You can find your current points by logging into the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, calling their customer service line, or visiting a local DMV office in person.

Colorado tracks points on your driver's license based on traffic violations you receive. Each type of violation carries a set number of points — a speeding ticket might be 4 points, while a reckless driving conviction could be 12. The state uses these points to identify drivers who are unsafe, and accumulating too many can result in license suspension.

At 21, you're subject to the same point system as any other driver, though Colorado has different rules for drivers under 21 (those rules are stricter). Your points stay on your record for a set time depending on the violation type, and you can watch them drop off as years pass.

Key Takeaways

  • The Colorado DMV online portal lets you check your points when ready using your driver's license number and date of birth.
  • Points remain on your record for different lengths of time — typically three to seven years — depending on what violation caused them.
  • Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period triggers a mandatory license suspension in Colorado.
  • You can request a hearing to contest points if you believe a violation was recorded in error.

How to Check Your Points Online

The fastest way to see your current points is through the Colorado DMV's online driver record portal. Go to the DMV website, select "Check Your Driving Record," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show you every violation on your record, the points assigned to each one, and the date each violation will drop off.

This online record is the same one insurance companies and employers see when they request your driving history, so it's worth checking regularly. The information updates within a few days of a conviction being recorded in court, though there can sometimes be a lag of one to two weeks.

What Points Mean and How They Add Up

Colorado assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A minor speeding ticket (1 to 5 mph over the limit) is typically 1 point, while speeding 25 mph or more over the limit is 8 points. Reckless driving is 12 points, and driving under the influence (DUI) is 12 points. Running a red light is usually 4 points.

The state counts points within a rolling 12-month period. If you accumulate 12 or more points in any 12-month span, your license will be suspended. This doesn't mean you lose your license forever — it means you'll have to stop driving for a set period (usually 30 days for a first suspension) and then complete a driver improvement course before you can get back on the road.

How Long Points Stay on Your Record

Points don't stay on your record forever. Most traffic violations drop off after three years, though some serious violations like DUI or reckless driving remain for seven years. Once a violation falls off, the points no longer count toward your 12-point threshold.

This means if you got a ticket two years ago and haven't had any violations since, that ticket will disappear from your point total in about a year. If you're close to suspension, knowing when your oldest violations will drop off can help you understand your timeline.

What Happens If You Reach 12 Points

When you hit 12 points in a 12-month period, the Colorado DMV will send you a notice of suspension. Your license suspension typically lasts 30 days for a first offense. During that time, you cannot legally drive — not even to work or for emergencies.

After the suspension period ends, you'll need to complete a driver improvement course (also called a traffic safety course) before you can reinstate your license. You'll also pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV. If you accumulate 12 points again within five years of your first suspension, the second suspension is usually 60 days, and a third suspension within five years is 90 days.

Contesting Points or Violations

If you believe a violation was recorded in error — for example, if the court entered the wrong conviction or the violation shouldn't have been assigned to you — you can request a hearing. Contact the Colorado DMV's Driver's License Section and explain the error. You'll need to provide documentation, such as a court record showing the violation was dismissed or reduced.

If you received a ticket but had it dismissed or reduced in court, make sure the court sent the updated information to the DMV. Sometimes the original violation is recorded but the dismissal isn't, leaving points on your record that shouldn't be there. Checking your record regularly helps you catch these errors early.

How to Lower Your Points

Once points are on your record, the only way to remove them before they naturally drop off is to complete a defensive driving course. Colorado allows you to take a court-approved traffic safety course once every 12 months, and doing so removes up to 4 points from your record. This won't erase violations, but it reduces your point total.

Taking a course is most useful if you're approaching the 12-point threshold and want to avoid suspension. Some insurance companies also offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving course, so it can save you money in more than one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's driving record?

No — Colorado's DMV portal only allows you to view your own record. If you need someone else's record (for employment or insurance purposes), that person must request it themselves or sign a release form authorizing you to get it.

Do points from other states show up on my Colorado license?

Yes. Colorado is part of the Interstate Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to Colorado and added to your record. Points from out-of-state violations count toward your 12-point suspension threshold.

What if I got a ticket but haven't gone to court yet?

Points only appear on your record after you've been convicted or pleaded guilty in court. If you're still waiting for your court date, the violation won't show up in your DMV record yet. Once the court enters a conviction, the DMV will receive it within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Does paying a ticket automatically add points?

Paying a ticket is usually the same as pleading guilty, which means the violation will be recorded and points will be added. If you want to avoid points, you'd need to contest the ticket in court or negotiate a reduction with the prosecutor before paying.