The when ready consequences of driving on a suspended license in Colorado
If you are stopped while driving on a suspended license in Colorado, the officer will likely issue you a citation for driving with a suspended or revoked license. This is a separate charge from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. You will be required to appear in court, and the officer may impound your vehicle on the spot, depending on the reason for your suspension and whether it is your first offense.
Colorado law treats driving on a suspended license as a traffic offense, but the severity depends on why your license was suspended. If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or failure to appear in court, the consequences are less severe than if it was suspended for a DUI conviction or reckless driving. The court will consider your driving history and the specific reason for the suspension when deciding on penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Driving on a suspended license in Colorado results in a separate criminal or traffic charge, even if you did not know your license was suspended.
- Your vehicle may be impounded when ready, and you will need to pay towing and storage fees to retrieve it.
- Penalties range from fines of $100 to $300 for a first offense to jail time and higher fines for repeat offenses or suspensions related to DUI.
- You can request a hearing to challenge the suspension itself, but you must do so within a specific timeframe after receiving notice.
- Reinstating your license requires you to resolve the underlying reason for the suspension — paying fines, completing a DUI program, or satisfying child support obligations.
Why your license gets suspended in Colorado
Colorado suspends licenses for several reasons, and understanding which one applies to you matters because it determines how you get your license back. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, accumulation of too many points on your driving record, and DUI or reckless driving convictions.
The Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles suspensions related to traffic violations and points. The Colorado Department of Human Services handles suspensions related to child support. If you were convicted of DUI, your license is suspended automatically, and you may be required to install an ignition interlock device before you can drive again. Each type of suspension has different reinstatement requirements, so you need to know which agency suspended your license before you can fix the problem.
Penalties for driving on a suspended license
A first offense of driving with a suspended license in Colorado is typically a Class B traffic misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $100 to $300 and up to 10 days in jail. If your suspension was for a DUI-related reason, the penalties are harsher — you may face a Class 4 felony charge, which carries a fine of $2,000 to $500,000 and up to 6 years in prison, depending on your prior record.
A second offense within seven years is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $300 to $800 and up to 12 months in jail. If you have three or more offenses within seven years, you face a Class 4 felony charge. Additionally, your vehicle will likely be impounded, and you will owe towing and storage fees — typically $150 to $300 for towing and $25 to $50 per day for storage.
The court may also order you to complete a driver improvement course, extend your suspension period, or require you to install an ignition interlock device. These additional penalties are separate from fines and jail time.
What happens to your vehicle
When you are stopped for driving on a suspended license, the officer has the authority to impound your vehicle. The impound is not automatic in every case — it depends on the reason for your suspension and whether you have prior offenses — but it is common enough that you should expect it. Once your vehicle is impounded, you cannot straightforward pick it up; you must pay the towing fee (typically $150 to $300) and daily storage fees (typically $25 to $50 per day) before the impound lot will release it.
If your vehicle is impounded, you have the right to request a hearing to challenge the impound within a certain timeframe. However, storage fees continue to accrue while you wait for the hearing, so the longer you delay, the more you will owe. Some impound lots will work with you on a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount upfront, but this varies by facility.
How to get your license reinstated
Reinstatement depends entirely on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay the fines in full or set up a payment plan with the court. If it was suspended for failure to appear in court, you must appear in court and resolve the underlying case. If it was suspended for child support arrears, you must bring your child support account current or arrange a payment plan with the Colorado Department of Human Services.
If your suspension was for accumulating too many points, you must wait out the suspension period (which varies based on the number of points) and then pay a reinstatement fee to the Colorado DMV. The fee is typically $95, but it may be higher if you have multiple suspensions. If your suspension was for a DUI conviction, you must complete a DUI education program (usually 12 hours minimum), pay the reinstatement fee, and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle before you can drive again.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact the Colorado DMV to confirm your license is reinstated. You can check your license status online through the Colorado DMV website or by calling their customer service line. Do not assume your license is automatically reinstated once you pay a fine or complete a program — you must verify it with the DMV before driving.
Your options if you were stopped
If you have already been cited for driving on a suspended license, you have several options. First, you can appear in court on your assigned date and plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead guilty or no contest, the judge will impose penalties. If you plead not guilty, you can request a trial and present evidence that your license was not actually suspended or that you were not the driver.
Second, you can request a continuance to give yourself time to resolve the underlying suspension issue before your court date. If you can show the court that you have paid outstanding fines, completed a required program, or satisfied child support obligations, the judge may reduce or dismiss the charge. This is not may provide, but it demonstrates good faith effort to comply with the law.
Third, you can hire a criminal defense attorney to represent you. An attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor, challenge the traffic stop itself, or argue for reduced penalties based on your circumstances. Public defenders are available if you cannot afford an attorney; you can request one at your first court appearance.
How to avoid driving on a suspended license
The simplest way to avoid this situation is to stay aware of your license status. Check the Colorado DMV website regularly, especially if you have received traffic citations or have unpaid fines. If you receive a notice of suspension, take it seriously — do not ignore it hoping it will go away. The suspension will remain in effect until you resolve the underlying issue.
If you know your license is suspended but you need to drive for work or essential purposes, you may be able to request a work permit or conditional license from the court. These are not automatic, and the court will only grant them in limited circumstances, but it is worth asking if you have a legitimate need. Some suspensions, particularly those related to child support or unpaid fines, may allow for a work permit if you can demonstrate financial hardship.
If you cannot drive legally, use alternative transportation — public transit, rideshare services, carpooling with someone who has a valid license, or taxis. The cost of these alternatives is almost always less than the fines, impound fees, and legal costs you will face if you are caught driving on a suspended license.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I did not know my license was suspended?
Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense in Colorado. The state assumes you are responsible for knowing your license status. However, if you can show that you never received the suspension notice and made a reasonable effort to keep your license valid, you may have grounds to challenge the charge. Bring any evidence that you did not receive notice to your court hearing.
Can I get a work permit while my license is suspended?
It depends on the reason for your suspension and your circumstances. Some courts will issue a conditional or work permit if you can demonstrate that you need to drive for employment and that you have no other transportation options. You must request this from the court that issued the suspension, not from the DMV. There is typically a fee, and approval is not may provide.
How long does a suspension last?
The length varies. Suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear last until you resolve the issue. Suspensions for accumulating points typically last 30 days to one year, depending on how many points you have. DUI-related suspensions last at least one year for a first offense and longer for repeat offenses. Check your suspension notice or contact the Colorado DMV to find out the specific duration for your suspension.
Will this show up on my criminal record?
Driving on a suspended license is a traffic misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances, so yes, it will appear on your criminal record if you are convicted. This can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. If you are convicted, you may be able to petition for a record seal after a certain amount of time has passed, but this requires a separate legal process.
What if the officer made a mistake and my license was not actually suspended?
If your license was valid at the time you were stopped, you can challenge the citation in court. Bring your license or a printout from the Colorado DMV website showing your license was valid on the date of the stop. The burden is on the prosecution to prove your license was suspended, so if you have documentation that it was not, the charge should be dismissed.