Colorado suspends your license when you reach 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months

Colorado uses a point accumulation system tied to traffic violations. Every violation you receive adds points to your driving record. Once you hit certain thresholds within specific time windows, the Colorado Department of Revenue automatically suspends your license. The exact threshold depends on how long the violations span.

The state tracks points in three separate windows: the past 12 months, the past 24 months, and the past 36 months. You only need to hit one threshold to trigger a suspension. For example, if you accumulate 12 points in a single year, your license is suspended when ready — you do not need to wait to see if you hit 18 points in two years.

The suspension is mandatory and automatic. You do not receive a warning letter before the suspension takes effect. The Department of Revenue sends notice after the suspension has already begun.

Key Takeaways

  • Twelve points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months triggers an automatic license suspension in Colorado.
  • Points remain on your record for 36 months from the violation date, so older violations eventually stop counting toward suspension thresholds.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket is typically 4 points, while reckless driving is 8 points.
  • You can request a hearing within 20 days of receiving the suspension notice to challenge the suspension, though the hearing does not erase points already on your record.

How Points Are Assigned to Different Violations

Colorado assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A minor speeding ticket (1 to 19 miles per hour over the limit) costs 4 points. Speeding 20 to 39 miles per hour over the limit is 6 points. Speeding 40 or more miles per hour over the limit is 12 points by itself — enough to suspend your license in a single violation.

Reckless driving is 8 points. Careless driving is 4 points. Failure to obey a traffic control device is 4 points. Improper passing is 4 points. Driving with an expired license is 4 points. Hit-and-run is 12 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 12 points, and driving with a suspended or revoked license is 12 points.

Not all traffic citations add points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some non-moving violations do not appear on your driving record and do not count toward suspension. You can ask the officer or the court clerk whether a specific citation carries points.

The Three Time Windows That Matter

Colorado measures your points across three overlapping time periods. The state looks at points accumulated in the last 12 months, the last 24 months, and the last 36 months. You trigger a suspension if you hit the threshold in any one of these windows.

This means a violation from three years ago stops counting entirely — it falls outside the 36-month window. But a violation from 11 months ago still counts toward your 12-month total, even if it is old enough that it would not count toward a 24-month suspension on its own.

The Department of Revenue recalculates your points automatically each time a new violation is added to your record. If you are close to a threshold, a single new ticket can push you over the edge.

What Happens When Your License Is Suspended

Once you reach a suspension threshold, the Department of Revenue mails you a notice of suspension. The suspension typically takes effect 20 days after the notice is mailed, giving you a window to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is incorrect.

During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including jail time and additional fines. You also cannot renew your vehicle registration while your license is suspended.

The length of the suspension depends on whether this is your first suspension and how many points you accumulated. A first suspension for reaching 12 points in 12 months is typically one month. Reaching 18 points in 24 months is typically three months. Reaching 24 points in 36 months is typically six months. Subsequent suspensions carry longer periods.

How to Request a Hearing Before Suspension Takes Effect

You have 20 days from the date the suspension notice is mailed to request a hearing. The notice itself will include instructions on how to request one. You can request a hearing by mail, phone, or in person at your local DMV office.

At the hearing, you can challenge whether the points on your record are accurate. You can present evidence that a violation was dismissed, reduced, or incorrectly recorded. However, the hearing does not allow you to argue that the point threshold itself is unfair — that is set by state law and cannot be changed at a hearing.

If the hearing officer finds that the points are correct, the suspension stands. If errors are found — for example, a violation that was dismissed is still showing as active — those points can be removed and your total recalculated.

Reducing Points Through Defensive Driving Course

Colorado allows you to remove up to 3 points from your driving record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can do this once every 12 months, and you can remove a maximum of 3 points per course.

The course must be approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Many are offered online and take four to eight hours to complete. You pay a fee directly to the course provider, typically between $20 and $50. After you complete the course, the provider sends proof of completion to the Department of Revenue, which then removes the points.

This reduction happens after the course is completed, not before. If you are already suspended, completing a defensive driving course does not when ready restore your license — you must wait out the suspension period. However, removing points can prevent future suspensions if you are close to a threshold.

How to Check Your Current Points and Suspension Status

You can check your driving record and current point total through the Colorado Department of Revenue website or by visiting a local DMV office in person. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth.

The online system shows every violation on your record, the date it was recorded, the points assigned, and when it will fall off (36 months from the violation date). It also shows your current total across all three time windows.

If you see a violation on your record that you believe is incorrect — dismissed in court, reduced to a non-moving violation, or recorded with the wrong point value — contact the court that handled the case. The court must send corrected information to the Department of Revenue, which can take 30 to 60 days to process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back early if I complete a defensive driving course?

No. A defensive driving course removes points from your record but does not shorten an active suspension. You must wait out the full suspension period. After your license is reinstated, you can take a course to prevent future suspensions.

What if I was cited for speeding but the ticket was dismissed in court?

A dismissed citation should not appear on your driving record and should not add points. However, dismissed cases sometimes take 30 to 60 days to update in the system. If you see it still showing points, contact the court clerk and ask them to send a corrected record to the Department of Revenue.

Does a suspension in Colorado affect my license in other states?

Yes. Colorado reports suspensions to the National Driver Registry, and most states honor suspensions from other states. You cannot straightforward move to another state and get a new license while suspended in Colorado.

How much does it cost to reinstate my license after suspension?

Colorado charges a reinstatement fee of $100 when your suspension period ends. You must pay this fee and pass a vision test before your license is restored. If you were suspended for DUI-related violations, additional requirements may explore.

Can I get a hardship license to drive to work during suspension?

Colorado does not issue hardship licenses for point-based suspensions. You can only drive during suspension if you obtain a court order, which is rare and requires showing extreme hardship. Most suspensions must be served in full.