How to learn about your Colorado license is suspended right now
The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains a record of every suspended license in the state. You can check the status of your own license in three ways: online through the DMV website, by phone, or in person at a DMV office. The fastest method is the online check, which takes about two minutes and requires your driver's license number and date of birth.
To check online, go to the Colorado DMV website and look for the "Check Driver License Status" tool. Enter your license number and birth date exactly as they appear on your license. The system will when ready tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled. If it is suspended, the screen will show the reason and the date the suspension began.
If you prefer to call, the Colorado DMV customer service line can look up your status over the phone. You will need your license number and date of birth. If you cannot find your license number, you can provide your full name and Social Security number instead. The wait time varies depending on call volume, but you should expect to hold for 10 to 30 minutes during business hours.
Key Takeaways
- You can check your Colorado license status online at the DMV website in about two minutes using your license number and date of birth.
- A suspension means you cannot legally drive, but the suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you meet certain conditions.
- The most common reasons for suspension in Colorado are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, and driving with a suspended license.
- Once you know why your license is suspended, you will need to contact the agency that issued the suspension to find out what steps restore it.
Why Colorado suspends licenses and what each reason means
Colorado does not suspend a license on its own. Instead, another government agency — usually a court, the Colorado Department of Revenue, or a child support enforcement office — requests the suspension, and the DMV carries it out. The reason for the suspension determines what you have to do to get it lifted.
The most common reason is unpaid traffic fines or court costs. When you receive a ticket and do not pay the fine by the due date, the court can request a suspension. This is called a "failure to pay" suspension. To restore your license, you must pay the full amount owed, including any late fees or collection costs. Once the court receives your payment, it notifies the DMV, and your license is usually restored within one to three business days.
A second common reason is failure to appear in court. If you received a ticket, were ordered to appear in court on a specific date, and did not show up, the court can suspend your license. You will need to contact the court that issued the ticket, explain your absence, and either pay the fine or reschedule your court date. Some courts allow you to resolve this by phone or mail.
Child support arrears also trigger suspension. If you owe back child support and have not made payments, the Colorado Department of Human Services can request a suspension. To restore your license, you must contact the child support enforcement office, set up a payment plan, and make at least one payment. The office will then notify the DMV to lift the suspension.
Driving with a suspended license itself can cause a new suspension. If you were caught driving while your license was already suspended, the court can impose an additional suspension on top of the original one. This means you must resolve the original suspension first, then address the new violation separately.
What to do once you know the reason for your suspension
After you check your status and see the reason, your next step depends on which agency suspended your license. The DMV website or phone line should tell you which agency to contact. Write down the reason and any case or ticket number shown on the status report — you will need this information when you call.
If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, contact the court listed on your status report. Call the court's traffic division or collections department and give them your case number. Ask what the total amount owed is, including fines, court costs, and any collection fees. Ask whether you can pay by phone, online, or mail, or whether you must appear in person. Many Colorado courts accept payment over the phone using a credit or debit card.
If the suspension is due to failure to appear, call the same court and explain that you missed your court date. Ask whether you can reschedule or resolve the ticket without appearing. Some courts will allow you to plead guilty and pay the fine by phone. Others require you to appear in person, but may allow you to do so at a later date that works for you.
If the suspension is due to child support arrears, contact the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Learning, or call the child support hotline. You will need to provide your case number and Social Security number. The office will tell you the amount owed and discuss payment options. Even a partial payment or a signed payment agreement may be enough to request that the DMV lift the suspension while you pay off the rest.
How long it takes to restore your license after you resolve the issue
The timeline depends on how quickly the agency that suspended your license notifies the DMV of the resolution. If you pay a fine in person at a court, the court may notify the DMV the same day, and your license can be restored within 24 hours. If you pay by mail or phone, the court needs time to process the payment and send the notification, which usually takes three to five business days.
For child support cases, the Department of Human Services typically notifies the DMV within one to three business days after you make a payment or sign an agreement. For failure to appear cases, the timeline depends on whether you reschedule your court date or resolve the ticket. If you resolve it the same day you call, the court may notify the DMV when ready. If you reschedule, the suspension stays in place until after your new court date.
Do not assume your license is restored just because you paid or resolved the issue. Check your status again online or by phone a few days after you complete the required step. If the status still shows suspended, contact the agency again and confirm they sent the notification to the DMV. Sometimes notifications are delayed or lost in the system.
What you cannot do while your license is suspended
A suspended license means you do not have legal permission to drive in Colorado or any other state. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Colorado, and the penalties increase with each violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor, a second offense within five years is also a misdemeanor but with higher fines and possible jail time, and a third offense within five years is a felony.
Beyond the legal consequences, driving on a suspended license affects your insurance and your driving record. If you are in an accident while driving with a suspended license, your insurance company may refuse to cover the damage. The accident will also be recorded on your driving record, which can raise your insurance rates for years.
You also cannot renew your license, obtain a commercial driver's license, or get a learner's permit while your license is suspended. If your suspension expires before your license renewal date, you will still need to renew your license at the DMV before you can drive again.
Reinstating your license after a long suspension
Some suspensions last longer than others. A suspension for unpaid fines may last only as long as it takes you to pay. A suspension for multiple driving violations or for driving with a suspended license may last six months, one year, or longer. Once the suspension period ends and you have resolved the underlying issue, you may need to take additional steps to reinstate your license.
For many suspensions, the DMV automatically reinstates your license once the suspension period expires and the issuing agency confirms the issue is resolved. However, for some suspensions — particularly those related to serious violations or multiple offenses — you may need to request reinstatement in writing or appear at a DMV office.
If your suspension has been in place for a long time, contact the DMV directly to ask what you need to do to reinstate your license. Bring any documentation showing that you have resolved the underlying issue, such as a receipt showing payment of fines or a letter from the child support office confirming your payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No. A suspended license means you cannot legally drive anywhere in Colorado, including to work, school, or medical appointments. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense. Some states offer "work permits" that allow limited driving, but Colorado does not have this option for most suspensions.
Will my suspension show up if I get pulled over?
Yes. Police officers can see your suspension status when ready when they run your license through their system. If you are pulled over while your license is suspended, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license, which is separate from the original reason for the suspension.
What if I moved out of Colorado — is my suspension still active?
Yes. Colorado suspensions are recognized by other states through the Interstate Compact on Driver's License Compact, a system that shares suspension information between states. If you move and try to get a license in another state, that state will see your Colorado suspension and will not issue you a new license until the suspension is lifted.
Can I get a temporary license while my suspension is being resolved?
No. Colorado does not issue temporary or restricted licenses during a suspension period. You must wait until the suspension is lifted to drive legally. The only exception is if you are in the process of resolving the issue and the agency has agreed to notify the DMV — in that case, your license may be restored within a few days.
What if I think my license was suspended by mistake?
Contact the DMV directly and explain the situation. The DMV can tell you which agency requested the suspension. If you believe the suspension was issued in error, contact that agency — usually a court or the Department of Human Services — and ask them to review your case. Bring any documentation that supports your claim, such as proof of payment or correspondence showing the issue was resolved.