DMV Point System in Colorado – How exactly does it work?

Colorado traffic violations carry not only fines (and possibly jail) – Traffic violations also cause “points” to go on your driving record. Too many points will trigger a driver’s license suspension of six months to one year.

For instance, if you are 21 or older, the Colorado DMV will suspend your driver’s license if you accumulate:

• 12 points in a year or
• 18 points in two years.

You can contest your driver’s license suspension at a DMV administrative hearing. However, these proceedings can be complex to win since the state’s civil burden of proof is very low, much lower than in a criminal trial.¹

The purpose of the DMV point system is to deter unsafe driving and remind motorists that driving is a privilege, not a right. In this article, our Colorado criminal defense attorneys will address the following key issues regarding the DMV point system.

• 1. How DMV Points Work
• 2. Point Chart
• 3. DMV Hearings
• 4. Length of Suspension
• 5. Probationary Licenses
• 6. How Long Points Stay
• 7. License Reinstatement
• 8. Insurance
• 9. Driving Records
• 10. Removing Points
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Additional Resources

1. How DMV Points Work

If you are 21 or older, the Colorado DMV will suspend your driver’s license for amassing:

• 12 points in 12 months or
• 18 points in 24 months.

If you are 18, 19, or 20 years old, the rules are stricter. The Colorado DMV will suspend your driver’s license for amassing:

• 9 points in 12 months,
• 12 points in 24 months, or
• 14 points or more during the time you are 18 to 20 years old.

If you are younger than 18, the rules are stringent. The Colorado DMV will suspend your driver’s license for amassing:

• 6 points in 12 months or
• 7 points before turning 18 years old.

Rules are more lenient if you are a chauffeur (such as a taxi driver). The Colorado DMV will suspend your driver’s license for amassing:

• 16 points in 12 months,
• 24 points in 24 months, or
• 28 points in 48 months.²

If you are a chauffeur, you have the burden to prove that the traffic violation occurred during the course of your employment as a chauffeur.¹ Note that DMV points are assessed only after a conviction. However, DMV points are calculated based on the violation date, not the conviction date.

We regularly meet drivers who are surprised to learn that several small violations accumulated over time can trigger a suspension just as effectively as one major offense. Looking at your total driving record—not just the newest ticket—is often the first step in protecting your license.

2. Point Chart

In Colorado, the severity of a traffic violation directly correlates with the number of points it carries.² The following are common traffic crimes/infractions and the number of points they put on your driving record.

Colorado Driving Offense	Demerit Points
DUI (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol)	12
DUI per se (driving with a BAC of .08% or higher)	12
Evading / eluding an officer	12
Leaving the scene of an accident	12
Speed contests	12
Speeding 40 mph or more over limit	12
DWAI (driving while ability impaired)	8
Failure to stop for a school bus	8
Reckless driving	8
Speeding 20 mph to 39 mph over limit	6
Careless driving	4
Driving on wrong side of road	4
Failure to observe traffic sign or signal	4
Failure to show or maintain proof of insurance	4
Failure to yield to emergency vehicle	4
Improper passing	4
Speeding 10 mph to 19 mph over limit	4
UDD (underage drinking and driving)	4
Driving in wrong direction on one-way street	3
Driving through safety zone	3
Failure to yield right of way	3
Improper turn	3
Failure to dim – or turn on – lights	2
Improper backing	2
Improper signal / failure to signal	2
Operating an unsafe vehicle	2
Speeding 5 mph to 9 mph over limit	1

We often tell clients not to focus only on the fine amount. Two tickets with similar fines can carry dramatically different DMV point consequences. Before pleading guilty to any moving violation, it is worth understanding how many points the conviction will add and whether negotiating for a lesser offense could make a significant difference.

3. DMV Hearings

DMV hearings are administrative trials at the Colorado DMV where you can contest your driver’s license suspension in front of a hearing master (similar to a judge). You can present evidence and witnesses and cross-examine state witnesses, such as the police officer.

Everyone who faces a license suspension for accruing too many DMV points is entitled to a hearing. The DMV will mail you a notice of the date and time of your hearing. DMV hearings, which are less formal than criminal trials, are conducted in person or by telephone. You can appear by yourself or with your attorney.³

In our experience, drivers frequently underestimate DMV hearings because they are administrative rather than criminal proceedings. Yet these hearings can determine whether someone keeps the ability to drive to work, school, or medical appointments. Preparing for the hearing early usually provides far more options than waiting until a suspension has already taken effect.

4. Length of Suspension

The hearing master at your Colorado DMV hearing has the discretion to impose a sentence of six months to one year. If you do not attend the hearing, your license is automatically suspended for one year.

