Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol carries 12 DMV demerit points in Colorado. DWAI carries 8 points. And UDD (underage drinking and driving) carries 4 points.
In addition to adding points to the defendant’s driving record, a DUI or UDD causes an automatic license suspension. A first-time DWAI case does not cause the person’s license to be suspended (unless the 8 points put the driver’s license over the limit).
What are DMV points in Colorado?
Most moving traffic violations under Colorado law carry not only fines and possible jail time – they also cause demerit points to be added to the person’s license. If drivers accrue too many points from moving violations in a certain time period, the Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend their license for six months to one year. The DMV hearing officer has discretion over how long the suspension will be.
Examples of non-DUI traffic offenses and their assigned Colorado driver’s license point values are:
- Leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run): 12
- Speed contests: 12
- Evading an officer: 12
- Reckless driving: 8
- Failure to stop for a school bus: 6
- Careless driving: 4
- Improper passing: 4
- Failure to show proof of insurance: 4
- Failure to yield right-of-way: 3
- Speeding traffic ticket infractions: 1-12, depending on MPH over the speed limit
How many points trigger a license suspension in Colorado?
It depends on the age of the driver and whether he/she is a chauffeur:
|
Driver |
Number of points that trigger a Colorado suspension of driving privileges |
| Adult drivers age 21 years old or older |
|
| Minor drivers ages 18-, 19-, or 20-years old |
|
| Minor drivers under 18 years of age |
|
| Chauffeurs (professional drivers, including taxi drivers) |
The points must have been incurred during the course of the defendant’s employment. |
How long will I lose my license after a DUI in Colorado?
It depends on the specific DUI offense and whether the defendant has any prior DUI offenses. And as mentioned above, first-time DWAIs do not carry an automatic license suspension.
|
Driving under the influence offense |
Length of license revocation |
| DUI (or DUI per se) |
|
| DWAI (driving with ability impaired) |
|
| UDD |
|
| Chemical test refusal (not taking a breath or blood test following a DUI arrest by a police officer) |
|
Note that it may be possible to get early reinstatement of the driver’s license after one month (or 2 months if the defendant refused to take a chemical test). And the defendant will be required to drive with an ignition interlock device in the motor vehicle for one year or for the remainder of the point suspension period (whichever is longer).
Call our law firm for legal advice. Our criminal defense attorneys offer free consultations.
Our law office is based in Denver, but we create attorney-client relationships throughout the state of Colorado, including Colorado Springs.
Legal References
- CRS 42-2-127.
- 1 CCR 211-3.
- CRS 42-4-1301.
- Division of Motor Vehicles / Colorado Department of Revenue
