What Colorado Points Are and How They Affect Your License

Colorado tracks violations on your driving record using a points system. When you receive a traffic ticket, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) assigns points to your record based on the type of violation. Points stay on your record for a set time, and accumulating too many points in that window can result in license suspension or revocation.

The system exists to identify and discourage dangerous driving patterns. A single speeding ticket won't end your driving privileges, but multiple violations within a few years will. Colorado's threshold is 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months — whichever limit you hit first triggers a suspension.

Points are not the same as fines. You can pay a ticket and still have points added to your record. Understanding how many points a specific violation carries, and how long they remain on your record, helps you understand the real cost of a ticket beyond the dollar amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado assigns points to traffic violations, and accumulating 12 points in 12 months, 18 in 24 months, or 24 in 36 months triggers a license suspension.
  • Most violations carry between 1 and 12 points, with serious offenses like DUI or reckless driving at the high end.
  • Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, though the suspension threshold resets based on a rolling window.
  • You can request a driving record from CDOT to see exactly which violations are on your record and how many points each carries.
  • Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, but only for certain violations and only once every 12 months.

Common Violations and Their Point Values

Colorado assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. Speeding carries 1 to 8 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Going 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit is 1 point; 26 miles per hour or more over the limit is 8 points. Reckless driving, which involves operating a vehicle in a way that shows willful or wanton disregard for safety, carries 8 points.

Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI) carries 12 points — the maximum single violation. Hit-and-run, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and careless driving each carry different point values. Careless driving, which is less severe than reckless driving, typically carries 4 points.

Minor violations like an expired registration or failure to yield carry 1 to 3 points. The exact point value depends on the specific statute cited on your ticket. If you receive a ticket and are unsure how many points it carries, you can ask the officer or contact the court that issued the ticket.

How Long Points Stay on Your Record

All points remain on your Colorado driving record for three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the ticket or went to court. This means a violation from January 2022 will drop off your record in January 2025, regardless of when you resolved the ticket.

However, the suspension thresholds use a rolling window. If you accumulate 12 points between January 2023 and January 2024, you face suspension. If one of those violations drops off in January 2024, your total may fall below 12, and the suspension may not occur — but CDOT will still track the remaining points for the full three-year period from each violation date.

You can check your current driving record through CDOT's online system or by requesting a copy by mail. The record will show each violation, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and the date it will be removed.

License Suspension and What Happens Next

When you hit one of Colorado's point thresholds, CDOT will mail you a notice of suspension. The suspension typically begins 20 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is in error. The suspension period varies: a first suspension is usually 30 days, a second is 90 days, and a third or subsequent suspension is one year.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including fines and potential jail time. If you are stopped while suspended, your vehicle may be impounded.

After the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to CDOT before your license is restored. The fee is currently $100, though this amount can change. You do not need to retake the written or driving test unless your license was revoked (a more severe penalty than suspension) or has been expired for more than one year.

Defensive Driving Courses and Point Reduction

Colorado allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. The reduction is typically 3 points, and you can use this option once every 12 months. However, not all violations may have access to — serious offenses like DUI, DWAI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license cannot be reduced through a course.

To use this option, you must take the course before your case is resolved in court. Some courts allow you to take the course in place of paying a fine for minor violations; others require you to complete the course and still pay the fine. Check with the court that issued your ticket to learn whether a defensive driving course is an option in your case.

Approved courses are offered online and in person throughout Colorado. They typically take four to eight hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50. CDOT maintains a list of approved providers on its website.

Requesting a Hearing or Contesting Points

If you believe points were added to your record in error, or if you want to contest the suspension, you can request a hearing with CDOT. You have 20 days from the date the suspension notice is mailed to request a hearing. The hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge and focuses on whether the points were correctly assigned based on your driving record.

A hearing does not reopen the traffic case itself — it only addresses whether the points and suspension were handled correctly. If you want to contest the original ticket, you must do that through the traffic court that issued it, not through CDOT.

To request a hearing, contact the CDOT Driver's License Section in writing or by phone. The address and phone number are on the suspension notice. You can represent yourself or bring an attorney.

Checking Your Driving Record and Understanding It

You can view your Colorado driving record online through CDOT's website using your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also request a copy by mail or in person at a CDOT office. The online version is when ready and free; a mailed copy costs a small fee.

Your record will show each violation, the date it occurred, the court or agency that handled it, the points assigned, and the date the violation will be removed. It will also show any suspensions, revocations, or reinstatements. If you see an error — a violation you do not recognize, incorrect points, or a violation that should have been removed — contact CDOT to dispute it.

Keep in mind that your driving record is separate from your insurance record. Insurance companies may see your violations and adjust your rates, even if you have not yet accumulated enough points for a suspension. Some violations, like DUI, can affect your insurance for years.

Scam Alert: Fake Point Removal Services

Be cautious of websites or services that claim they can remove points from your record or may provide a license reinstatement. These services often charge high fees and make promises they cannot keep. Points cannot be removed from your record before the three-year period ends, except through a defensive driving course (which reduces, not removes, points) or by successfully contesting the original ticket in court.

If you need help understanding your record or requesting a hearing, contact CDOT directly or speak with a traffic attorney. Do not pay a third party to do something you can do yourself for free or for a small official fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record early?

No, points remain on your record for three years from the violation date. A defensive driving course can reduce 3 points once every 12 months, but only for certain violations. The only other way to remove points is to successfully contest the original ticket in traffic court before it is finalized.

What happens if I get a ticket in another state?

Colorado and most other states share driving record information through the National Driver Register. A violation in another state will typically appear on your Colorado record and count toward your point total. The points assigned may differ from Colorado's system, depending on the other state's laws.

Does paying a ticket mean I accept the points?

Paying a ticket is usually treated as a guilty plea, which means the points will be added to your record. If you want to contest the ticket or negotiate a reduction, you should go to court or contact the court before paying. Some courts offer traffic school or point reduction programs as alternatives to paying the full fine.

How do I know if my license will be suspended?

Check your driving record online through CDOT's website. If your current points are at or above 12 (in 12 months), 18 (in 24 months), or 24 (in 36 months), a suspension notice will be mailed to you. You will receive the notice before the suspension takes effect, giving you time to request a hearing if needed.

Can I drive to work during a suspension?

No. A license suspension in Colorado is a complete prohibition on driving. There is no "work-only" or "hardship" license available during a suspension. If you need to drive during a suspension, you must request a hearing and ask the administrative law judge for a stay of the suspension, which is rarely granted.