Colorado assigns points based on the violation, and your license is suspended when you hit a threshold that depends on your age

Colorado's point system assigns a number of points to each traffic violation you receive. The points stay on your record for a set time, and if you accumulate too many within that window, the state suspends your driving privileges. The threshold that triggers suspension depends on whether you are under 18, between 18 and 20, or 21 and older.

You do not accumulate points from every traffic stop. Minor infractions like parking violations do not add points. Points are assigned only for moving violations — things like speeding, running a red light, reckless driving, or driving under the influence. The more serious the violation, the more points it carries.

Colorado's Department of Revenue keeps the official record. You can request your driving record online through the state website or by mail, and you should check it periodically to know where you stand. If you believe points were recorded in error, you can dispute them through the department.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado assigns between 4 and 12 points per violation, with more serious infractions like DUI carrying the highest point values.
  • Drivers under 18 lose their license after 6 points; drivers 18 to 20 after 9 points; drivers 21 and older after 12 points in a 12-month period.
  • Points remain on your record for 24 months from the violation date, but the suspension threshold resets every 12 months.
  • You can reduce points through traffic safety school, which removes up to 3 points if you complete an approved course within 90 days of the violation.
  • The Colorado Department of Revenue maintains your official record, and you can request it online or by mail to verify accuracy.

Point values for common Colorado violations

Colorado assigns points on a scale that reflects how dangerous the state considers the violation. A minor speeding ticket (1 to 19 mph over the limit) is 4 points. Speeding 20 to 39 mph over the limit is 8 points. Speeding 40 mph or more over the limit is 12 points — the maximum for a single violation.

Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points. Reckless driving is 8 points. Improper passing is 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 12 points. A first-time DUI conviction is 12 points. A second DUI within five years is also 12 points, but you face additional penalties beyond points.

Not every violation carries the same weight across all states, so if you have driven in multiple states, do not assume a violation you received elsewhere follows Colorado's point scale. Only violations recorded in Colorado count toward your Colorado suspension threshold.

Suspension thresholds by age group

Colorado divides drivers into three age categories, each with a different point threshold before suspension kicks in. Drivers under 18 have the lowest threshold: their license is suspended after 6 points in a 12-month period. This reflects the state's stricter rules for young drivers.

Drivers 18 to 20 years old can accumulate up to 9 points before suspension. Drivers 21 and older can accumulate up to 12 points before suspension. The 12-month window resets on a rolling basis — the state looks back 12 months from today and counts all points assigned during that period.

If you hit the threshold, the Colorado Department of Revenue sends you a notice of suspension. The suspension typically lasts 30 days for a first offense, though the exact length depends on your driving history and whether you have had previous suspensions. After the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100) to restore your driving privileges.

How long points stay on your record

Points remain on your Colorado driving record for 24 months from the date of the violation, not from the date you received the ticket or were convicted. This means a violation from January 2023 falls off your record in January 2025, regardless of when you paid the fine or went to court.

However, the suspension threshold resets every 12 months on a rolling basis. This means that even though points stay visible on your record for two years, they stop counting toward suspension after 12 months. If you accumulated 10 points in January 2023 and 2 points in February 2024, you would be suspended in February 2024 (because 10 + 2 = 12). But in February 2025, the January 2023 points drop out of the 12-month window, and only the February 2024 points count.

This distinction matters because your record is public and potential employers or insurance companies can see violations for the full 24 months, even after they stop affecting your driving privileges. Points do not disappear from your record after 12 months — they just stop being counted for suspension purposes.

Traffic safety school and point reduction

Colorado allows you to reduce points through traffic safety school, also called a defensive driving course. If you complete an approved course within 90 days of receiving a violation, you can remove up to 3 points from that violation. You can use traffic safety school only once every 12 months, even if you receive multiple violations.

Not all violations are may be able to access. DUI convictions, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license cannot be reduced through traffic safety school. You must also have been cited for the violation — you cannot take the course preemptively to prevent points.

The course itself is typically 4 to 8 hours long and can be taken online or in person, depending on the provider. You pay a fee (usually $20 to $50) directly to the course provider, separate from any fine you owe the court. After you complete the course, the provider sends proof to the Colorado Department of Revenue, and the points are removed from your record.

Disputing points or violations on your record

If you believe points were recorded in error — for example, if a violation was dismissed in court but still appears on your driving record — you can request a correction. Start by obtaining a copy of your official driving record from the Colorado Department of Revenue. You can order it online at the state's website or by mail.

Compare the violations on your record to your court documents. If a violation was dismissed, acquitted, or reduced to a non-moving violation, it should not carry points. If it does, contact the court that handled the case and ask for a certified copy of the disposition (the final outcome). Then send that document to the Colorado Department of Revenue with a written request to correct your record.

The process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. If the department agrees the record is wrong, they will issue a corrected driving record. If you disagree with their decision, you can request a hearing before a hearing officer at the Department of Revenue.

What happens after suspension and reinstatement

After your license is suspended and the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Colorado Department of Revenue before you can drive legally again. The current fee is $100, though this amount can change. You cannot straightforward wait out the suspension and resume driving — the reinstatement fee is mandatory.

If you are suspended a second time within five years, the suspension period is longer (typically 60 days instead of 30), and you may be required to complete a driver improvement course before reinstatement. A third suspension within five years can result in a one-year suspension and mandatory completion of a substance abuse evaluation if drugs or alcohol were involved.

Driving with a suspended license is itself a violation worth 12 points and can result in criminal charges. If you are suspended, do not drive until your reinstatement is complete and you have paid the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my Colorado driving record online?

Yes. The Colorado Department of Revenue allows you to order your driving record through their website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record is usually available within a few business days. You can also order by mail if you prefer not to use the online system.

Do points from other states count toward my Colorado suspension?

No. Only violations recorded in Colorado count toward your Colorado suspension threshold. However, if you move to Colorado with an out-of-state license, the state may review your driving history from other states when deciding whether to issue you a Colorado license. Serious violations like DUI can affect your ability to obtain a Colorado license even if they occurred elsewhere.

What if I get a ticket but the officer made a mistake?

You can contest the ticket in court. If you are found not guilty or the charge is dismissed, the violation should not result in points. However, you must go to court or resolve the ticket through the court system — straightforward ignoring it will not prevent points from being assigned. If points were assigned despite a dismissal, follow the dispute process described above.

Does traffic safety school remove points that are already on my record?

Traffic safety school removes up to 3 points only for violations you have not yet been convicted of, or within 90 days of the violation. You cannot use it to remove points from an old violation that is already on your record. You must enroll in the course soon after receiving the ticket.

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

The current reinstatement fee in Colorado is $100. You must pay this fee to the Colorado Department of Revenue before your driving privileges are restored. If you have multiple suspensions or other outstanding fines, you may owe additional amounts. Check with the Department of Revenue about your specific situation.