What a Colorado driving record contains and who can see it
Your Colorado driving record is a document maintained by the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It lists your traffic violations, accidents, license suspensions, points, and convictions over a set period — typically the last three to five years for most purposes, though some records go back longer.
Colorado distinguishes between your complete driving record (which you and law enforcement can see) and your public record (which insurers, employers, and others can request). Your complete record shows more detail, including minor violations and dismissed charges. The public version typically shows only convictions and serious violations that affect your driving privileges.
Insurance companies, potential employers, and rental car agencies can request your record if you give them permission. Law enforcement can access it during traffic stops. You can also request your own record at any time to check for errors or to see what others might see about you.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado maintains two versions of your driving record: a complete version you can see and a public version that insurers and employers can request with your consent.
- You can obtain a copy of your own record online through the Colorado DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
- Traffic violations stay on your record for three to five years in most cases, though serious violations like DUIs remain longer.
- Points from violations accumulate and can trigger license suspension if you reach 12 points within 12 months or 18 points within 24 months.
- You can dispute errors on your record by contacting the Colorado DMV with documentation from the court or law enforcement agency involved.
How to order your own driving record online or by mail
The fastest way to get your record is through the Colorado DMV's online portal. Visit the DMV website, select "Driving Records," and choose the option to order your own record. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. The online system typically delivers your record within one business day, sometimes the same day.
If you prefer not to order online, you can request your record by mail. Send a written request to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, with your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a check or money order for the fee. Include a return address and allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. You can also visit a DMV office in person with your ID and request a copy on the spot, though wait times vary by location.
The fee for your own driving record is typically under $10, though the exact amount varies. Check the Colorado DMV website for the current fee before ordering, as it may change.
What violations and points mean on your Colorado record
Colorado uses a point system to track driving violations. Each type of violation carries a set number of points. A speeding ticket might be 4 points, a reckless driving conviction 8 points, and a DUI 12 points. These points accumulate over time and directly affect your driving privileges.
If you reach 12 points within a 12-month period, the DMV will suspend your license for at least one month. If you reach 18 points within 24 months, suspension is automatic. You can reduce points through traffic safety school — completing an approved course removes 4 points from your record, but you can only use this option once every 12 months and only if you have not had a prior traffic safety school completion in the past five years.
Serious violations like DUI, reckless driving, and hit-and-run convictions carry heavier consequences than minor speeding or equipment violations. A DUI conviction, for example, triggers a mandatory license revocation (not just suspension) and stays on your record for at least 10 years.
How long violations stay on your Colorado record
Most traffic violations remain on your driving record for three to five years from the date of conviction. This means an insurer checking your record three years after a speeding ticket may still see it, but after five years it typically falls off the public record.
Serious violations have longer retention periods. A DUI conviction stays on your record for at least 10 years. Reckless driving convictions and at-fault accidents also remain visible longer than minor violations. If you have multiple violations within a short period, the oldest ones may drop off while newer ones are still active, which can affect your insurance rates and license status.
The retention period is measured from the date of conviction, not the date of the violation itself. If you were ticketed in January but convicted in March, the clock starts in March.
Disputing errors on your driving record
If you believe your record contains an error — a violation you did not commit, a conviction that was dismissed, or incorrect point totals — you can dispute it with the Colorado DMV. Start by obtaining a copy of your complete record so you know exactly what needs to be corrected.
Contact the Colorado DMV in writing with the specific error, your driver's license number, and documentation supporting your claim. This might be a court document showing a dismissal, a letter from the prosecutor, or a police report. The DMV will investigate and contact the court or law enforcement agency that reported the violation. This process typically takes 30 to 60 days.
If the error originated with a court or law enforcement agency rather than the DMV itself, you may need to work with that agency directly to correct the record at the source. The DMV can only remove information that is factually incorrect; they cannot remove a valid conviction straightforward because you disagree with it.
What employers and insurers see when they check your record
When an employer or insurance company requests your driving record with your consent, they receive the public version, which is less detailed than your complete record. The public version typically shows convictions, serious violations, license suspensions, and at-fault accidents. Minor violations that did not result in conviction may not appear.
Insurance companies use your record to calculate rates and determine whether to cover you. A single speeding ticket might raise your premium slightly; a DUI conviction can double or triple it. Employers in positions requiring driving — delivery drivers, commercial drivers, rideshare operators — will scrutinize your record closely. A pattern of violations or a recent DUI may disqualify you from the job.
You have the right to know what information was used to make a decision about you. If an employer or insurer denies you based on your driving record, ask them to provide a copy of the record they reviewed so you can verify its accuracy.
License suspension and how to restore driving privileges
Reaching the point threshold (12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months) triggers an automatic license suspension. The DMV will mail you a notice stating the suspension period, which is typically one month for a first suspension. During suspension, you cannot legally drive.
To restore your license after suspension, you must wait out the suspension period and then contact the Colorado DMV. You may be required to pay a reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $150) and provide proof of insurance. Some suspensions also require you to pass a written test or driving test before reinstatement.
A DUI conviction results in license revocation, which is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process. This is more serious than suspension and typically requires a hearing, proof of completion of a DUI education program, and proof of insurance before you can drive again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a copy of my driving record?
The fee is typically under $10 for your own record ordered online or by mail. Certified copies may cost slightly more. Check the Colorado DMV website for the exact current fee, as it can change. Ordering online is usually the fastest and cheapest option.
Can I remove a violation from my record before it expires naturally?
You cannot remove a valid conviction, but you can reduce points through traffic safety school once every 12 months, which removes 4 points. If a violation was dismissed or you were found not guilty, you can request that the court send a certified dismissal to the DMV to have it removed from your record.
Will a ticket I got out of state show up on my Colorado record?
Yes, if you were convicted. Colorado participates in the Interstate Compact on Driver's License Compact, which means violations in other states are reported to Colorado and added to your record. Points from out-of-state violations count toward your Colorado point total.
How long does it take to get my record if I order it online?
Online orders typically arrive within one business day, sometimes the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at a DMV office are usually available when ready, though you may wait in line depending on how busy the office is.
What should I do if my record shows a violation I was not convicted of?
Contact the Colorado DMV in writing with the violation details and documentation from the court showing the case was dismissed or you were found not guilty. Include your driver's license number and a copy of your record showing the error. The DMV will investigate and work with the court to correct it.