Colorado suspends your license when you reach 12 points in a 12-month period, or 18 points in a 24-month period
Colorado's Division of Motor Vehicles tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a set number of points. When your points reach 12 within any 12 months, or 18 within any 24 months, the DMV will suspend your license automatically. You do not have to be convicted in court for points to count — a traffic ticket that you pay or plead guilty to adds points to your record.
The suspension is mandatory, not discretionary. Once you hit the threshold, the DMV sends you a notice of suspension by mail. Your license becomes invalid on the date listed in that notice, typically 20 to 30 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even if you disagree with the points or the violations.
Key Takeaways
- Twelve points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months triggers an automatic suspension in Colorado.
- Common violations carry between 1 and 12 points each — speeding 1 to 9 mph over the limit is 1 point, while reckless driving is 12 points.
- Points stay on your record for 24 months from the violation date, so older violations eventually drop off and lower your total.
- You can request a hearing with the DMV to contest the suspension, but you must do so within 20 days of receiving the suspension notice.
- Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, though it does not prevent a suspension that has already been ordered.
How points are assigned to common Colorado violations
The number of points you receive depends on the type and severity of the violation. Minor infractions carry fewer points, while serious violations carry more. Here are the most common violations and their point values:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–9 mph over the limit | 1 point |
| Speeding 10–19 mph over the limit | 4 points |
| Speeding 20+ mph over the limit | 8 points |
| Careless driving | 4 points |
| Reckless driving | 12 points |
| Failure to obey traffic control device | 4 points |
| Improper passing | 4 points |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) | 12 points |
| Hit and run | 12 points |
A single reckless driving ticket or DUI conviction will put you at 12 points when ready, triggering a suspension on its own. Multiple smaller violations accumulate over time. For example, three speeding tickets at 10–19 mph over the limit would give you 12 points total (4 + 4 + 4).
How the 12-month and 24-month lookback periods work
Colorado uses two separate time windows to count your points. The first is a rolling 12-month period: if you accumulate 12 or more points within any 12-month span, your license is suspended. The second is a rolling 24-month period: if you accumulate 18 or more points within any 24-month span, your license is also suspended.
This means a violation from 13 months ago no longer counts toward the 12-month threshold, but it still counts toward the 24-month threshold. Points drop off your record entirely after 24 months from the violation date. If you receive a ticket on January 15, 2024, that violation and its points remain on your record through January 14, 2026. On January 15, 2026, the violation is removed and no longer counts toward either threshold.
The DMV recalculates your point total each time a new violation is added to your record. If you are close to the suspension threshold and receive another ticket, the DMV will notify you when ready if the new violation pushes you over the limit.
What happens when you receive a suspension notice
When the DMV determines that you have reached the suspension threshold, they mail you an official notice of suspension. This notice includes the date your suspension begins, the length of the suspension, and your rights to request a hearing. Read this notice carefully — it contains important date and instructions you must follow.
The suspension typically begins 20 to 30 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange alternative transportation. Your physical license remains valid until the suspension date, but driving after that date is illegal and can result in additional charges, including driving with a suspended license, which carries its own penalties and points.
You should receive the notice by mail at the address on file with the DMV. If you have moved recently, update your address with the DMV when ready to may support you receive the notice. If you do not receive a notice but believe your points may have reached the threshold, contact the Colorado DMV directly to check your record.
Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension
You have the right to request a hearing with the DMV to contest the suspension. You must submit your request within 20 days of receiving the suspension notice. The hearing is your opportunity to present evidence that the violations on your record are incorrect or that the points were miscalculated.
To request a hearing, follow the instructions in your suspension notice. Most requests are submitted by mail or online through the DMV website. You will need to provide your driver's license number, the date of the suspension notice, and a brief explanation of why you believe the suspension is incorrect. The DMV will schedule a hearing date and notify you by mail.
At the hearing, you can present documents, witness testimony, or other evidence to support your case. However, the hearing officer will not reconsider whether the original traffic violations were justified — they will only verify that the violations are correctly recorded on your driving record and that the points were calculated correctly. If you believe a traffic ticket was issued in error, you must contest that ticket in traffic court before the hearing with the DMV.
How defensive driving courses affect your points
Colorado allows you to reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course approved by the DMV. The course is typically four to eight hours long and covers safe driving practices, hazard recognition, and collision avoidance. Upon completion, you receive a certificate that you can submit to the DMV.
The DMV will reduce your point total by up to three points for each approved course you complete. However, you can only use this reduction once every 12 months, and you cannot reduce your points below zero. If you have 15 points and complete a course, your total drops to 12 points — still at the suspension threshold.
Importantly, completing a defensive driving course does not prevent a suspension that has already been ordered. If your license is already suspended, the course cannot reverse the suspension. The course is most useful before you reach the suspension threshold, as a way to lower your point total and avoid suspension altogether.
Length of suspension and reinstatement requirements
The length of your suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended in the past. A first suspension typically lasts one month. A second suspension within five years lasts three months. A third or subsequent suspension within five years lasts six months or longer.
To reinstate your license after the suspension period ends, you must contact the Colorado DMV and pay a reinstatement fee. The fee varies but is typically between $95 and $150. You may also be required to pass a written driving test or vision test before your license is reinstated, depending on the reason for the suspension and your driving history.
If you accumulate additional violations during your suspension period, those violations will still be recorded on your driving record. When your license is reinstated, those new violations count toward your point total. If you already have points close to the suspension threshold, new violations received during the suspension can trigger another suspension when ready after reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get points for a ticket I paid without going to court?
Yes. In Colorado, paying a traffic ticket is treated as a plea of guilty or no contest. The violation is recorded on your driving record with its full point value. You do not need to be convicted in court for points to be added — paying the ticket adds the points.
Can I get points removed from my record before 24 months?
Only through a defensive driving course, which reduces your total by up to three points once per 12 months. You cannot have violations removed early. Points automatically drop off after 24 months from the violation date.
What if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Colorado. You will face additional charges, fines, and jail time depending on whether it is your first or subsequent offense. The new violation will also add points to your record, which can extend your suspension or trigger a new one when your license is reinstated.
Does a defensive driving course prevent suspension?
A course can lower your points before suspension occurs, but it cannot stop a suspension that has already been ordered by the DMV. If you have already received a suspension notice, completing a course will not reverse it.
How do I check how many points I currently have?
You can check your driving record through the Colorado DMV website or by visiting a DMV office in person. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. Your record shows all violations from the past 24 months and your current point total.