Is and Who Can Get One

Colorado does have a hardship license, officially called an Interlock-Restricted Driver's License. It lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, alcohol treatment — even while your license is suspended. You must install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, which requires you to pass a breath test before the engine starts.

This license is not automatic. You have to request it from the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and you must meet strict requirements. The most common reason people seek one is a DUI or DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) conviction, but Colorado also issues hardship licenses for other suspension reasons.

The hardship license does not erase your suspension — it carves out narrow exceptions to it. You can only drive to the places listed on your license. Driving anywhere else, or driving without the interlock device working, is a new violation.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado's hardship license is called an Interlock-Restricted Driver's License and requires installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
  • You can only drive to specific locations listed on your license: work, school, medical appointments, alcohol or drug treatment, and court-ordered programs.
  • You must request the hardship license from the Colorado DMV; it is not granted automatically when your license is suspended.
  • The interlock device costs money to install and maintain, and you pay those costs yourself — typically $60 to $100 per month.
  • You become may be able to access for a hardship license when ready after a DUI or DWAI conviction, but may be able to access depends on your specific suspension reason.

Who Is may be able to access for a Colorado Hardship License

may be able to access depends on why your license was suspended. If you were convicted of DUI or DWAI, you can request a hardship license right away — you do not have to wait out part of your suspension first. The same is true for some other suspension reasons, such as refusal to take a breath or blood test.

If your suspension is for a different reason — too many points, reckless driving, or a medical condition — you may still be may be able to access, but the rules are different. Contact the Colorado DMV directly to confirm whether your suspension type qualifies. Not every suspension reason allows a hardship license.

You must also meet these conditions: you need a valid reason to drive (work, school, treatment, court order), you must be able to afford the interlock device, and you cannot have certain prior convictions. A second DUI or DWAI within ten years, or a third within your lifetime, makes you ineligible for a hardship license.

How to Request a Hardship License from the Colorado DMV

Start by contacting the Colorado DMV in person or by phone. You can visit any DMV office or call 303-205-5613. Tell them your license is suspended and you want to request an Interlock-Restricted Driver's License. They will tell you whether you are may be able to access based on your suspension reason and history.

If you are may be able to access, you will need to complete an process for Interlock-Restricted Driver's License (form DL-43). You will also need to provide proof of a valid reason to drive — a letter from your employer, school enrollment, medical appointment confirmation, or court paperwork. The DMV will specify what counts as proof.

Once you submit your process, the DMV will review it. If approved, you will receive a letter telling you to install the interlock device. You cannot drive on your hardship license until the device is installed and the DMV has been notified. Some interlock providers can report installation directly to the DMV; ask your provider whether they do.

The Interlock Device: Cost, Installation, and How It Works

An ignition interlock device is a small machine connected to your vehicle's ignition system. Before you can start the engine, you blow into the device. If your breath alcohol content is below the legal limit (usually 0.02 percent), the car starts. If it is above that, the engine will not turn on.

The device also requires rolling retests — random breath tests while you are driving — to make sure you have not been drinking since you started the car. If you fail a retest, the device logs it and may honk the horn or flash the lights to alert you. These violations are reported to the court and can extend your hardship license period or lead to new charges.

Installation typically costs $100 to $200. Monthly monitoring and maintenance fees range from $60 to $100, depending on the provider. You pay these costs yourself — the court does not cover them. You are responsible for keeping the device serviced and for paying all fees on time. If you miss a payment or fail to maintain the device, your hardship license can be revoked.

Colorado has a list of approved interlock providers. The DMV will give you this list when your hardship license is approved. You must use a provider on that list; devices from other companies will not be accepted.

Where You Can and Cannot Drive on a Hardship License

Your hardship license will list specific locations you are allowed to drive to. These typically include your workplace, your school, medical facilities, alcohol or drug treatment programs, and locations required by court order (such as probation offices or DUI education classes).

You can only drive directly to and from these locations. You cannot make stops at the grocery store, the gym, or a friend's house on the way. You cannot drive for any other purpose. If you are pulled over and found driving outside these permitted routes, you will face new charges, and your hardship license will be revoked.

The DMV will specify the exact addresses or locations on your license. If you need to add a location — for example, if you change jobs — you must request an amendment from the DMV. Do not assume you can drive to a new place without updating your license first.

How Long You Can Keep a Hardship License

The length of time you can drive on a hardship license depends on your original suspension length. For a first DUI or DWAI conviction in Colorado, your license is suspended for one year. You can request a hardship license for the entire suspension period, meaning you could drive to permitted locations for the full year.

For a second DUI or DWAI within ten years, the suspension is two years, and you become may be able to access for a hardship license after serving a mandatory period without driving (usually two months). For a third or subsequent offense, you are not may be able to access for a hardship license at all.

Once your suspension period ends and your license is reinstated, you no longer need the interlock device. You can have it removed, though you are responsible for removal costs. Some providers charge $50 to $150 to uninstall the device.

What Happens If You Violate the Terms of Your Hardship License

Driving outside your permitted locations, driving without the interlock device, or failing an interlock test are all violations. If you are caught, your hardship license will be revoked when ready, and you will return to a fully suspended license. You may also face new criminal charges.

Failing an interlock test — blowing above the legal limit — is automatically reported to the court. One or two failures may result in a warning or an extension of your hardship license period. Multiple failures or a pattern of violations will lead to revocation. Some courts also require you to attend additional alcohol education classes if you fail tests.

If your hardship license is revoked, you cannot request another one. You must wait out the remainder of your original suspension period without driving. This is why it is critical to follow the rules exactly: drive only to permitted locations, keep the device maintained, and never drive after drinking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license if this is my second DUI?

It depends on when your first DUI was. If your first DUI was more than ten years ago, your second DUI is treated as a first offense, and you can get a hardship license. If your first DUI was within the last ten years, you are not may be able to access for a hardship license. You must wait out your full two-year suspension.

What if I do not have a job yet but need to drive to look for one?

Job searching alone is not a permitted reason for a hardship license. You need an actual job offer or employment letter. Some people in this situation ask a family member or friend to drive them to interviews, or they use public transportation until they are hired. Once you have a job, you can request a hardship license.

Can I drive to the grocery store if it is on the way to work?

No. Your hardship license only permits direct routes to and from the locations listed on it. Any stop not on your license — even a quick one — is a violation. Plan your errands for times when someone else can drive, or use delivery services.

Do I have to pay for the interlock device if I cannot afford it?

The court does not waive interlock costs. If you cannot afford installation or monthly fees, you cannot get a hardship license. You will have to rely on other transportation or ask the court about payment plans. Some providers offer reduced rates for people with financial hardship — ask the DMV for a list of providers who do.

What happens to my hardship license if I move to another state?

A Colorado hardship license is only valid in Colorado. If you move, you will need to follow the new state's rules for driving with a suspended license. Contact the DMV in your new state to learn what options are available there.