When deciding whether enough evidence exists to suspend your license and how long the suspension will be, the hearing master takes into account:

• The nature of the traffic violation(s),
• Your age,
• Your driving history,
• Any “mitigating evidence” that shows you in a less blameworthy light (such as by having an otherwise clean driving record), and
• Any “aggravating evidence” that shows you in a more blameworthy light (such as causing an accident or being a repeat offender).⁴

We know that losing a driver’s license often creates problems far beyond transportation. Clients worry about keeping their jobs, getting children to school, or meeting probation requirements. Addressing point issues before a suspension occurs is usually much easier than trying to undo the consequences afterward.

5. Probationary Licenses

If your Colorado license suspension will cause you “undue hardship,” you can ask the hearing master for a probationary driver’s license (PDL or “red license”) that lets you commute to work, school, doctor’s appointments, or to carry out essential family functions (like picking up your children).

Note that Colorado has a “zero tolerance policy” for PDLs. This means the DMV will revoke your PDL if you receive even a minor traffic ticket. Furthermore, you must obtain SR22 insurance and maintain it for three years to get your regular driver’s license reinstated.⁵

6. How Long Points Stay

As long as you are 21 years old and not a chauffeur, your Colorado DMV points no longer count against you after two years with regard to license suspensions/revocations. If you are a chauffeur, the “lookback period” is four years.⁶

However, your DMV points still stay on your record permanently. They simply stop counting toward suspension thresholds after the “lookback” periods (also called “washout” periods). Colorado law still considers your driving history for insurance, employment, and future administrative actions.

7. License Reinstatement

In most cases, reinstating your Colorado driver’s license following a point suspension requires the following:

• An application for reinstatement (Form DR 2870),
• A reinstatement fee of $95 (plus a fee of $25 in DUI/DWAI/UDD cases) payable to the Department of Revenue, and
• Proof of insurance.

If you refused a DUI chemical test – or if your license was revoked or suspended due to alcohol and/or drug use – you may be required to provide some or all of the following:

• A Colorado DR 2598 certification form,
• SR-22 from your insurance company,
• An affidavit of enrollment in an alcohol and drug education and treatment program (Form DR 2643), and/or
• A Restricted License Ignition Interlock Agreement Affidavit (Form DR 2058).⁷

8. Insurance

Accumulating driver’s license points can cause your car insurance rates to increase in Colorado. This is true whether or not your driver’s license ends up being suspended or revoked.

Note that insurance companies can review your driving record (MVR) from the past seven to ten years when determining your insurance charges. MVRs are discussed in the next section.

From what we have seen, insurance consequences often end up costing drivers far more than the original traffic fine. Even relatively modest premium increases can add up over several years, which is why fighting or reducing a ticket can sometimes save substantially more money than simply paying it.

9. Driving Records

Your Colorado driving record, also called a motor vehicle record (MVR), is a report that documents your driving history, including accidents and DMV points. Plus, the report will show any “red licenses,” which is shorthand for having had your license suspended, restricted, or revoked.

Colorado MVRs go back for seven years. However, it shows DUIs for the last 10 years.

If you are applying for a job that involves driving (such as transporting people or making deliveries), your prospective employer will take your MVR into account. That is why it is advisable to review it periodically to:

• ensure there are no errors,
• verify that old points do not show up, and
• monitor how many DMV points you currently have to gauge your suspension risks.

To report traffic violation errors on your MVR, you can call the Colorado DMV at (303) 205-5600 or TDD (303) 205-5940.⁸

We encourage clients to review their driving records periodically instead of waiting until they receive a suspension notice or apply for a new job. Catching mistakes early—or simply knowing how many points remain active—helps people make better decisions when another citation occurs.

Obtaining a Copy of Your Driving Record: Three Ways

1) Online

The quickest way to check your driver’s license status is to go online to the Colorado DMV to buy your MVR. After choosing “self-request”, click “next” and provide your:

• Full name,
• Date of birth,
• Driver’s license number (if available) and issue date, and
• Last four numbers of your SSN.

After clicking “next” again, choose option 7 to order your MVR. You must provide your email address and a credit card.

• Non-certified driving records cost $9.25, and
• Certified driving records cost $10.25.

After clicking “I certify” and “next” again, proceed to pay with your credit card. If you bought a non-certified driving record, it will be emailed or mailed to you.

2) By Mail

To order your MVR through the mail, complete the MVR written request (Form DR 2489). It will ask for your:

• Full name,
• Date of birth,
• Driver’s license number (if available), issue date, and expiration date,
• Last four numbers of your SSN,
• Full and legible signature,
• Reason for the request,
• Photocopy of driver’s photo ID with signature, and
• Check or money order for $9.25 (for a non-certified copy) or $10.25 (for a certified copy).

