Driving with a suspended license in Colorado is a criminal offense that carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension
If your Colorado driver's license is suspended and you drive anyway, you are committing a crime. The penalties depend on how many times you have done it before and why your license was suspended in the first place. A first offense can result in up to 10 days in jail, a fine between $100 and $500, and an additional license suspension. A second or subsequent offense within five years carries up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $1,000, plus another suspension period added to what you already owe.
The state does not distinguish between "just running to the store" and a long drive — any operation of a vehicle while suspended is illegal. Police can pull you over for any traffic violation and discover the suspension through their records. Even if you are not stopped, insurance companies will not cover accidents or damage if you were driving suspended, leaving you personally liable for all costs.
Key Takeaways
- Driving on a suspended license in Colorado is a misdemeanor with penalties including jail time, fines up to $500 on a first offense, and additional license suspension.
- Your insurance will not cover accidents or damage if you were driving suspended, making you personally responsible for all costs.
- A second or subsequent offense within five years increases jail time to 30 days and fines to $1,000.
- You can request a limited license from the Colorado Department of Revenue to drive for work, school, or medical appointments during a suspension.
- The suspension period is extended each time you are caught driving suspended, making the original problem worse.
Why your license gets suspended in Colorado
Colorado suspends licenses for several reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or not maintaining auto insurance. Some suspensions are mandatory — for example, a DUI conviction automatically triggers a suspension. Others happen because you did not respond to a court notice or did not pay a fine by the important date.
You should receive notice of a suspension by mail at the address on file with the Department of Revenue. If you move and do not update your address, you may not know your license is suspended until you are pulled over. Checking your driving record online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website is the fastest way to confirm whether your license is currently suspended and why.
What happens if you are stopped while suspended
When a police officer runs your license during a traffic stop, the suspension shows up when ready in their system. You will be cited for driving with a suspended license. The officer may impound your vehicle, depending on the circumstances and local policy. You will be given a court date and a citation number.
At court, you have the option to plead guilty, plead not guilty, or negotiate with the prosecutor. Pleading guilty means accepting the penalties listed above. Pleading not guilty means the case goes to trial, where the state must prove you knew your license was suspended. Many people choose to negotiate a plea agreement, which may result in reduced charges or fines in exchange for a guilty plea. You have the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford one, you can request a public defender at your first court appearance.
How to get a limited license during suspension
Colorado allows you to request a limited license from the Department of Revenue while your license is suspended. A limited license lets you drive to and from work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — but nowhere else. You cannot use it for personal errands, socializing, or any other purpose.
To request a limited license, you must contact the Department of Revenue's Driver's License Services section. You will need to show proof of the reason you need to drive — such as a work schedule, school enrollment, or a medical appointment letter. There is a fee, typically around $20 to $30, though the exact amount varies. The request is not automatic; the Department of Revenue reviews your case and decides whether to grant it based on your suspension reason and driving history.
A limited license does not erase your suspension — it only allows driving for specific purposes. If you are caught driving outside those purposes, you face the same criminal charges as driving fully suspended. The limited license is also temporary and expires when your full suspension ends.
Steps to resolve a suspension before driving again
The safest path is to resolve the suspension before you drive. The steps depend on why your license was suspended.
- Find out why your license is suspended. Check your driving record online through the Colorado Department of Revenue or call their Driver's License Services line. Write down the reason and any case or ticket numbers.
- Pay any outstanding fines or fees. If the suspension is due to unpaid traffic tickets or court fines, contact the court listed on your citation and pay in full. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number.
- Handle child support or other court obligations. If the suspension is due to unpaid child support or other court orders, contact the agency or court involved and arrange payment or a payment plan.
- Complete required programs. If your suspension is due to a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse education program or treatment before the suspension lifts. The court will tell you which program is required.
- Provide proof of insurance. If the suspension is due to driving without insurance, you must obtain a policy and provide proof to the Department of Revenue.
- Request reinstatement. Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact the Department of Revenue to request that your license be reinstated. Some reinstatements are automatic once fines are paid; others require a formal request and may take several weeks to process.
The cost of driving suspended versus resolving it
Resolving a suspension upfront costs money — fines, fees, insurance, or program costs. But driving suspended costs far more. A criminal conviction stays on your record and affects employment, housing, and insurance rates for years. A second offense within five years doubles the jail time and fines. Each time you are caught, the suspension period is extended, meaning you cannot drive legally for even longer.
If you cause an accident while driving suspended, you are personally liable for all damages because your insurance will not pay. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, and liability claims can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. A criminal record also makes it harder to find work, especially jobs that require driving or a clean background check.
What to do if you cannot afford to resolve the suspension
If fines or fees are keeping you from resolving your suspension, you have options. Many Colorado courts allow you to request a payment plan, where you pay the fine in installments over several months instead of all at once. You can also request a hearing to ask the court to reduce the fine based on financial hardship.
For DUI-related suspensions, some counties offer low-cost or sliding-scale substance abuse education programs. Contact the court or the program provider directly to ask about reduced fees. Legal aid organizations in Colorado may also help if you cannot afford an attorney for a driving-suspended charge.
The key is to contact the court or agency involved and explain your situation. Ignoring the problem and driving anyway guarantees criminal charges and a worse financial outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if my job requires driving?
Yes. Colorado's limited license allows you to drive to and from work if you can show proof of employment. You must request it from the Department of Revenue and pay a fee. It does not let you drive for personal reasons, only for the specific purposes listed on the license.
What if I did not know my license was suspended?
Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense in Colorado. The state assumes you received the suspension notice by mail. If you moved and did not update your address with the Department of Revenue, that is your responsibility. You can still plead not guilty and go to trial, but the prosecution only needs to prove you were driving; they do not need to prove you knew about the suspension.
Does a suspended license suspension go away after a certain time?
It depends on the reason for suspension. Some suspensions are for a fixed period — for example, a DUI suspension might last one year. Others, like suspensions for unpaid fines, remain until you pay. Check your driving record or contact the Department of Revenue to find out when your specific suspension ends.
Will a driving-suspended conviction affect my car insurance?
Yes. A criminal conviction for driving suspended will raise your insurance rates significantly or cause your insurer to drop you entirely. You may have to use high-risk insurance, which costs much more. This penalty can last for years even after your suspension is resolved.
What if I was driving someone else's car?
It does not matter whose car you were driving. If your license is suspended, you cannot legally operate any vehicle. You will be charged with driving suspended regardless of vehicle ownership.