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
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 in order 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 have no effect on whether you can keep your license.
Learn more in our article, How can I check the points on my license in Colorado?
Removing DMV Points
Completing a court-approved traffic school may remove up to three points from your Colorado driver’s license. Plus paying traffic tickets on time can also reduce the number of DMV points added to your license.
Learn more in our article, How do I remove points from my Colorado driver’s license?
DMV points older than 24 months cannot impact your driving privileges in Colorado.
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 at 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.2
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?
Additional Resources
Find helpful information from the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicle website:
- Point Suspensions – Explanation of how accruing points can trigger a license suspension.
- Driver Services – Frequently Asked Questions.
- Hearing Forms – Forms to request a DMV hearing.
- Auto Insurance – Overview of Colorado car insurance laws.
- Interlock Devices – Overview of when interlock devices are required for you to drive.
Legal References
- Colorado Revised Statutes 42-2-127 CRS; 1 CCR 211-3.
- Same. See also Edwards v. Motor Vehicle Div., (1974) 33 Colo. App. 382, 520 P.2d 598 (1974). Ewing v. Motor Vehicle Div., 624 P.2d 353 (Colo. App. 1980).
