You cannot get a new driver's license while your current one is suspended
Colorado's Department of Revenue will not issue you a driver's license if your existing license is under suspension. The state treats a suspension as an active penalty — you cannot straightforward get a fresh license to work around it. The suspension stays attached to your driving record, and any attempt to obtain a new license will be flagged in the system.
However, there are specific steps you can take to lift the suspension, after which you can renew or replace your license. The path forward depends on why your license was suspended in the first place, because different reasons have different removal procedures.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado will not issue a new driver's license while your current license is suspended, regardless of whether you explore in person or by mail.
- The reason for your suspension determines how you lift it — unpaid fines, DUI convictions, and medical holds each have different procedures.
- You can check your suspension status and the reason for it by contacting the Colorado Department of Revenue's Driver's License Section or checking your record online through their website.
- Once your suspension is lifted, you can renew your license at any Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office or through the mail.
- Driving on a suspended license in Colorado is a criminal offense that can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
Finding out why your license is suspended
Before you can remove a suspension, you need to know what caused it. Colorado suspends licenses for several reasons: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, DUI or DWAI convictions, failure to pay child support, medical conditions reported to the state, or accumulation of too many traffic violations in a short period.
Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue's Driver's License Section at 303-205-5613 to ask why your license is suspended. Have your driver's license number ready. You can also check your driving record online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website — you will need to pay a small fee to view your full record, which includes suspension details and the reason.
The reason matters because it tells you exactly what you must do to get the suspension lifted. A suspension for unpaid fines requires payment; a suspension for a medical condition requires clearance from a doctor; a suspension for DUI requires completion of specific programs.
Lifting a suspension for unpaid fines or court costs
If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines, court costs, or restitution, you must pay what you owe to the court that issued the citation. Contact the court in the county where you received the ticket — the court's phone number should be on your citation or court paperwork.
Once you pay in full, the court sends notice to the Colorado Department of Revenue that the debt is satisfied. The Department of Revenue then lifts the suspension, though this can take several business days to process. You do not need to visit the DMV yourself; the court handles the notification automatically.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, ask the court about a payment plan. Many Colorado courts allow you to pay fines in installments, and some will lift the suspension once you have made your first payment and committed to a plan in writing.
Lifting a suspension for DUI or DWAI conviction
A suspension tied to a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) conviction requires you to complete several steps before the suspension can be removed. These typically include completing a substance abuse education program, paying court fines, and meeting any probation requirements set by the court.
The specific requirements depend on whether this is your first offense and the details of your case. Your sentencing paperwork or probation officer will list exactly what you must complete. Once you have finished all court-ordered programs and paid all fines, contact the court that handled your case to confirm everything is satisfied.
After the court confirms completion, the Department of Revenue is notified and lifts the suspension. This process usually takes longer than a straightforward fine suspension — often several weeks — because programs must be completed before the court can clear you.
Lifting a suspension for medical reasons
If your license was suspended because of a medical condition — such as a seizure disorder, vision loss, or cognitive impairment reported to the state — you will need medical clearance to have it lifted. The Colorado Department of Revenue will tell you which type of doctor must evaluate you and what form they must complete.
Schedule an appointment with the appropriate medical professional and bring the form the Department of Revenue provides. The doctor will examine you and determine whether you are safe to drive. If they clear you, they sign the form and you submit it to the Department of Revenue.
The Department of Revenue reviews the medical clearance and, if approved, lifts the suspension. This can take two to four weeks after submission. If the doctor does not clear you, the suspension remains in place until you seek re-evaluation.
Renewing your license after suspension is lifted
Once your suspension is officially lifted, you can renew or replace your driver's license. You can do this in person at any Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office, by mail, or online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website if you are renewing a license that has not expired.
Bring your current driver's license (or state ID), proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease, and proof of your Social Security number. If your license has already expired, you will need to take a new photo and may need to retake the written test depending on how long it has been expired.
Processing times vary: in-person renewals are usually completed the same day, mail renewals take two to three weeks, and online renewals take about one week. Check the Colorado Department of Revenue website for current wait times at your local office before you visit.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in Colorado is a criminal offense. A first offense is typically charged as a misdemeanor and can result in fines between $300 and $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. A second offense within five years carries higher penalties, including possible jail time up to six months and fines up to $1,500.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license also extends your suspension. The Department of Revenue may add additional months to your suspension period, and you may face new court costs and fines. If you are caught driving suspended a second time, your license can be revoked entirely, which is more serious than a suspension and requires a separate process to restore.
If you need to drive before your suspension is lifted — for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons — ask the court about a work permit or hardship license. Colorado courts can issue these in limited circumstances, allowing you to drive only for specific purposes during your suspension period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to lift a suspension in Colorado?
It depends on the reason. Unpaid fine suspensions can be lifted within days of payment. DUI suspensions typically take several weeks because you must complete programs first. Medical suspensions take two to four weeks after you submit doctor clearance. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue or your court for a specific timeline based on your situation.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Yes, in some cases. Colorado courts can issue a work permit or hardship license that allows you to drive for specific purposes — usually work, school, or medical appointments — during your suspension. You must request this from the court that issued your suspension, and approval is not may provide. The court considers whether the hardship is genuine and necessary.
What if I moved out of Colorado while my license was suspended?
Your Colorado suspension remains on your record even if you move. If you want to obtain a license in another state, that state's DMV will see your Colorado suspension when they check your driving history. You should resolve the Colorado suspension before explore for a license elsewhere, or you may face denial or additional complications.
Do I have to retake the written test after my suspension is lifted?
Not usually, if your license has not expired. If your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to retake the written test and vision test when you renew. Check with your local Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles office about your specific situation, since rules can vary based on how long your license has been expired.
Can I check my suspension status online?
Yes. The Colorado Department of Revenue website allows you to view your driving record online for a fee. Your record will show whether your license is currently suspended and, in most cases, the reason. You can also call the Driver's License Section at 303-205-5613 to ask about your status over the phone.