Suspended license in Colorado: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Colorado, the first points threshold is 12 points within 1 year: License suspension after a hearing; a probationary license may be issued for a period not exceeding the suspension. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $95.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
Colorado assesses points for traffic convictions under the schedule in C.R.S. § 42-2-127 and suspends the license of an adult who accumulates 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months; minors 18 through 20 are suspended at 9 points in 12 months, 12 in 24 or 14 or more before age 21, and drivers under 18 at 6 points in 12 months or 7 before turning 18. A notice of suspension and a hearing follow.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 points | 1 year | License suspension after a hearing; a probationary license may be issued for a period not exceeding the suspension | dmv.colorado.gov |
| 18 points | 2 years | License suspension after a hearing; a probationary license may be issued for a period not exceeding the suspension | content.leg.colorado.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Points count within the 12-month and 24-month windows in § 42-2-127. The DMV's driving record covers the previous seven years or the driver's full history.
“I accumulated too many points on my license Suspension Rules: You can lose your license if you accumulate: Adults (21+): 12 points in 12 months, or 18 points in 24 months.”
“Driving records are available for the previous seven years or for the full history of the driver.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding: Five to nine miles per hour over the reasonable and prudent speed or five to nine miles per hour over the maximum lawful speed limit of seventy-five m | 1 |
| Speeding: Ten to nineteen miles per hour over the reasonable and prudent speed or ten to nineteen miles per hour over the maximum lawful speed limit of seventy- | 4 |
| Speeding: Twenty to thirty-nine miles per hour over the reasonable and prudent speed or twenty to thirty-nine miles per hour over the maximum lawful speed limit | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| Careless driving | 4 |
| Failure to stop for school bus | 6 |
Check points or the driving record: dmv.colorado.gov
The statute: C.R.S. § 42-2-127
“has been convicted of traffic violations resulting in the accumulation of twelve points or more within any twelve consecutive months or eighteen points or more within any twenty-four consecutive months”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points suspension | Adults are suspended at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months; a Notice of Suspension is mailed and a hearing is held. | Wait until the suspension period is over, obtain an SR-22 certificate from the insurer, submit it with the $95 reinstatement fee, and take the written test. | $95 |
| Unpaid Tickets (In-State or Out-of-State) | A license suspended for an unpaid ticket is reinstated once the ticket is paid with the issuing court. | Pay the ticket with the court that issued it, get a court clearance receipt or notice, and pay the $95 reinstatement fee (payable online with myDMV). | $95 |
| Out-of-State Tickets (Non-Resident Violator Compact) | If a Colorado driver fails to pay a moving-violation ticket in another member state, that state notifies Colorado and the license is suspended until the ticket is paid. | Pay the fine to the out-of-state court, obtain an NRVC compliance statement, upload it through myDMV or submit Form DR 2870, and pay the reinstatement fee. | $95 |
| Child Support Arrears | A suspension for child-support arrears ends when the child support agency sends an electronic compliance notice directly to the DMV. | Resolve the issue with the child support agency so it sends the electronic compliance notice, then pay the $95 reinstatement fee. | $95 |
| Insurance (SR-22 cancellation) | When an SR-22 that is still required is cancelled, the insurer notifies the DMV and the license is suspended for that reason alone. | Obtain a new SR-22 certificate, submit it with the $95 reinstatement fee, and take the written test as listed for points or insurance suspensions. | $95 |
| Outstanding Judgment Warrant (OJW) | An OJW is issued for outstanding court fees or requirements; for OJWs before 2022 a DMV reinstatement fee clears it, and for OJWs after 12/31/2021 the court must be paid directly. | Pay the court directly (OJWs after 12/31/2021) or pay the DMV reinstatement fee (earlier OJWs). | $95 |
| Cancellation (errors or medical reasons) | A cancellation voids the license, often because of errors or medical reasons; re-examination may be required after two accidents within three years or on a doctor's, family member's or officer's report. | — | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Points suspension
“Wait until your suspension period is officially over. Obtain an SR-22 Insurance certificate from your auto insurance company. Submit the SR-22 certificate along with paying the $95 Reinstatement Fee. You will be required to take the written test.”
