How to find your current points balance in Colorado
You can check your Colorado driver's license points through the Colorado Department of Revenue's online portal or by visiting a driver's license office in person. The fastest method is the online system: go to the Colorado Department of Revenue website, select the driver services section, and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show your current point total and any violations on your record.
If you prefer not to use the online system, you can visit any Colorado driver's license office with your ID and ask for a copy of your driving record. There is a small fee for this printout, usually around $10 to $20. The office staff will provide a detailed report showing every violation, the points assigned to each one, and when those points will drop off your record.
You can also request your record by mail or phone through the Colorado Department of Revenue, though this takes longer than visiting in person or using the online portal. Keep a copy of your record for your own files — you may need it if you're disputing a violation or working with your insurance company.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado's online driver record system shows your current points when ready using your license number and date of birth.
- Points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation type — minor infractions drop off faster than serious ones.
- Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months triggers a mandatory suspension or revocation of your license.
- You can request a hearing to contest points if you believe a violation was issued in error or if you have mitigating circumstances.
How Colorado's point system works
Colorado assigns points to traffic violations based on how serious the offense is. A minor violation like speeding 1 to 5 miles over the limit costs 1 point. Speeding 26 miles or more over the limit costs 8 points. Reckless driving costs 8 points. Driving under the influence costs 12 points. Causing an accident while at fault costs 4 points. The more dangerous the violation, the more points you receive.
Points accumulate on your record, and Colorado tracks them over a rolling 12-month period. This means the state looks at how many points you've received in the past year, not your lifetime total. If you receive 12 or more points within any 12-month period, the Colorado Department of Revenue will suspend or revoke your license. The length of the suspension depends on whether this is your first offense and how many points you accumulated.
Points do not stay on your record forever. Most violations drop off after three years from the date of conviction. However, some serious violations like DUI or reckless driving may take longer to clear. Once a point drops off your record, it no longer counts toward the 12-point threshold.
What happens when you reach 12 points
If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, the Colorado Department of Revenue will send you a notice of suspension or revocation. For a first suspension, your license is typically suspended for at least one month. If you accumulate points again after your suspension ends, a second suspension within five years can last three months or longer. A third suspension within five years can result in a one-year revocation.
You have the right to request a hearing before your suspension takes effect. The hearing gives you a chance to explain your situation to a hearing officer — for example, if you believe the violation was issued in error, if you have a medical condition that affected your driving, or if you have other circumstances the officer should consider. To request a hearing, you must contact the Colorado Department of Revenue within a specific timeframe, usually 20 days from the date on the suspension notice.
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may be able to obtain a restricted license, but this requires a separate request and approval from the Department of Revenue.
How to reduce or remove points from your record
Colorado does not offer a point reduction program like some states do. You cannot take a defensive driving course to lower your points. However, you can contest a violation if you believe it was issued in error. If you successfully dispute the ticket in traffic court and the violation is dismissed or reduced, the points associated with that violation will not appear on your record.
Your best option for managing points is to avoid violations in the first place. If you receive a ticket, you can choose to fight it in court. Many people hire a traffic attorney to represent them, though this costs money. If you represent yourself, you can request a trial and present evidence that the violation did not occur or that the officer made an error.
If you cannot dispute the violation, the only way to clear points is to wait for them to drop off your record naturally. As mentioned, most violations drop off after three years. You can check your record periodically to confirm when points have been removed.
Understanding different violation types and their point values
Colorado groups violations into categories based on severity. Minor speeding violations (1 to 5 mph over) cost 1 point. Moderate speeding (6 to 10 mph over) costs 2 points. Higher speeding (11 to 20 mph over) costs 4 points. Excessive speeding (21 to 25 mph over) costs 6 points. Extreme speeding (26+ mph over) costs 8 points. These are the most common violations most drivers encounter.
Other common violations include following too closely (3 points), improper lane change (3 points), failure to yield (4 points), and at-fault accidents (4 points). Serious violations like reckless driving, careless driving, and DUI all cost 8 or 12 points. Habitual traffic offender violations and driving with a suspended license also carry high point values.
The point value does not change based on where you were ticketed or the officer's discretion. A speeding ticket for 15 mph over the limit is always 4 points in Colorado, whether you received it in Denver or a small town. However, the officer may have discretion in whether to issue a ticket at all or to cite you for a lesser violation.
What to do if you disagree with points on your record
If you believe points were added to your record in error, start by requesting a copy of your driving record and reviewing it carefully. Check that the violation date, location, and description match what you remember. If something is clearly wrong — for example, if the record shows a violation from a date you know you were not driving — contact the Colorado Department of Revenue with documentation of the error.
If the violation itself is correct but you believe the ticket was issued unfairly, your remedy is to contest the ticket in traffic court. You have a limited time to do this, usually 20 to 30 days from the date on the ticket. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney. If you win your case, the violation is dismissed and no points are added to your record. If the violation is already on your record, a dismissal in court can sometimes be used to request removal, though this varies by county.
If you received a ticket in another state and it appears on your Colorado record, the same process applies. Colorado participates in the Driver License Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to Colorado and added to your record. You would need to contest the ticket in the state where it was issued, not in Colorado.
How insurance companies use your points
Your insurance company can see your driving record, including all points on your license. Insurance companies use this information to set your rates. More points typically mean higher premiums. A single minor violation might increase your rate by 10 to 15 percent. Multiple violations or serious violations like DUI can double your rate or cause your insurer to drop you entirely.
Insurance companies do not use the same point system as Colorado's Department of Revenue. They have their own internal scoring systems and may weight violations differently. For example, your insurer might consider a DUI much more serious than Colorado's point system reflects. It is worth asking your insurance agent how specific violations on your record affect your rate.
Points drop off your driving record after three years, but insurance companies may continue to see them for longer. Some insurers look back five years or more. Once points are removed from your official record, you can tell your insurance company and ask for a rate review, though they may not lower your rate when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for points to disappear from my Colorado license?
Most violations drop off your record three years from the date of conviction. Some serious violations like DUI may take longer. You can check your record online to see the exact date each violation will be removed. Once the date passes, the points no longer count toward the 12-point threshold.
Can I get my license back early if it is suspended?
You may be able to obtain a restricted license that allows you to drive for specific purposes like work or medical appointments. You must request this from the Colorado Department of Revenue and provide documentation of your need. A full license reinstatement typically requires waiting out the suspension period and paying a reinstatement fee.
Do points from other states show up on my Colorado license?
Yes. Colorado is part of the Driver License Compact, which shares violation information between states. Violations you received in other states appear on your Colorado record and count toward the 12-point suspension threshold. You would need to contest the ticket in the state where it was issued if you believe it was wrong.
What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, usually one month to one year, and you can get it back once the suspension ends. A revocation is more serious and longer-lasting — your license is cancelled and you must reapply and pass tests to get a new one. Revocations typically last at least one year.
Will taking a defensive driving course lower my points?
No. Colorado does not offer a point reduction program. However, taking a defensive driving course may help you avoid future violations, and some insurance companies offer discounts for completing one. The course itself does not remove or reduce existing points on your record.