You can find your current points through the Colorado Department of Revenue website or by calling their driver services line

Colorado tracks points on your driving record when you get certain traffic violations. The number of points depends on what violation you received — a speeding ticket adds fewer points than a reckless driving conviction. At 21, you are subject to the same point system as any adult driver in the state.

To see exactly how many points are on your record right now, go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's online driver record lookup at dmv.colorado.gov. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The site shows your current point total and lists each violation that added points. If you prefer to call, the driver services line at 303-205-5600 can pull your record over the phone, though there may be a wait time.

Your record is not permanent. Points stay on your driving history for a set time depending on the violation type, then they drop off automatically. Understanding what points you have now and when they expire helps you know whether you are close to suspension and what happens if you get another ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado tracks points for traffic violations, and you can check your total through the DMV website or by phone at 303-205-5600.
  • Different violations add different point amounts — minor infractions like speeding add 1 to 4 points, while serious violations like DUI add 8 to 12 points.
  • If you reach 12 points within 12 months, your license is suspended for at least one month.
  • Points expire and drop from your record after a set period, usually 3 to 7 years depending on the violation.

How Colorado's point system works

Colorado assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A minor speeding ticket (1 to 19 mph over the limit) is 1 point. Speeding 20 to 39 mph over the limit is 4 points. Reckless driving is 8 points. A DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) is 12 points. Careless driving, following too closely, and improper lane changes are typically 4 points each.

The state uses a 12-month rolling window. If you accumulate 12 or more points in any 12-month period, your license is automatically suspended. The suspension lasts at least one month for a first offense. If you get suspended again within five years, the second suspension is at least three months.

Points do not disappear when ready after a violation. A 1-point violation stays on your record for three years. A 4-point violation stays for five years. An 8-point or 12-point violation stays for seven years. This means an old ticket can still count toward the 12-point threshold if you get another ticket before the points expire.

What happens if you reach 12 points

Once you hit 12 points, the Colorado DMV sends you a notice of suspension. Your license is suspended starting on a date the DMV specifies — usually about 10 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even to work or medical appointments, unless you obtain a hardship license.

A hardship license lets you drive for specific purposes like work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs. You have to request it in writing and show that the suspension causes genuine hardship. The DMV does not automatically grant hardship licenses, and approval can take several weeks.

After the suspension ends, you can drive again, but your record still shows the points. If you get another violation before those points expire, you can be suspended again — and the second suspension is longer.

How to lower your points through traffic school

Colorado allows you to remove up to 3 points from your record by completing an approved traffic education course, also called traffic school. You can do this once every 12 months. The course is usually four to eight hours long and can be taken online or in person.

You must take the course before you pay the ticket fine or plead guilty. Once you have paid or pleaded, you lose the right to traffic school for that ticket. Contact the court listed on your ticket to ask whether traffic school is available for your specific violation — not all violations may have access to.

The course costs between $30 and $100 depending on the provider. After you complete it, you submit proof to the court. The court then dismisses the ticket or reduces the points, and the violation does not appear on your driving record.

Points and insurance rates

Insurance companies in Colorado can see your driving record, including points and violations. Even one point can raise your premium. A 4-point violation like reckless driving or careless driving typically increases your rate by 15 to 30 percent. An 8-point or 12-point violation can increase your rate by 50 percent or more, and some insurers will not renew your policy at all.

The rate increase usually lasts three to five years, even after the points drop from your DMV record. Insurance companies use their own tracking systems and may keep violations on file longer than the state does. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers after a violation can help you find better rates.

Checking your record before you need to

Even if you have not received a suspension notice, it is worth checking your record once a year. Errors happen — a ticket might be recorded under the wrong violation code, or points might not have been removed after they expired. If you spot an error, contact the court that issued the ticket and ask for a correction.

If you are close to 12 points, you now know exactly how much room you have. A single 4-point violation would push you over the limit. This is the time to drive extra carefully and consider taking a traffic school course to remove points before you get another ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for points to drop off my record?

Points expire based on the violation type. A 1-point violation expires after three years. A 4-point violation expires after five years. An 8-point or 12-point violation expires after seven years. The clock starts from the date of the violation, not the date you paid the fine.

Can I get points removed without going to traffic school?

No. Traffic school is the only way to remove points before they naturally expire. You cannot negotiate with the DMV or the court to remove points early. Once you complete an approved course, up to 3 points are removed, and you can repeat this once per 12 months.

What is the difference between points and a suspension?

Points are a record of violations that accumulate over time. A suspension is a penalty that happens when you reach 12 points in 12 months — it means you cannot legally drive. You can have points on your record without being suspended, but if points reach 12, suspension follows automatically.

Does a ticket from another state add points to my Colorado license?

Yes. Colorado is part of the Driver License Compact, an agreement between most states to share traffic violation information. A speeding ticket you got in another state will appear on your Colorado record and count toward the 12-point suspension threshold.

Can I dispute points that are already on my record?

You can dispute the ticket itself by fighting it in court, but you cannot dispute points that have already been assessed. If you were convicted of the violation, the points stand. Your only option is traffic school to remove up to 3 points, or waiting for them to expire naturally.