How Colorado Suspends a License and What It Means
A suspended license in Colorado means the Colorado Department of Revenue has temporarily revoked your driving privilege. You cannot legally drive during the suspension period, and driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties. The suspension is not permanent — it ends on a specific date set by the state — but you must meet certain conditions before you can drive again.
Colorado suspends licenses for specific violations and failures. The most common reason is unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered restitution. Other frequent causes include accumulating too many points on your driving record, failing to pay child support, failing a drug test ordered by the court, or not maintaining required auto insurance. The state also suspends licenses for administrative reasons: failing to respond to a traffic citation, not appearing in court, or not paying a reinstatement fee after a previous suspension.
When your license is suspended, you receive a notice in the mail from the Colorado Department of Revenue. This notice states the reason for the suspension, the date it begins, and the date it will end — unless you take action to resolve the underlying issue. Some suspensions are automatic; others require a court order. The length of the suspension depends on the reason and whether it is your first offense.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado suspends licenses most often for unpaid fines, traffic court failures, or accumulating too many points on your driving record.
- You must resolve the underlying cause — paying fines, appearing in court, or completing a required program — before the suspension will be lifted.
- Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime in Colorado and can result in arrest, vehicle impound, and additional fines.
- The Colorado Department of Revenue will notify you by mail of the suspension reason, start date, and end date, and you can check your status online through the DMV website.
- After the suspension ends or the cause is resolved, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Department of Revenue before you can legally drive again.
The Most Common Reasons Colorado Suspends Licenses
Unpaid traffic fines and court costs are the leading cause of license suspension in Colorado. When you receive a traffic ticket and do not pay the fine by the court important date, the court reports the failure to the Department of Revenue. The state then suspends your license. This applies to any traffic violation — speeding, running a red light, or equipment violations. If you owe restitution to a victim as part of a court sentence, failure to pay also triggers suspension.
Accumulating points on your driving record leads to suspension under Colorado's point system. You receive points for moving violations: one point for minor infractions, four points for reckless driving, and varying amounts for other violations. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, your license is suspended for a minimum of one month. If you accumulate 18 or more points within 24 months, the suspension is longer. Each point stays on your record for three years from the violation date.
Failing to appear in court for a traffic citation or criminal charge results in an automatic suspension. If you miss a court date, the judge issues a failure-to-appear order, and the court notifies the Department of Revenue. Your license is suspended until you appear in court and resolve the case. This suspension can happen even if the original charge was minor.
Driving without insurance triggers suspension in Colorado. If you are caught driving without proof of liability insurance, the officer reports it to the Department of Revenue. Your license is suspended for at least one year. You must obtain insurance and provide proof to the state before reinstatement.
Child support arrears result in license suspension. If you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments, the Colorado Department of Human Services reports you to the Department of Revenue. Your license is suspended until you bring your payments current or enter into a payment agreement with the child support enforcement office.
Drug-related convictions carry automatic license suspension. A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), or drug possession results in suspension. The length depends on whether it is a first offense and the specific charge. A first DUI suspension lasts a minimum of three months; a second offense within ten years results in a minimum one-year suspension.
How to Check Your Suspension Status in Colorado
You can check whether your license is currently suspended through the Colorado Department of Revenue website. Go to the DMV section and select "Check Your Driving Record." You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show your current license status, any active suspensions, the reason for suspension, and the date the suspension will end.
You can also call the Colorado Department of Revenue Driver Services at 303-205-5613 to ask about your suspension status. Have your driver's license number ready. The staff can tell you the suspension reason, the end date, and what you must do to have it lifted. If you are unsure whether you have an outstanding fine or court obligation, ask the staff to check for you.
If you received a suspension notice in the mail but are not sure what caused it, the notice itself lists the reason and the Department of Revenue contact information. Do not ignore the notice. The suspension begins on the date stated, and driving during that period is illegal.
Steps to Resolve a Suspension and Restore Your License
The first step is to identify and resolve the underlying cause of the suspension. If the suspension is for unpaid fines, you must pay the fine and any court costs to the court that issued the ticket. Contact the court directly — the notice you received should list the court name and phone number. Ask how much you owe and whether you can set up a payment plan. Once you pay, the court notifies the Department of Revenue, and your suspension is lifted.
