Driving without current and valid vehicle registration in Colorado is a class B traffic infraction punishable by $15 to $100, a small surcharge, and no DMV points.
If you fail to register your vehicle within 60 days of purchasing it or within 90 days of moving to Colorado, you face additional fines of $25 per each month your car remains unregistered (up to $100) plus back taxes.1 Vehicles must be re-registered every 12 months.
Can I go to jail?
No. Driving without valid and current registration in Colorado does not carry jail as a potential penalty.2
Will I get points on my record?
No. Driving without registration does not cause DMV points to be added to your driving record.3
Can I get the record sealed?
No. Driving with an un-registered vehicle is not a sealable offense under Colorado state law. It remains on your record forever.4 Learn more about Colorado records seals.
What if my registration is fake?
It is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense in Colorado to either:
- Use a false name or address, knowingly make a false statement, or knowingly conceal a material fact in an application for the registration, renewal registration, or duplicate registration of a motor vehicle; or
- display, permit to be displayed, have in possession, or offer for sale a certificate of title, validation tab or sticker, or registration number plate knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been stolen, canceled, revoked, suspended, or altered.
Penalties for having fake car registration include 10 to 90 days in county jail and/or $150 to $300 in fines. Convictions can never be sealed from your criminal record. But if the charge gets dismissed, you can petition for a seal right away.5
Colorado law requires annual re-registration for motor vehicles.
What if I do not have a license?
Driving without a current and valid driver’s license in the state of Colorado is a class A traffic infraction carrying $15 to $100 plus a surcharge. And the DMV may deny you a new license for up to one year.
However, driving without a license will be prosecuted as only a Colorado class B traffic infraction if either:
- You have a current and valid license but forgot to carry it with you when law enforcement pulled you over; or
- Your license has been expired for less than one year (and it was not suspended or revoked).
Class B traffic infractions carry $15 to $100 in fines plus a small surcharge. But a second-time offense also carries six DMV points.6
Note that driving on a suspended or revoked license is a separate crime called “driving under restraint (DUR).” The penalties turn on why the license was taken away:
| Reason for Suspension of Driving Privileges | Colorado Sentence for Driving Under Restraint |
| Outstanding Judgment | Class A traffic infraction:
|
| DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, or UDD | First offense Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense:
Also, the date you can get a license reinstatement is extended for 1 year.* The judge may not grant probation or a suspended sentence instead of jail. But if you drove because of an emergency, then the judge does not have to impose the 10-day mandatory minimum jail sentence. |
| Subsequent offense (within 5 years of the first conviction) Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense:
Also, you may not get a new license in Colorado for 4 years.* The judge may not grant probation or a suspended sentence instead of jail. But if you drove because of an emergency, then the judge does not have to impose mandatory jail time. | |
| Any other reason | First offense Class A traffic infraction:
Although there is no mandatory jail sentence, your license suspension is extended for 1 year.* |
| Subsequent offense (within 5 years of the first conviction) Class A traffic infraction:
You may not get driving privileges in Colorado for 3 years.* | |
| *Colorado residents could be eligible for restricted driving privileges from the Division of Motor Vehicles pursuant to CRS 42-2-132.5.7 | |
What if I do not have insurance?
Driving without proof of insurance is a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense under Colorado law. The penalty for a first-time offense is a minimum fine of $500. But if the owner of the vehicle gets an insurance policy afterward, the court may impose one-half of the fine.
In addition, the Colorado DMV adds four points to your license. And the judge may impose up to 40 hours of community service.8
Legal References
- Colorado Revised Statute 42-3-121. CRS 42-3-102. CRS 42-3-103. HB22-1254. Marc Sallinger, New penalties for driving with expired tags, out-of-state plates, NBC 9 News (March 13, 2023). , Late with your car registration? Be prepared to face new late fees, CPR News (March 1, 2023).
- Same.
- CRS 42-2-127
- CRS 24-72-701-709.
- CRS 42-3-121.
- CRS 42-2-101. CRS 42-2-127.
- CRS 42-2-138; People v. Wambolt, 2018 COA 88, 431 P.3d 681.
- CRS 42-4-1409. CRS 42-2-127. People v. Martinez (2007) 179 P.3d 23.
