There is no way to remove DMV points from your Colorado driver’s license. However, DMV points stop having any effect after 24 months. Therefore, the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles does not look back further than 24 months when determining whether to suspend driving privileges based on DMV points.
One thing I regularly tell clients is that the biggest mistake is assuming every ticket should simply be paid. Paying a ticket is usually the same as pleading guilty, which can result in DMV points that cannot easily be undone later. In many cases, it is worth exploring whether the charge can be reduced before those points are ever assessed.
How Many Points Trigger a License Suspension
Your age and whether you are a professional driver determine when the Colorado DMV will revoke your license, as this chart shows.
| Driver in Colorado | DMV Points that Trigger License Revocation |
| 21 years old and older |
|
| 18 years old to 20 years old |
|
| Under 18 years old |
|
| Chauffeurs, such as taxi drivers (the traffic violation must occur during the course of employment) |
|
I have found that many drivers are surprised by how quickly multiple relatively minor tickets can add up. Someone who receives several speeding or careless driving citations over a year may suddenly find themselves facing a suspension even though none of the individual tickets seemed particularly serious.
See our related article, How many points on a Colorado license trigger a license suspension?
Contesting Your License Suspension
If you accumulate enough points to trigger a license revocation, you can request an administrative hearing at the Colorado DMV. It is similar to a mini-trial, and you can appear in person or hire me to appear on your behalf. Often, these hearings can take place over the phone.
The hearing officer decides whether there is sufficient evidence to revoke your license. If you do not request a DMV hearing in time, your license gets automatically suspended.
In my experience, DMV hearings are often misunderstood. They are separate from the criminal or traffic court case, and winning one does not necessarily mean winning the other. Preparing specifically for the DMV’s procedures can make a significant difference.
How Long Your License Suspension Lasts
A Colorado license suspension for accumulating too many DMV points typically lasts for six months to one year.
(Note that first-time DUIs carry a 9-month license suspension.)
How To Reinstate Your License
To reinstate your Colorado driver’s license in most cases, you must:
- submit an application for reinstatement (Form DR 2870),
- show proof of insurance, and
- pay a reinstatement fee of $95.
One issue I frequently see is drivers assuming their license automatically becomes valid again once the suspension period ends. In reality, you usually must complete the DMV’s reinstatement requirements before lawfully driving again.
How Many Points Are On Your Colorado Driving Record
You can purchase your Colorado driving record to check your DMV points. Copies can be bought online or at any full-service DMV office. Errors can be reported to the DMV at (303) 205-5600.
I always encourage clients to check their driving record instead of guessing how many points they have. Many people are surprised to discover older tickets they had forgotten about or misunderstand how many points a particular violation actually carries.
See our related article, How to check points on my Colorado license.
How Many Points Colorado Traffic Offenses Carry
This chart shows common traffic violations and their DMV point value.
| Traffic Offense | Colorado DMV Points |
| 12 |
| 8 |
| 6 |
| 4 |
| 3 |
| 2 |
| 1 |
In my experience, the point value listed on a ticket is only part of the story. The more important question is often whether the charge can be negotiated (“plea bargained“) to a different offense before a conviction is entered. That is frequently where drivers have the greatest opportunity to reduce the long-term impact of a traffic citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lawyer help keep DMV points off my Colorado license?
The best opportunity to avoid DMV points is before a traffic conviction becomes final. In many cases, an attorney may be able to negotiate a reduction to a lesser offense that carries fewer points—or sometimes no points at all—depending on the facts of the case and the prosecutor’s discretion.
In my experience, many drivers assume they have no options after receiving a ticket. Often, the most effective strategy is addressing the citation before paying it. Once a guilty plea is entered and points are assessed, your options become much more limited.
Do DMV points affect my car insurance?
DMV points determine whether the Colorado DMV may suspend your license. Your insurance company, however, uses its own rating system and may increase your premiums based on your driving history regardless of your current DMV point total.
I regularly tell clients that avoiding a point suspension is only one piece of the puzzle. Negotiating a reduced charge may also help lessen the long-term insurance consequences of a traffic ticket.
Can I take traffic school to erase DMV points?
Colorado generally does not allow drivers to erase existing DMV points simply by completing traffic school. In some cases, however, a defensive driving course may be part of a negotiated resolution that results in fewer points because the underlying charge is reduced.
What I’ve seen is that many people hear about “point reduction classes” from friends in other states. Colorado’s system works differently, so it is important to understand what a traffic class can—and cannot—accomplish before enrolling.
What happens if I ignore a notice of license suspension?
If the Colorado DMV sends you a notice that your license will be suspended because of excessive points, you generally have only a limited time to request an administrative hearing. Missing that deadline can result in the suspension taking effect automatically.
One mistake I frequently see is drivers assuming they can deal with the suspension later. Responding quickly often preserves important rights that may otherwise be lost.
Can I remove DMV points by waiting?
You cannot remove DMV points from your driving record simply by waiting. However, for most adult drivers, the Colorado DMV only counts points accumulated during the previous 24 months when deciding whether to suspend a license.
Will out-of-state tickets add Colorado DMV points?
In some situations, Colorado may recognize traffic convictions from another state when applying its driver licensing laws. Whether points are assessed depends on the nature of the offense and Colorado law.
Drivers are often surprised that moving or receiving a ticket while traveling does not necessarily prevent Colorado from learning about the violation. It is worth reviewing the specific citation with an attorney before assuming it will have no effect.
Does paying a traffic ticket automatically add DMV points in Colorado?
Paying a Colorado traffic ticket is generally treated as an admission of guilt or liability. If the violation carries DMV points under Colorado law, those points will typically be assessed to your driving record after the conviction is reported to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. The number of points depends on the specific offense, and not every traffic violation carries the same point value.
In my experience, many drivers do not realize that simply paying a ticket is usually the same as pleading guilty. I often tell clients to understand the long-term consequences before paying online or mailing in payment, especially if the citation carries significant points or could affect their insurance rates. In many cases, there may be opportunities to negotiate a reduced charge before points are ever assessed.
Additional Resources
For more information, refer to these Colorado DMV websites:
- Make an appointment – Save time by making an appointment online.
- DMV office locations – A list of all the DMVs in Colorado.
- Application for reinstatement – This is necessary to regain your driving privileges.
- Online portal (MyDMV) – You can often avoid going to the DMV by using the portal.
- Pay tickets online – The easiest way to pay your civil penalties and close your case.
See our related articles, How long do points stay on your license in Colorado? and How to get a speeding ticket dismissed in Colorado.
Legal References
- Colorado Revised Statutes 42-2-127 C.R.S. – Authority to Suspend License.
- 1 CCR 211-3 – Rules For The Length Of Restraint And Issuance Of Probationary Driver’s Licenses.
- Point Suspensions, Colorado DMV.