If you have a Colorado driver’s license, you can check how many DMV points you have from past traffic violations by ordering a copy of your driving record. Requesting your driving record costs $9 (or $10 for a certified record).
1. How many points are on my license?
You can easily check how many points are on your Colorado license either online, in person, or through the mail:
Check your Colorado DMV points online
Go to the Colorado DMV website to request a driving record. You will need to input your:
- name,
- date of birth,
- last four digits of your social security number,
- email address, and
- credit card number.
The entire process of ordering a driving record online takes five to 10 minutes.
Check your DMV points in person
Go in person to any Colorado DMV branch during business hours. Be sure to phone ahead of time to see if it is necessary to make an appointment.
The Colorado DMV office will provide a record request form to fill out. Be sure to bring your driver’s license and your social security number. Most DMVs accept
- cash,
- credit cards,
- checks, or
- money orders.
Though call ahead of time to confirm. Once you submit the form, the entire process takes five to 10 minutes.
Check your DMV points by mail
Complete the Colorado DMV record request form and specify whether you want a certified or non-certified copy. Any check or money order should be made out to the Colorado Department of Revenue. The request form and money must be mailed to:
Colorado Department of Revenue
Division of Motor Vehicles
Driver Control Section
1881 Pierce Street
Lakewood, CO 80214
Once you mail the letter, the DMV should respond within a two-week period of time.
You can purchase your DMV driving records to check your points.
2. What is the driver’s license point system?
The Colorado DMV assigns demerit points following a traffic offense or moving violation. The number of points is proportional to the severity of the traffic misdemeanor of a traffic infraction.
Common traffic law driving offenses and their point values are the following:
| Colorado Traffic Violation | Number of Points Added to your Driver’s License |
| Driving Under The Influence (DUI or DUI Per Se) | 12 |
| Leaving The Scene Of An Accident (Hit-And-Run) | 12 |
| Speed Contests | 12 |
| Evading An Officer | 12 |
| Reckless Driving | 8 |
| DWAI | 8 |
| Underage Drinking and Driving (UDD) | 4 |
| Improper Passing Traffic Tickets | 4 |
| Careless Driving | 4 |
| Failure To Show Proof Of Insurance | 4 |
For instance, failure to stop for a school bus carries six points. Improper passing or failure to show proof of insurance carries four points. Making an improper turn in violation of the traffic law carries three points.
Speeding traffic tickets carry one to 12 points depending on where it occurred and how fast you were going beyond the speed limit. The worse the traffic violation, the more points the speeding ticket carries under Colorado law.1
3. How many points cause a Colorado license suspension?
Accruing too many DMV points in a 12-to-24 month period of consecutive months will trigger an automatic license suspension. The point limit turns on whether you are an adult driver or a minor driver and whether you are a chauffeur.
| Colorado driver’s license holder | Number of DMV points that trigger a point suspension |
| Age 21+ |
|
| Age 18-20 |
|
| Under 18 |
|
| Chauffeurs (such as taxi drivers) |
*The license-holder has the burden to show these points were incurred during the course of employment as a chauffeur.2 |
You are entitled to a DMV hearing to contest the revocation of your driving privileges. If you lose, the hearing officer decides whether your suspension will last six months or one year.3
You may be able to get a probationary driver’s license (PDL) to drive for work and school during the suspension period. Learn more about the reinstatement of driving privileges.4
4. How do points affect my car insurance?
Insurance companies may increase your auto liability premiums if you pick up points on your license. They figure the more traffic violations you have, the higher the safety risk you pose.
Every insurer is different, and a minor speeding ticket usually will not affect your rates. Though major violations – especially if they result in accidents – will always result in a significant rate hike.
Additional resources
Find helpful information from the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicle website:
- Point Suspensions – Explanation of how accruing points can trigger a license suspension.
- Driver Services – Frequently Asked Questions.
- Hearing Forms – Forms to request a DMV hearing.
- Auto Insurance – Overview of Colorado car insurance laws.
- Interlock Devices – Overview of when interlock devices are required for you to drive.
- Motor Vehicle Record – How to get a copy of your driving history.
Also see our Denver and Colorado Springs law firm’s related articles, How many points on a Colorado license trigger a license suspension?, How long do points stay on your license in Colorado?, and How long does it take to get points off your license in the state of Colorado?
Legal References
- CRS 42-2-127. See Jackson v. Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Div. (Court of Appeals of Colorado, Division A, 1990) 791 P.2d 1206
- Point Suspensions, Colorado DMV.
- Alcohol and Drug Related Offenses, Colorado DMV. CRS 42-2-126.
- CRS 42-2-127. 1 CCR 211-3. See note 1.
