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How long do points stay on your license in Colorado?

DMV points from traffic violations stay on your Colorado driver’s license permanently. However, the Colorado DMV only considers points from the last 24 months when deciding whether to suspend your license. 1 In this article, I discuss what you need to know about Colorado DMV points and how they affect your driving record:

Your Driving Record

Colorado driving records go back for seven years, and they show all the DMV points that you accrued during those seven years from Your car insurance company may pull your driving record to determine whether to raise your premiums. If you are applying for a job requiring driving, the employer will likely consider your driving record when deciding whether to hire you. Remember, the Colorado DMV never looks back more than two years when determining whether to revoke your driving privileges. Therefore, any traffic violations that occurred more than two years ago do not affect whether you can keep your license. Learn more in our article, How can I check the points on my license in Colorado? Graphic that shows common traffic violations carry and the DMV points they carry

Removing DMV Points

Completing a court-approved traffic school may remove up to three points from your Colorado driver’s license. In addition, paying traffic tickets on time should also reduce:
  • three-plus-point traffic violations by two points and
  • two-point traffic violations by one point.2
Learn more in our article, How do I remove points from my Colorado driver’s license?

The Maximum DMV Points You Can Drive With

Adults 21 and older can continue driving in Colorado with
  • up to 11 points in a one-year period and
  • up to 17 points in a two-year period.
Drivers who are 18, 19, or 20 years old can continue driving with up to:
  • 8 points in a 1-year period;
  • 11 points in a 2-year period; and
  • 13 points in the three years that the driver is 18 to 20 years old.
Minor drivers under 18 can continue driving with up to five points in a one-year period and six points while younger than 18 years old. Finally, chauffeurs (such as cab drivers) can continue driving with up to:
  • 15 points in a 1-year period;
  • 23 points in a 2-year period; and
  • 27 points in a 4-year period.
If you accrue too many points, the Colorado DMV will suspend your license for a period of six months to one year. You may be able to get a probationary driver’s license (PDL) to drive to and from work or school.3 See our related articles, How many DMV points can I get before losing my driver’s license in Colorado? and How many points on a Colorado license trigger a license suspension?
Police officer inspecting driver's license after a traffic stop
DMV points older than 24 months cannot impact your driving privileges in Colorado.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points is a speeding ticket in Colorado?

The number of points added to your license for a speeding ticket depends on how fast you were going over the posted speed limit:
  • 1 to 4 mph over: 0 points
  • 5 to 9 mph over: 1 point
  • 10 to 19 mph over: 4 points
  • 20 to 39 mph over: 6 points
  • 40+ mph over: 12 points (This triggers an automatic point suspension for most drivers).

How many points are common traffic violations in Colorado?

Every traffic violation has a specific point value assigned by the state. Some of the most common infractions and their point values include:
  • Not wearing a seat belt: 2 points
  • Failure to yield right of way: 3 points
  • Improper passing: 4 points
  • Running a stoplight or stop sign: 4 points
  • Careless driving: 4 points
  • Failure to show proof of insurance: 4 points
  • Reckless driving: 8 points
  • DUI, Speeding Contests, or Evading an Officer: 12 points

How can I check how many points are currently on my Colorado license?

You can request a copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR) from the Colorado Department of Revenue (Division of Motor Vehicles) in three ways:
  1. Online: Visit the myDMV Colorado portal, select “Driver/ID Services,” and choose “Request a Driving Record.” You will need your driver’s license number, date of birth, the last 4 digits of your SSN, and a credit card to pay the $9 fee. You can choose to have it emailed or mailed to you.
  2. In-Person: You can visit any local Colorado DMV office and request a copy of your driving record on the spot.
  3. By Mail: You can download the DR 2559 form (Permission for Release of Driver Records) from the DOR website, fill it out, and mail it to the DMV Driver Control Section in Denver along with a check.

Will the points on my license affect my car insurance rates?

Yes. When insurance companies assess your risk level to calculate your premiums, they pull your Colorado driving record. High-point drivers are viewed as higher-risk individuals. Accumulating points for moving violations—even if you haven’t hit the threshold for a license suspension—will almost certainly cause your insurance carrier to raise your monthly rates.

Additional Resources

Find helpful information from the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles website:

Legal References

  1. Colorado Revised Statutes 42-2-127 C.R.S.; 1 CCR 211-3.
  2. C.R.S. 42-2-127. H.B. 24-1250 (Colo. 2024).
  3. Same. See also Edwards v. Motor Vehicle Div. (1974) 33 Colo. App. 382. Ewing v. Motor Vehicle Div. (Colo. App. 1980) 624 P.2d 353.

About the Author

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Michael Becker

Michael Becker has over a quarter-century's worth of experience as an attorney and more than 100 trials under his belt. He is a sought-after legal commentator and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Nevada, California, and Florida.

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