Then mail it to:

Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles Driver Control, Room 164, PO Box 173345

3) In Person

You can also purchase a non-certified or certified copy of your Colorado motor vehicle record at any full-service driver’s license office. The DMV accepts:

• Cash,
• Check,
• Money order,
• Credit cards, and
• Debit cards.

10. Removing Points

Remember that the Colorado DMV stops looking at points that are more than 24 months old (unless you are a chauffeur or under 21). So once two years have passed, the DMV cannot use them against you to revoke or suspend your license.⁹

There is no way to “remove” points from your driving record in Colorado. However, you may be able to plea bargain with a prosecutor to take a defensive driving class in exchange for a reduction to a lesser charge, which in turn carries fewer points.

One misconception we regularly hear is that taking a defensive driving class automatically erases DMV points. In Colorado, that generally is not how the point system works. Instead, the better strategy is often preventing unnecessary points from ever being assessed through successful negotiations or litigation when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check how many DMV points I have in Colorado?

You can check your points by obtaining your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) in three ways: online through the Colorado DMV website for $9.25 (non-certified) or $10.25 (certified), by mail using Form DR 2489, or in person at any full-service driver’s license office.

Your driving record shows your current point total, prior traffic convictions, license suspensions, and other driving history that may affect your driving privileges or insurance.

Many drivers do not discover they are close to a suspension until another ticket pushes them over the limit. We recommend obtaining a copy of your driving record before deciding whether to plead guilty to a new citation because knowing your current point total can significantly affect your legal strategy.

Does paying a Colorado traffic ticket automatically add DMV points?

Usually yes. Paying a traffic ticket is generally treated as a guilty plea or conviction for the charged offense, which means the Colorado DMV will assess the number of points assigned to that violation unless the charge is amended or dismissed before the case is resolved.

From what we have seen, many people assume paying the fine is the quickest and cheapest option. However, once points are assessed, they generally cannot be removed. We regularly help clients negotiate reduced charges that carry fewer—or sometimes no—DMV points.

Why should I order my Colorado driving record?

A Colorado driving record allows you to verify your current point total, confirm that convictions have been recorded accurately, identify any license suspensions, and check for administrative errors. It may also be requested by employers, insurance companies, or government agencies.

We tell clients that reviewing their own driving record is much like reviewing a credit report. Most records are accurate, but mistakes do happen. Catching an error before it affects your license or employment opportunities can save considerable time and expense.

Will too many DMV points increase my insurance rates?

Possibly. Although the Colorado DMV point system and your automobile insurance are separate, insurance companies commonly review your driving history when determining premiums. Multiple moving violations or serious offenses may result in higher insurance costs.

People often focus only on avoiding a license suspension. We remind clients that the long-term insurance consequences of a conviction can easily exceed the original fine, making it worthwhile to consider all available defenses before resolving a traffic case.

What is the biggest mistake drivers make after receiving a traffic ticket?

The biggest mistake is assuming every ticket should simply be paid immediately. While paying may be appropriate in some situations, doing so usually results in a conviction that carries DMV points if the violation is a point-bearing offense.

From what we have seen, drivers are often surprised to learn that a brief conversation with an attorney could have identified options for reducing the charge or minimizing the point consequences. Even seemingly routine tickets can have lasting effects on driving privileges and insurance costs.

Do DMV points affect more than just my driver’s license?

Yes. A history of traffic violations may affect employment opportunities for jobs involving driving, commercial driving privileges, insurance premiums, and how future traffic offenses are viewed by prosecutors and insurers. Your Motor Vehicle Record reflects much more than your current point total.

In our experience, clients often think only about whether they will lose their license. We encourage them to consider the broader consequences because protecting a clean driving record today can make it much easier to qualify for employment, maintain affordable insurance, and avoid future complications.

How many points can I get before my license is suspended in Colorado?

If you’re 21 or older, your license will be suspended for accumulating 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. For drivers 18 to 20, it is 9 points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months. For under 18, it is 6 points in 12 months or 7 points total before turning 18.

How long do points stay on my Colorado driver’s license?

For drivers 21 and older, points no longer count against you after two years. For chauffeurs, points stay on your record for four years. However, your complete driving record (MVR) shows violations for seven years, and DUIs appear for 10 years.

What happens if my license gets suspended for too many points?

You will receive a notice for a DMV hearing where you can contest the suspension. If found valid, suspensions last 6 months to 1 year. You may be eligible for a probationary license for essential driving needs, but you will need SR22 insurance and must pay reinstatement fees when the suspension ends. You can also contact us if you need a hit and run attorney near you.

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.

Also see our related articles:

• How long do points stay on your license in Colorado?
• How many points on a Colorado license trigger a license suspension?
• How to reinstate a suspended driver’s license in Colorado
• How to check points on my Colorado license
• How to remove points from my Colorado driver’s license
• How long does it take to get points off your license in Colorado?

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