If the suspension is for failure to appear in court, you must appear in court and resolve the case. Contact the court listed on your notice and ask to reschedule your appearance. Bring any documents relevant to your case. Once you appear and the case is resolved (or you enter a plea agreement), the court notifies the Department of Revenue.
If the suspension is for accumulating points, you cannot remove the points, but the suspension will end on the date stated in your notice. However, you can take a defensive driving course to reduce points on your record. The Colorado Department of Revenue approves certain courses; completing one removes up to four points from your record. This may prevent future suspensions if you are close to the threshold.
If the suspension is for driving without insurance, you must obtain liability insurance and provide proof to the Department of Revenue. Contact an insurance agent and purchase a policy. Then submit proof of insurance to the Department of Revenue. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
If the suspension is for child support arrears, contact the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Learning, or the local child support enforcement office. Bring your child support case number. You can arrange a payment plan or bring your account current. Once the office confirms you are in compliance, they notify the Department of Revenue.
After you resolve the underlying cause, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Colorado Department of Revenue. The fee is $95 for most suspensions. You can pay online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Once the fee is processed, your license is restored and you can legally drive again.
Driving on a Suspended License: Penalties and Risks
Driving with a suspended license in Colorado is a separate criminal offense. If you are pulled over and your license is suspended, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license. The penalties depend on whether the suspension was for a safety-related reason (like DUI or reckless driving) or an administrative reason (like unpaid fines).
For a first offense of driving with a suspended license for an administrative reason, you face a fine of $130 to $650 and possible jail time of up to ten days. For a second offense within five years, the fine increases to $200 to $1,000 and jail time up to 30 days. If the suspension was for a safety-related reason like DUI, the penalties are more severe: a fine of $300 to $1,000 and jail time up to 90 days for a first offense.
Beyond the criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license can result in vehicle impound. Police may tow your car and hold it until you pay impound and storage fees, which can exceed $500. Your insurance company may also cancel your policy if you are convicted of driving with a suspended license, making it harder and more expensive to obtain coverage in the future.
Hardship Licenses and Restricted Driving Permits
Colorado allows you to request a hardship license (also called a restricted driving permit) in certain situations. A hardship license permits you to drive only for specific purposes: work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You cannot use it for any other reason.
To request a hardship license, you must file a petition with the court that issued the suspension or the court in the county where you live. You must show that the suspension causes undue hardship — for example, you cannot reach your job, medical treatment, or school without driving. The court reviews your petition and decides whether to grant it. Hardship licenses are not automatic; the judge has discretion to deny your request.
The process takes time. You must file the petition, attend a hearing, and wait for the judge's decision. During this time, you cannot legally drive unless you already have a hardship license from a previous suspension. If you are granted one, you must carry the permit with you at all times while driving and follow the restrictions exactly. Violating the restrictions — for example, driving to a location not listed on the permit — is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Colorado license suspension last?
The length depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines typically last until you pay; suspensions for points last a minimum of one month but can extend longer depending on how many points you accumulated. DUI suspensions last a minimum of three months for a first offense and one year for a second offense within ten years. The notice you received states your specific end date.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
You can request one by filing a petition with the court, but approval is not may provide. You must prove that the suspension causes undue hardship and that you need to drive for essential purposes like work or medical care. The judge decides whether to grant it. The process takes several weeks.
What happens if I ignore a suspension notice?
Your suspension begins on the date stated in the notice regardless of whether you acknowledge it. If you drive during the suspension, you can be arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license. This is a separate crime with its own penalties, fines, and possible jail time. The underlying suspension issue remains unresolved until you address it.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if the suspension ended on its own?
Yes. Even if the suspension period has passed, you must pay the $95 reinstatement fee to the Colorado Department of Revenue before your license is officially restored. You cannot legally drive until the fee is paid and processed, even if the suspension date has passed.
Can I appeal a license suspension in Colorado?
It depends on the reason. If the suspension resulted from a court order (like for DUI or failure to appear), you can appeal through the court system. If the suspension is administrative (like for unpaid fines), you can request a hearing with the Department of Revenue to contest the suspension, but you must do so within a specific timeframe. Contact the Department of Revenue or the court that issued the suspension to learn about your appeal options.