What happens when your Colorado license is suspended or revoked
A suspended license means you cannot legally drive in Colorado, and driving anyway can result in criminal charges, fines, and jail time. Suspension is temporary — your license will be restored once you meet the conditions that caused the suspension. A revoked license is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The most common reasons for suspension in Colorado are unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, unpaid court fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points on your driving record, or failing to maintain auto insurance. Each reason has different requirements to get your license back.
Before you can reinstate your license, you must first clear the reason it was suspended or revoked. This might mean paying fines, completing a DUI education program, or resolving a child support issue. Once that is done, you can request reinstatement from the Colorado DMV.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the underlying reason for suspension — such as paying fines, completing a DUI program, or clearing a child support hold — before the DMV will reinstate your license.
- Colorado DMV processes reinstatement requests by mail, online, or in person at a local office, and you will need to pay a reinstatement fee that varies by reason for suspension.
- If your license was revoked for a serious violation like DUI, you may need to pass a written test, vision test, or both before reinstatement is approved.
- You can check your suspension status and the specific requirements for your case on the Colorado DMV website or by calling their customer service line.
Finding out why your Colorado license is suspended
The Colorado DMV will have sent you a notice in the mail explaining why your license was suspended or revoked, but if you did not receive it or cannot find it, you can look up your status yourself. Visit the Colorado DMV website and use their online license status tool, or call the DMV customer service line at 303-205-5600 to speak with someone who can tell you exactly what you owe and what you need to do.
Write down the specific reason — for example, "unpaid traffic fine from case number 2024CV12345" or "failure to maintain insurance." This detail matters because different reasons require different steps to clear the suspension. Some suspensions lift automatically once you pay what you owe; others require you to submit proof to the DMV that you have completed a requirement.
Clearing the suspension before you request reinstatement
You cannot reinstate your license until the reason for suspension is resolved. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines or tickets, you must pay the full amount owed to the court or the DMV, depending on which agency issued the suspension. Contact the court listed in your suspension notice, or call the DMV to find out where to send payment.
If the suspension is related to a DUI conviction, you will need to complete a substance abuse education program approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The program length depends on whether it is your first offense or a repeat violation. You must receive a certificate of completion from the program before the DMV will consider reinstatement.
If the suspension is due to unpaid child support, contact the Colorado Department of Human Services or the court that ordered support. Once the arrears are paid or a payment plan is in place, that agency will notify the DMV to lift the suspension. If the suspension is for failure to maintain insurance, you will need to obtain a new policy and provide proof to the DMV or the court.
For suspensions related to accumulating too many points on your driving record, the suspension will lift automatically after a set period — usually 12 months — as long as you do not receive any new violations during that time. You do not need to take action, but you still cannot drive legally until the suspension ends.
How to request reinstatement from the Colorado DMV
Once you have resolved the underlying reason for suspension, you can request reinstatement. Colorado offers three ways to do this: online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a local DMV office.
The online method is fastest. Go to the Colorado DMV website, select the reinstatement option, and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. The reinstatement fee ranges from $95 to $150 depending on the reason for suspension. If you pay online, the DMV typically processes your request within one to two business days.
If you prefer to explore by mail, read the reinstatement form from the Colorado DMV website or request one by phone. Fill it out completely, include proof that you have resolved the suspension reason (such as a paid receipt or certificate of completion), and mail it along with the reinstatement fee to the address listed on the form. Mail processing takes longer — usually two to three weeks.
You can also visit a local DMV office in person with your completed form, proof of resolution, and payment. Bring your current ID and be prepared to wait. In-person processing is often faster than mail, sometimes completed the same day or within a few days.
Tests and requirements for certain suspensions
If your license was suspended or revoked for a DUI conviction, you will likely need to pass a written test and a vision test before reinstatement is approved. The written test covers Colorado traffic laws and safe driving practices. The vision test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. Both tests are administered at DMV offices.
For other types of suspensions, such as those for unpaid fines or insurance violations, you typically do not need to retake tests. However, if your license has been expired for more than one year, the DMV may require you to pass a written test and vision test as part of the reinstatement process, even if the suspension was not DUI-related.
If you are unsure whether you will need to take a test, ask the DMV when you submit your reinstatement request. They will tell you what to expect.
What to do if your reinstatement request is denied
The DMV may deny your reinstatement request if you did not fully resolve the suspension reason, if you submitted incomplete paperwork, or if you owe additional fines or fees that were added after the original suspension. If this happens, the DMV will send you a letter explaining why and what you need to do next.
Read the denial letter carefully and contact the DMV to clarify what is still outstanding. You may need to pay additional amounts, obtain updated documentation, or resubmit your process with corrected information. Once you address the issue, you can submit a new reinstatement request.
If you believe the denial was made in error, you have the right to request a hearing with the DMV. The denial letter will include instructions on how to file a hearing request and the important date for doing so.
Driving legally while your reinstatement is pending
You cannot legally drive in Colorado while your license is suspended or revoked, even if you have submitted a reinstatement request and are waiting for approval. Driving during suspension is a criminal offense that can result in fines up to $1,000, jail time, and additional license suspension.
If you need to drive before your reinstatement is approved, you have limited options. Some people arrange for someone else to drive them, use public transportation, or take a rideshare service. In rare cases, you may be able to request a temporary permit from the court that suspended your license, but this is not may provide and depends on the specific circumstances of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my license back after I submit a reinstatement request?
Online requests typically take one to two business days. Mail requests take two to three weeks. In-person requests at a DMV office may be processed the same day or within a few days, depending on how busy the office is. After approval, your new license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if I already paid the fine that caused the suspension?
Yes. The reinstatement fee is separate from any fines or tickets you owed. The fee covers the cost of processing your reinstatement request and issuing a new license. Fees range from $95 to $150 depending on the reason for suspension.
What if I moved and the DMV sent the suspension notice to my old address?
Update your address with the Colorado DMV as soon as possible. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. Even if you did not receive the notice, the suspension is still in effect. Contact the DMV to find out what you owe and what you need to do to clear the suspension.
Can I get a temporary license while waiting for my reinstatement to be approved?
No, the Colorado DMV does not issue temporary licenses during reinstatement. However, if your suspension was ordered by a court, you may be able to request a limited driving permit from that court for essential purposes like work or medical appointments. Contact the court that suspended your license to ask about this option.
What happens if I get another traffic violation before my reinstatement is approved?
A new violation can delay or complicate your reinstatement. It may also result in additional suspension time or new charges. Avoid driving entirely while your license is suspended, and focus on completing the reinstatement process as quickly as possible.