Colorado drivers face a point system that tracks traffic violations and can lead to license suspension if too many points accumulate. Understanding how many points are currently on your license helps you avoid losing your driving privileges and manage the consequences of traffic tickets.
This guide explains how the Colorado point system works, how to check your point balance, what violations carry which penalties, and how to reduce points before they threaten your license.
How Can I Find Out How Many Points Are on My Colorado Driver’s License?
You can check your Colorado driving record by requesting a copy from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles online, by mail, or in person. The record shows your current point total, violations, dates, and license status. You can also request your record through the Colorado DMV website for a small fee, typically around ten dollars, though you should verify the current cost before ordering.
Understanding the Colorado Driver’s License Point System
Colorado assigns points to your driving record when you are convicted of moving violations. The state uses this system to identify high-risk drivers and encourage safer behavior on the road.
Points remain on your driving record for seven years from the date of conviction, though the suspension threshold resets on a rolling basis. Your license status depends on how many points accumulate within specific time periods, not just your total lifetime points.
Point Thresholds That Trigger Suspensions
Colorado suspends licenses based on points accumulated within 12 months or 24 months. The thresholds differ for adult drivers aged 21 and older versus younger drivers.
For drivers 21 and older, the DMV will suspend your license if you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months or 18 or more points within 24 months. Drivers under 21 face stricter limits and will lose their license with fewer points in the same time periods.
Common Traffic Violations and Their Point Values
Colorado assigns different point values depending on the severity of the offense. Knowing these values helps you understand the impact of each ticket on your driving record.
Twelve-Point Violations
The most serious moving violations carry 12 points and typically result in immediate license suspension. These include reckless driving, DUI or DWAI convictions, driving while your license is under restraint, eluding a police officer, and vehicular assault.
Any single 12-point violation triggers an automatic suspension because it meets the threshold for losing your license within a 12-month period. These are not minor infractions and often involve criminal charges beyond the traffic ticket itself.
Six-Point Violations
Moderate violations typically carry six points. Common six-point offenses include speeding 20 to 24 miles per hour over the limit, improper passing, and failure to stop for an emergency vehicle.
Two six-point violations within one year will put you at the 12-point suspension threshold. Even one six-point ticket combined with several smaller violations can push you over the limit quickly.
Four-Point Violations
Many everyday traffic offenses result in four points. These include speeding 10 to 19 miles per hour over the limit, following too closely, improper lane changes, and running a red light or stop sign.
Four-point violations are common enough that multiple tickets can accumulate before you realize you are approaching suspension. Three four-point tickets within one year equal 12 points and trigger a suspension.
Three-Point and One-Point Violations
Lesser offenses carry fewer points but still contribute to your total. Three-point violations include speeding 5 to 9 miles per hour over the limit and certain equipment violations when combined with other factors.
One-point violations cover minor infractions like defective headlights or other equipment problems. While these seem insignificant alone, they add up when combined with more serious tickets.
How to Check Your Colorado Driving Record
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles maintains your official driving record. You have several options for requesting a copy that shows your point total and violation history.
Online Requests
The fastest method is ordering your record through the Colorado DMV website. You will need your driver’s license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Payment is typically required by credit or debit card, and you can often view or download your record immediately after payment processes. Verify the current fee and processing time on the official DMV website before starting your request, as these details change.
Mail and In-Person Requests
You can mail a completed request form with payment to the Colorado DMV or visit a driver’s license office in person. Mail requests take longer to process, often one to two weeks, while in-person requests may provide same-day results depending on office workload.
The official DMV website provides the correct form and mailing address. In-person visits require bringing identification and the applicable fee.
Authorized Third-Party Services
Some online services offer driving record access for a fee, but these are not official DMV sources. They may charge higher prices and provide records that are not accepted by courts, insurers, or employers who require official documentation.
If you need your record for legal proceedings, employment verification, or insurance disputes, request it directly from the Colorado DMV to ensure authenticity and acceptance.
What Happens When You Reach the Point Threshold
Crossing the suspension threshold triggers a formal process. The DMV sends a notice of suspension to your address on file, informing you when your license will be suspended and for how long.
Suspension periods depend on whether this is your first suspension or a repeat offense. First-time suspensions typically last a few months, while repeat suspensions can extend to a year or longer.
Driving During Suspension
Driving while your license is suspended is a serious offense in Colorado. It carries 12 points itself, criminal penalties, extended suspension periods, and potential jail time.
You must wait until the suspension period ends and complete any required reinstatement steps before legally driving again. Do not assume you can drive just because the suspension letter arrived but the effective date has not yet passed.
