Updated
Under the Colorado DMV point system, your Colorado driver’s license can be suspended if you accumulate too many demerits from moving violations within a certain consecutive time period. Adults drivers age 21 or over face suspension if they sustain 12 or more points in a 12-month period, or 18 or more points in a 24-month period.
Like all the best Colorado DUI lawyers, the attorneys at the Colorado Legal Defense Group know, however, that the DMV isn’t always right about traffic offenses. We invite you to contact us for a free consultation if you are facing suspension or revocation of your license for too many points for traffic tickets.
How many demerits will cost me my license?
The number of driver’s license points at which the Colorado DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) will suspend your driving privileges depends on your age and whether you are a professional driver.
Adult drivers 21 years of age and older:
- 12 points in 12-month period, or
- 18 points in 24-month period.
Minor drivers ages 18-20:
- 9 points in 12 month period of time,
- 12 points in 24 consecutive months, or
- 14 points or more between the ages of 18 and 21 years old.
Minor drivers under 18:
- 6 points in 12 months, or
- 7 points before turning 18.
“Chauffeurs”:
The DMV uses a different system for those whose demerits were incurred entirely while employed as a professional driver. These professional drivers include taxi cab drivers as well as traditional chauffeurs. It is up to you, however, to prove the traffic violations occurred during the course of your employment.
The number of “chauffeur” points leading to a Colorado driver’s license suspension are:
- 16 points in 12 months,
- 24 points in 24 months, or
- 28 points in 48 months.
Examples of DMV points
The following are some examples of the number of points for various Colorado driving crimes and traffic infractions:
- DUI (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol): 12
- DUI per se (driving with a BAC of .08% or higher): 12
- DWAI (driving while ability impaired): 8
- UDD (underage drinking and driving): 4
- Leaving the scene of an accident: 12
- Speed contests: 12
- Evading an officer: 12
- Reckless driving: 8
- Careless driving: 4
- Speeding: 1-12, depending on MPH over the speed limit
- Failure to show proof of insurance: 4
- Improper passing: 4
Requirements for reinstatement of your Colorado license
The requirements for reinstatement of your license vary depending on what the point suspension or revocation was for. But in most cases they include:
- Application for reinstatement (Form DR 2870),
- A reinstatement fee of $95, and
- Proof of insurance.
In addition, if you refused a DUI chemical test or 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,
- affidavit of enrollment in an alcohol and drug education and treatment program (Form DR 2643), and/or
- Restricted License Ignition Interlock Agreement Affidavit (Form DR 2058).
You may also be subject to an eligibility hearing if your license was suspended due to:
- Vehicular homicide, or
- Criminally negligent homicide or vehicular assault while driving.
Finally, if your license was revoked (as opposed to suspended), you will be required to take new eye, written and driving tests.
Check your Colorado driving record
You can purchase a non-certified copy of your Colorado motor vehicle record as any full-service driver’s license office. For a certified copy, you must contact:
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
1881 Pierce St.
Lakewood, CO 80214.
Written requests must include:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Driver license number (if available)
- Full and legible signature
- Photocopy of driver photo ID with signature
- Check for $2.60 (for non-certified copy) or $3.20 (for a certified copy).
To report traffic violation errors on your driving record, you can call the Colorado DMV at (303) 205-5600 or TDD (303) 205-5940.
Call our law firm for legal advice and to discuss creating an attorney-client relationship. Our defense attorneys offer free consultations.
Communities we serve include Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial, and elsewhere in the state of Colorado. The initial consultation is free.
Our main office is located at:
Colorado Legal Defense Group
4047 Tejon Street
Denver, CO 80211