Colorado assigns points to your license when you get certain traffic violations, and too many points within a set time period can result in suspension

Colorado's point system is a way the state tracks driving violations on your record. When you receive a ticket for certain traffic offenses, the Colorado Department of Revenue adds points to your license. The number of points depends on the type of violation. If you accumulate too many points within 12 months, your license gets suspended automatically — you do not have to do anything to trigger it, and the state does not send a warning first.

The suspension is not permanent. Once your suspension period ends and you meet the state's requirements to reinstate your license, you can drive again. However, understanding how points work and what violations carry them helps you see how close you are to suspension and what happens if you reach that threshold.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado suspends your license automatically when you reach 12 or more points within 12 months; the state does not send advance notice.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket is typically 4 points, while reckless driving is 8 points.
  • Points stay on your record for 24 months from the violation date, but only violations within the most recent 12 months count toward suspension.
  • You can check your current point total through the Colorado Department of Revenue website or by calling their driver license section.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can remove up to 4 points from your record, but you can only do this once every 12 months.

Point values for common Colorado traffic violations

Colorado assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Speeding violations typically carry 4 points, regardless of how far over the limit you were driving. Careless driving — which means driving without due regard for safety — is also 4 points. Reckless driving, which is more serious and means driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety, carries 8 points.

Violations involving alcohol or drugs carry higher points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 12 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points. Failure to stop for a police officer is 6 points. A single violation of 12 points alone will trigger suspension, since the threshold is 12 points in 12 months.

Not every traffic ticket results in points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some minor infractions do not add points to your driving record. If you are unsure whether a specific violation carries points, the officer's citation should indicate the point value, or you can contact the Colorado Department of Revenue.

How the 12-month rolling window works

Colorado looks at violations within the past 12 months to decide whether to suspend your license. This is a rolling window, meaning it moves forward each day. If you got a ticket on January 15, 2024, that violation counts toward your total until January 15, 2025. On January 16, 2025, it no longer counts, even though it stays on your record.

This matters because you could have 11 points from violations spread across different months, and then get one more 4-point violation. That would put you at 15 points within 12 months, triggering suspension. But if that 4-point violation happens after the oldest violation has rolled off the 12-month window, you might stay below 12 points and avoid suspension.

The state does not send you a notice before suspension takes effect. The suspension happens automatically when the point total reaches 12. You will typically find out when you try to renew your license, receive a notice in the mail, or are stopped by police. This is why checking your point total regularly is important if you have received recent violations.

Checking your point total and suspension status

You can find out how many points are on your license through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website. Go to the Driver License section and look for the option to check your driving record. You will need your driver license number and date of birth. The record shows each violation, the date it occurred, and the points assigned.

You can also call the Colorado Department of Revenue Driver License Section directly to ask about your point total. Having your license number ready will speed up the process. If you have been suspended, the record will show the suspension date and the date it ends.

Checking your record is free and takes just a few minutes. If you have received multiple violations recently, it is worth checking before you get another ticket, so you know how close you are to the 12-point threshold.

What happens when you reach 12 points

When your point total reaches 12 within a 12-month period, your license is suspended for a minimum of one month. The suspension is mandatory — there is no way to avoid it once you hit 12 points. The state will mail you a suspension notice, but the suspension takes effect on the date shown in the notice, not when you receive it.

During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation that carries 6 points and criminal penalties. Once your suspension period ends, you must reinstate your license before you can drive again. Reinstatement typically involves paying a fee to the Colorado Department of Revenue and may require proof of insurance or completion of other requirements depending on the reason for suspension.

If you accumulate more points after a suspension, the next suspension period is longer. A second suspension within five years is typically for three months; a third is for six months or longer. The penalties increase with each suspension.

Removing points through defensive driving

Colorado allows you to remove up to 4 points from your record by completing a defensive driving course. The course must be approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue. You can take the course online or in person, depending on what is available in your area. The course typically takes four to eight hours to complete.

You can only remove points this way once every 12 months, even if you take multiple courses. The points are removed after you complete the course and submit proof of completion to the Colorado Department of Revenue. This can be useful if you are close to the 12-point suspension threshold and want to bring your total down.

Taking a defensive driving course does not erase the violation from your record — it only removes the points. The violation itself remains visible on your driving history. Additionally, you cannot use a defensive driving course to remove points from a DUI, reckless driving, or certain other serious violations.

Points stay on your record for two years

Even after points stop counting toward suspension (because they have rolled off the 12-month window), they remain on your driving record for 24 months from the violation date. This means they are still visible if someone runs a background check on you, such as a potential employer or insurance company.

Insurance companies often look at your full driving record, not just points within the last 12 months. A violation from 18 months ago no longer counts toward license suspension, but it may still affect your insurance rates. This is why even older violations matter — they influence how insurers view your risk as a driver.

After 24 months, the violation is removed from your record entirely. At that point, it will not show up on background checks or affect your insurance rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dispute points on my license?

You can dispute the violation itself by contesting the ticket in traffic court. If you win the case, the violation is dismissed and no points are added. However, if the violation is already on your record and you did not contest it in court, you cannot remove the points through the Colorado Department of Revenue. Your only option at that point is a defensive driving course, if you are may be able to access.

Do points from out-of-state violations count in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado participates in the Driver License Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to Colorado and added to your record. Points from out-of-state violations count toward the 12-point suspension threshold just like Colorado violations do.

What if I get suspended — can I get a work permit to drive?

Colorado does not issue work permits or restricted licenses during a suspension from the point system. You cannot legally drive during your suspension period, even for work or medical reasons. You must wait until the suspension ends and reinstate your license.

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

The reinstatement fee varies depending on the reason for suspension and whether you have had previous suspensions. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue for the current fee amount, as it changes periodically. You will also need to provide proof of insurance before reinstatement.

If I move out of Colorado, do the points follow me?

If you move to another state and get a license there, your Colorado points do not automatically transfer. However, the other state may request your driving record from Colorado as part of the license transfer process. Your Colorado violations remain on your Colorado record even if you no longer live there.