Reinstatement Requirements
Reinstating a suspended license requires paying reinstatement fees, completing any court-ordered requirements such as driving classes or substance abuse programs, and providing proof of insurance. The exact requirements vary based on the reason for suspension.
Contact the Colorado DMV directly or visit their website to confirm your specific reinstatement checklist. Incomplete reinstatement can result in continued suspension or additional penalties.
Reducing Points on Your License
Colorado offers limited options for reducing points once they are on your record. Points automatically expire seven years after the conviction date, but waiting that long is not practical if you are nearing suspension.
Level II Driver Awareness Program
Colorado allows you to take a state-approved defensive driving course to remove up to four points from your record once every 12 months. This is called the Level II Driver Awareness Program and is the only official point-reduction method available to most drivers.
You must complete the course before your point total reaches the suspension threshold for it to be effective. Taking the course after receiving a suspension notice will not prevent the suspension, though it may still benefit future point management.
Course Requirements and Approval
The course must be approved by the Colorado DMV. Not all defensive driving courses qualify for point reduction, so verify approval status before enrolling.
Upon completion, the course provider submits your certificate to the DMV, which then removes the points from your record. Keep a copy of your completion certificate and verify that the points were removed by requesting an updated driving record a few weeks after completion.
Limits on Point Reduction
You can only use this point-reduction option once per year, and it only removes four points. If you have accumulated more than four points or have taken the course recently, you cannot reduce additional points until 12 months have passed since your last course completion.
The course does not erase the violation from your record. It only reduces the point total that counts toward suspension thresholds.
How Points Affect Your Insurance Rates
Insurance companies review your driving record when setting premiums. Points and violations typically increase your rates, though the exact impact varies by insurer, violation type, and your overall driving history.
More serious violations like reckless driving or DUI cause larger rate increases than minor speeding tickets. Some insurers forgive a single minor violation, while others raise rates immediately after any ticket.
Shopping for Insurance After Violations
If your current insurer raises your rates significantly after a violation, comparing quotes from other companies may save money. Different insurers weigh violations differently in their pricing models.
Disclose all violations honestly when applying for new insurance. Failure to report tickets can result in policy cancellation or denied claims later.
Disputing Points or Violations
If you believe a violation was recorded incorrectly or you were wrongly convicted, you have options for challenging it. You cannot simply ask the DMV to remove points because you disagree with a ticket.
The time to fight a ticket is before conviction. Once you pay the fine or are found guilty in court, the conviction is final and the points apply automatically.
Correcting Record Errors
If your driving record shows a violation you did not commit or points that should not be there due to administrative error, contact the Colorado DMV with documentation. You may need court records, payment receipts, or other proof to support a correction request.
Mistakes happen, but the burden is on you to identify and correct them. Regularly checking your driving record helps catch errors before they cause problems.
Special Considerations for Commercial Drivers
Commercial driver’s license holders face stricter rules. Federal regulations and Colorado state law impose harsher penalties for violations committed in commercial vehicles, and some violations can disqualify you from holding a CDL.
Points assessed for violations in a personal vehicle still apply to your overall driving record and can affect your ability to maintain employment as a commercial driver. CDL holders should consult their employer and the Colorado DMV about how specific violations impact their commercial driving status.
Managing Your Driving Record Long-Term
Avoiding tickets is the most effective way to manage points. Defensive driving, obeying speed limits, maintaining your vehicle, and staying focused behind the wheel reduce your violation risk.
If you do receive a ticket, consider whether contesting it in court or accepting a plea agreement to a lesser charge makes sense. Some attorneys specialize in traffic cases and may be able to reduce charges or points in exchange for higher fines or other conditions.
Keeping Track of Your Record
Check your driving record annually even if you have not received tickets recently. Errors can appear, and knowing your point total helps you make informed decisions if you do get pulled over.
Keep copies of all tickets, court documents, and correspondence with the DMV in a safe place. These records are essential if disputes or questions arise later.
Taking Action on Your Colorado License Points
Knowing your current point total puts you in control of your driving privileges. Request your driving record from the Colorado DMV to see exactly where you stand, and if you are approaching the suspension threshold, consider taking a state-approved defensive driving course to reduce points and improve your driving skills.
Stay informed about your driving record and make safe driving a priority to protect your license and keep insurance costs manageable.
We hope this guide has clarified how the Colorado point system works and how to manage your driving record effectively. Explore more helpful Autos and Vehicles articles to stay informed about licensing, vehicle ownership, and safe driving practices.