Unpaid Tickets (In-State or Out-of-State)
“Pay the ticket with the court that issued it. Get a court clearance receipt or notice. Pay the $95 reinstatement fee.”
Out-of-State Tickets (Non-Resident Violator Compact)
“Colorado will then suspend your driver's license until the ticket is paid.”
Child Support Arrears
“Resolve the issue with the child support agency. The agency must send an electronic compliance notice directly to the DMV. Pay the $95 Reinstatement Fee.”
Insurance (SR-22 cancellation)
“Once the Motor Vehicle Division has been notified that the SR-22 is no longer in effect, but is still required, Motor Vehicle will suspend your license for that reason alone.”
Outstanding Judgment Warrant (OJW)
“For OJWs from before 2022, paying a reinstatement fee to the DMV will clear it. For OJWs after 12/31/2021, you must pay the court directly.”
Cancellation (errors or medical reasons)
“Cancellation: An action to void a license (often due to errors or medical reasons).”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $95. A $95 reinstatement fee applies to points, unpaid-ticket, child-support and insurance suspensions; alcohol offenses add a $25 DUI restoration fee, and a probationary driver license costs $6.
“Pay the $95 reinstatement fee.The reinstatement fee can be paid online with myDMV here.”
Wait until the suspension period is over
The points/insurance checklist begins with completing the suspension period.
“Wait until your suspension period is officially over.”
Obtain an SR-22 certificate
An SR-22 insurance certificate is obtained from the driver's auto insurer.
“Obtain an SR-22 Insurance certificate from your auto insurance company.”
Submit the SR-22 and pay the $95 fee
Documents can be uploaded and the fee paid electronically through myDMV, or submitted with Form DR 2870 in person, by email or by mail.
“Upload your specific reinstatement documents (like Court Compliances, SR-22s, or Interlock leases) and pay your $95 reinstatement fee electronically.”
Take the written test
Reinstatement after a points or insurance suspension requires the written test.
“You will be required to take the written test.”
Official page: dmv.colorado.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Colorado.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available · Probationary Driver License. A probationary driver license allows limited driving, usually to and from work or for work duties, during a suspension; it is usually granted for a points suspension or a child support suspension, all tickets must be paid first, and it is requested at the suspension hearing or by emailing the Hearings Division. It requires a letter of employment, proof of SR-22 insurance and a $6 fee, and is confiscated if the driver is stopped outside its restrictions or receives any ticket.
“A probationary license is usually granted for persons with a points suspension or a child support suspension. All tickets must be paid prior to the issuance of any probationary license.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Colorado.
Questions about a suspended license in Colorado
- How many points suspend a Colorado license?
- Under C.R.S. § 42-2-127 and the DMV's FAQ, an adult is suspended at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months; drivers 18 through 20 at 9 points in 12 months, 12 in 24 or 14 before age 21; and drivers under 18 at 6 points in 12 months or 7 before turning 18.
- What is required to reinstate after a Colorado points suspension?
- The DMV's reinstatement page lists: wait until the suspension period is over, obtain an SR-22 certificate from the insurer, submit it with the $95 reinstatement fee, and take the written test. Documents and the fee can be submitted through myDMV.
- Can I drive to work during a Colorado points suspension?
- The DMV FAQ states a probationary driver license is usually granted for a points or child-support suspension, limited to work purposes, after all tickets are paid; it requires a hearing request, a letter of employment, SR-22 proof and a $6 fee.
- Does a class reduce points in Colorado?
- No DMV reinstatement page describes a point-reduction course. C.R.S. § 42-2-127(5.5) instead reduces the points for a penalty-assessment violation by two (three-point-or-higher violations) or one (two-point violations) when the fine and surcharge are paid by the due date.
Sources
- Colorado DMV – Reinstating After Points, Tickets, or Child Support
- Colorado DMV – Suspension and Reinstatement FAQs (thresholds, SR-22, OJW, probationary license)
- Colorado DMV – Driver Records and Clearance Letters FAQs
- Colorado DMV – Driving Record (Motor Vehicle Record)
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 42, incl. § 42-2-127 Authority to suspend license – points (Office of Legislative Legal Services PDF)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Colorado license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/colorado/suspended-license/