What a suspended license means in Colorado
A suspended license in Colorado means the state has temporarily taken away your right to drive. You cannot legally operate a vehicle on public roads during the suspension period. The suspension is not permanent — it has a set end date — but driving during suspension carries serious penalties, including fines, jail time, and an even longer suspension.
Colorado suspends licenses for many reasons: unpaid traffic tickets or fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, failing to pay child support, or not carrying insurance. The length of the suspension depends on why it happened and whether this is your first suspension.
The Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles suspensions. They will mail you a notice explaining why your license was suspended, when it ends, and what you must do to get it back.
Key Takeaways
- Driving with a suspended license in Colorado is a criminal offense that can result in fines up to $1,000, jail time, and an extended suspension.
- The DMV will send you a written notice explaining the reason for suspension, the suspension period, and the steps required to reinstate your license.
- Most suspensions end automatically on a specific date, but you may need to pay fines, complete a course, or meet other requirements before you can drive again.
- If you need to drive during suspension for work or medical reasons, you can request a probationary license through the DMV, though approval is not may provide.
Common reasons Colorado suspends a license
Traffic violations that add up quickly can lead to suspension. Colorado uses a point system: each traffic violation adds points to your record. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, your license is suspended for at least three months. Serious violations like reckless driving or speeding more than 25 miles per hour over the limit add more points and can trigger suspension faster.
DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) convictions result in automatic suspension. A first DUI suspension lasts at least one year. If you refuse a breath or blood test after a DUI stop, your license is suspended for at least one year on that refusal alone, separate from any criminal case outcome.
Unpaid traffic fines, child support obligations, and failure to maintain car insurance can also trigger suspension. If you do not pay a traffic ticket or fine by the important date, the court reports this to the DMV, which suspends your license until you pay. The same happens if you fall behind on child support or let your insurance lapse.
Penalties for driving on a suspended license
Driving while your license is suspended is a separate criminal offense in Colorado, distinct from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. A first offense is a Class 2 misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 120 days in jail. You will also face an additional license suspension of at least six months on top of your existing suspension.
A second or subsequent offense within seven years is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with fines of $500 to $5,000 and up to two years in jail. Your license suspension will be extended further. If you cause an accident or injure someone while driving suspended, the charges and penalties are much more severe.
Police can stop you for any traffic violation and will discover your suspended status through their computer system. Even a broken taillight can lead to an arrest if your license is suspended.
How to learn about your license is suspended
The DMV mails a suspension notice to the address on file with your license. If you have moved recently and did not update your address, the notice may not reach you — but the suspension is still in effect. You are responsible for knowing your license status.
You can check your license status online through the Colorado DMV website. Go to the DMV's online services portal and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked, and if suspended, when it will end.
You can also call the DMV at 303-205-5600 or visit a local DMV office in person. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. If you cannot find your license number, bring your Social Security number instead.
Steps to reinstate your license after suspension ends
When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically become valid again. You must take action to reinstate it. The specific steps depend on why your license was suspended.
If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or child support, you must pay what you owe before reinstatement. Contact the court that issued the fine or the child support enforcement agency to confirm the amount and make payment. Once paid, notify the DMV or wait for the court to report the payment to the DMV.
If your suspension was due to a DUI or DWAI, you must complete a substance abuse course before reinstatement. The DMV will provide a list of approved providers. You pay for the course yourself — costs vary by provider but typically range from $300 to $1,000. After you complete the course, the provider sends proof to the DMV.
If your suspension was due to accumulating too many points, you may need to pass a written test on Colorado traffic laws before reinstatement. You can study using the Colorado Driver Handbook, available free on the DMV website.
Once you have met all requirements, submit a reinstatement request to the DMV. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. There is a reinstatement fee of $95. Processing usually takes one to two weeks.
Requesting a probationary license during suspension
If you need to drive for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons during your suspension, you can request a probationary license (also called a restricted license) from the DMV. This is not automatic — the DMV must approve your request, and approval depends on the reason for suspension and your circumstances.
Probationary licenses are most commonly granted for suspensions due to unpaid fines or accumulated points. They are rarely granted for DUI or DWAI suspensions. You must show that you have a genuine need to drive and that no reasonable alternative exists.
To request a probationary license, contact your local DMV office or read the process from the DMV website. You will need to explain your situation in writing and may be asked to provide supporting documents, such as a letter from your employer or proof of a medical appointment. The DMV will notify you of approval or denial within two weeks.
If approved, a probationary license may restrict where and when you can drive — for example, only to and from work, or only during daylight hours. Violating the restrictions is a separate offense.
What to do if you received a suspension notice you believe is wrong
If you received a suspension notice but believe it was issued in error, you have the right to request a hearing. You must request the hearing within a certain timeframe — usually 10 days from the date of the notice, though this varies depending on the type of suspension.
Contact the DMV when ready and ask for a hearing. Explain why you believe the suspension is wrong. For example, if you were suspended for unpaid fines but you paid them, bring proof of payment. If you were suspended for a DUI refusal but you did not refuse, bring any evidence supporting your account.
At the hearing, you will present your case to a DMV official or a hearing officer. You can bring witnesses or documents. If the hearing officer agrees with you, the suspension will be lifted. If they do not, the suspension remains in effect, but you will have a record of your appeal, which may be useful if you need to challenge the suspension later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the DMV to reinstate my license?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal, even to conduct DMV business. Have someone else drive you, use public transportation, or handle reinstatement by mail or online if possible. Some DMV services can be completed without visiting an office in person.
Will a suspended license show up on a background check?
Yes. A suspended license is a matter of public record and will appear on background checks conducted by employers, landlords, and others. A criminal conviction for driving on a suspended license will also show up and can affect employment and housing decisions.
What happens if I move out of Colorado while my license is suspended?
Your Colorado suspension remains in effect. If you move to another state, that state's DMV will see the suspension when you try to obtain a new license there. Most states will not issue a license until you clear the suspension in Colorado. You will need to complete reinstatement requirements in Colorado even if you no longer live there.
Can I get my license back early if I pay extra money?
No. The suspension period is set by law and cannot be shortened by paying money. You can only shorten the suspension by meeting the specific requirements for your type of suspension — such as completing a substance abuse course for a DUI suspension — and then waiting for the suspension period to end.
What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
A suspension is temporary and has a set end date. A revocation is permanent or long-term and typically requires you to reapply for a license after a waiting period, often one to five years. Revocations are usually issued for serious offenses like multiple DUIs or causing injury while driving suspended.