Colorado suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a 12-month period, or 18 points within a 24-month period

Colorado tracks driving violations using a point system. Each violation you receive adds points to your driving record. When you hit 12 points in any 12-month window, the Colorado Department of Revenue automatically suspends your license. If you accumulate 18 points over 24 months, that also triggers suspension. The suspension is not optional — it happens by law once you cross the threshold.

The point values vary depending on what violation you received. A speeding ticket might be 1 point, while reckless driving could be 8 points. More serious violations like DUI or driving with a suspended license add the most points and often come with their own separate suspension periods on top of the point-system suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you reach 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months — you do not have to wait for a hearing or notice.
  • Different violations carry different point values, from 1 point for minor speeding to 8 points for reckless driving or 12 points for DUI.
  • Points stay on your record for 24 months from the date of the violation, then drop off automatically.
  • You can request a hearing before suspension takes effect if you act quickly after receiving your notice.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can remove up to 3 points from your record once every 12 months.

How points are assigned to different violations

Colorado assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 5 miles over the limit are worth 1 point. Speeding 6 to 25 miles over the limit is 4 points. Speeding more than 25 miles over the limit jumps to 8 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points. Improper lane change or failure to yield is 4 points.

More serious violations carry higher point values. Reckless driving is 8 points. Careless driving is 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 12 points. DUI (driving under the influence) is 12 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 12 points. Vehicular assault or vehicular homicide carry the highest penalties but are criminal charges, not just point violations.

If you received a ticket and are unsure how many points it carries, you can check your driving record through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website or contact them directly. You can also ask the officer who issued the ticket or the court that handled your case.

When the suspension notice arrives and what it means

The Colorado Department of Revenue sends you a suspension notice by mail once you cross the 12-point or 18-point threshold. The notice tells you the suspension date, which is usually 10 days after the notice is mailed. This gives you a window to request a hearing if you want to challenge the suspension.

The notice also explains your right to a hearing. You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the notice. If you do not request a hearing, the suspension takes effect on the date listed, and you cannot drive legally in Colorado or most other states.

A suspension is different from a revocation. A suspension is temporary — you can regain your license after the suspension period ends and you meet any other requirements. A revocation is more serious and typically requires you to reapply for a license after a waiting period.

How long your license stays suspended

The length of your suspension depends on whether it is your first suspension and how many points you had when you crossed the threshold. A first suspension for reaching 12 points is typically 8 months. If you reach 12 points again within 5 years, the second suspension is usually 12 months. A third suspension within 5 years can be 24 months or longer.

If you reached 18 points within 24 months instead of 12 points within 12 months, your suspension period may be longer. The exact length depends on your specific record and prior suspensions.

During the suspension, you cannot drive at all — not for work, not for emergencies, not for medical appointments. Some states offer hardship licenses that allow limited driving, but Colorado's rules on hardship licenses are strict and require showing that the suspension causes extreme hardship. You would need to request this through the Department of Revenue.

How to reduce points on your record

Colorado allows you to remove up to 3 points from your driving record by completing a defensive driving course. You can do this once every 12 months. The course must be approved by the Colorado Department of Revenue — not all driving courses count. You typically take the course online or in person, pay a fee (usually $20 to $50), and submit proof of completion to the Department of Revenue.

Completing a defensive driving course does not erase violations from your record or remove points that have already caused a suspension. It only prevents future points from accumulating as quickly. If you are close to the 12-point threshold, taking the course before you receive another ticket can help you avoid suspension.

Points also drop off your record automatically after 24 months from the date of the violation. This means a violation from January 2023 stops counting toward your point total in January 2025. However, the violation itself stays on your record longer — it just stops adding to your point total.

What happens if you drive while suspended

Driving with a suspended license in Colorado is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor and can result in fines up to $300, jail time up to 10 days, or both. A second offense within 5 years increases the penalties. A third or subsequent offense can result in felony charges.

If you are stopped while driving on a suspended license, police will likely impound your vehicle. You will also face additional points on your record — 12 points for driving with a suspended license — which makes it even harder to regain your license and can trigger additional suspensions.

If you need to drive during your suspension for work or medical reasons, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue about a hardship license. The process requires documentation of the hardship and is not granted automatically, but it is the legal way to drive during a suspension.

How to request a hearing before suspension takes effect

When you receive your suspension notice, you have 10 days to request a hearing. Send a written request to the Colorado Department of Revenue at the address listed on the notice. Include your name, driver's license number, and the reason you believe the suspension should not take effect.

At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points were assessed incorrectly or that there are other circumstances the Department of Revenue should consider. However, the hearing officer cannot straightforward ignore the point total — if you genuinely have 12 or more points, the suspension will likely proceed. The hearing is your chance to correct errors in how the points were counted or to explain your situation.

If you miss the 10-day important date, you can still request a hearing after the suspension takes effect, but the suspension will remain in place while your request is being reviewed. Acting quickly is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Colorado suspension?

Yes. Colorado counts violations from other states toward your point total through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you received a ticket in another state, it will appear on your Colorado driving record and add to your point total. Some violations may transfer with different point values depending on Colorado law.

Can I get my license back early if I complete a defensive driving course?

No. Completing a defensive driving course removes up to 3 points from your record, but it does not shorten a suspension that has already taken effect. The course only prevents future points from accumulating. Once your suspension period ends, you can reapply for your license.

What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?

You are responsible for the ticket regardless of who was driving. The ticket was issued to your vehicle, and points go on your license. If someone else was driving, you may have legal options, but you would need to handle that through the court that issued the ticket, not through the Department of Revenue.

How do I check my current point total?

You can view your driving record through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website or by visiting a local driver's license office in person. You can also request a copy of your record by mail. There is usually a small fee for this service.

Does a DUI suspension happen separately from the point system suspension?

Yes. A DUI conviction triggers an automatic license suspension that is separate from the point-system suspension. The DUI suspension typically lasts longer and has different rules for reinstatement. You could face both suspensions at the same time.