Colorado's point system tracks violations on your driving record
Colorado assigns points to your driving record when you receive a traffic ticket or are convicted of a moving violation. The number of points depends on what you did — a speeding ticket might be 4 points, while reckless driving could be 8 points. These points stay on your record for a set time, and if they add up too quickly, the state can suspend your license.
The state uses points to identify drivers who pose a safety risk. It is not a punishment system on top of your fine — it is how Colorado decides whether you should keep your license. Understanding how many points you have and what triggers a suspension helps you know where you stand.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado adds points to your record based on the violation type, ranging from 1 point for minor infractions to 12 points for serious crimes like DUI.
- Your license is suspended automatically if you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, 18 or more points within 24 months, or 24 or more points within 36 months.
- Points remain on your record for 24 months from the date of conviction, but the suspension thresholds reset based on a rolling 12-, 24-, or 36-month window.
- You can request a hearing with the Colorado Department of Revenue if your license is suspended, and you may be able to reduce points through a defensive driving course.
How many points each violation carries in Colorado
Colorado assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Minor infractions like parking violations do not add points. Moving violations — things you do while driving — carry points that range from 1 to 12 depending on what happened.
Speeding carries 4 points if you are 1 to 19 miles per hour over the limit, and 8 points if you are 20 or more miles per hour over. Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points. Reckless driving is 8 points. A DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) is 12 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 12 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license adds 12 points.
If you are convicted of a violation out of state, Colorado will add the same number of points it would assign for that violation in Colorado. You can find the full point schedule on the Colorado Department of Revenue's website under the Division of Motor Vehicles section.
When your license gets suspended based on points
Colorado suspends your license automatically when you hit certain thresholds within rolling time windows. The state looks at three different windows: the past 12 months, the past 24 months, and the past 36 months. If you cross the limit in any of these windows, your license is suspended.
The thresholds are: 12 or more points in 12 months, 18 or more points in 24 months, or 24 or more points in 36 months. This means you could accumulate points slowly over three years and still trigger a suspension. The suspension is not optional — it happens automatically once the state's system detects you have crossed the threshold.
The Colorado Department of Revenue mails you a notice when your license is suspended. The notice tells you the suspension start date, how long it will last, and how to request a hearing if you want to challenge it.
How long points stay on your record
Points remain on your driving record for 24 months from the date you were convicted of the violation. After 24 months, the points drop off and no longer count toward a suspension.
This does not mean the violation itself disappears from your record — it stays there permanently for insurance and background check purposes. But for the purpose of calculating whether you will be suspended, only points from the past 24 months matter. This is why the rolling windows (12, 24, and 36 months) matter: older violations still count toward the 36-month threshold even though their points will eventually expire.
Suspension length and how to request a hearing
The length of your suspension depends on how many points triggered it and whether you have been suspended before. A first suspension is typically 30 days. If you are suspended again within five years, the second suspension is usually 90 days. A third suspension within five years can be six months or longer.
You have the right to request a hearing before the Colorado Department of Revenue within 20 days of receiving the suspension notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the conviction was wrong or that there are reasons the suspension should not happen. You do not have to prove you are a safe driver — the state has to prove the suspension is justified based on the points on your record.
If you request a hearing, your license stays valid until the hearing is held and a decision is made. This can take several weeks, so requesting a hearing buys you time to drive legally while the process moves forward.
Reducing points through a defensive driving course
Colorado allows you to reduce points on your record by taking a defensive driving course approved by the state. You can remove up to 3 points from your record by completing one course, and you can do this once every 12 months. This means if you have 15 points, you could take a course to bring it down to 12, which would keep you below the suspension threshold.
The course must be approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue. You can find a list of approved providers on the Division of Motor Vehicles website. Most courses can be taken online and take four to eight hours to complete. You will pay a fee to the course provider — this varies but is typically between $20 and $50.
After you finish the course, you receive a certificate. You must send this certificate to the Colorado Department of Revenue, and they will update your record. The points reduction takes effect once they process it, which usually takes one to two weeks.
What happens during a license suspension
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate violation that adds 12 points to your record and can result in criminal charges. If you are stopped while suspended, you face fines, possible jail time, and an additional suspension on top of the one already in place.
Some suspensions allow you to request a work permit, which lets you drive to and from your job and necessary appointments like medical visits. You have to request this separately from the Department of Revenue, and it is not automatic. The state considers your situation and decides whether to grant it.
When your suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated. You do not have to do anything or pay a reinstatement fee in Colorado. Your driving privileges straightforward return on the date the suspension expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed from my record before 24 months?
The only way to remove points before 24 months is to take a state-approved defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points and can be done once per 12 months. You cannot petition the state to remove points early, and you cannot have a conviction overturned just to clear your record. If the conviction itself was wrong, you would need to appeal it through the court system.
Do out-of-state violations count toward a Colorado suspension?
Yes. Colorado converts out-of-state violations to Colorado point equivalents and adds them to your record. A speeding ticket from another state counts as 4 points in Colorado, just as it would if you received it in Colorado. The state receives this information through the Interstate Compact, an agreement between states to share driving records.
What if I was not convicted, just cited?
Points are only added when you are convicted of a violation, not when you receive a citation. If you pay a fine, that counts as a conviction. If you fight the ticket in court and lose, that is also a conviction. If you win in court or the ticket is dismissed, no points are added.
Can I get a hardship license during a suspension?
Colorado does not issue hardship licenses, but you can request a work permit that allows you to drive for employment and essential purposes. You must request this from the Colorado Department of Revenue during your suspension period. Whether you receive one depends on your circumstances and the reason for your suspension.
How do I check how many points I have?
You can request a copy of your driving record from the Colorado Department of Revenue online through their website or by mail. The record shows all violations, convictions, and current points. You can also check your record in person at a local Division of Motor Vehicles office.