Points, tickets and licence suspension in Colorado

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the point limits for drivers under 18, 18 to 20, and 21 and over.
• You can give the points for common violations.
• You can explain that points on a permit carry over to your license.
• You can describe how GDL violations add points.
• You can explain why points are based on the date of the violation.

What you need to know and understand

• Under 18: more than 5 points in any 12 months, or more than 6 points in total before turning 18, can lead to suspension.
• Ages 18 to 20: 9 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 14 points for violations after turning 18.
• Age 21 and over: 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months.
• Points earned on an instruction permit carry over to your later license.
• Time periods are counted from the date of the violation, but points are added only after conviction.
• When a driver under 18 gets a traffic summons, the court notifies the parent or guardian.
• No suspension happens until a hearing is held or the driver fails to appear for one.

Common points to know

• Speeding 5 to 9 mph over: 1 point; 10 to 19 over: 4 points; 20 to 39 over: 6 points; 40 or more over: 12 points
• Failing to stop for a school bus: 6 points
• Following too closely, improper passing or careless driving: 4 points each
• Running a stop sign or signal: 4 points
• Failing to yield to a pedestrian: 4 points
• Failure to yield right of way or an improper turn: 3 points
• No proof of insurance: 4 points
• Reckless driving: 8 points; leaving the scene of an accident: 12 points
• Driving 100 mph or more: 4 extra points on top of the speeding points (for violations from August 12, 2026)

Extra points that only hit young drivers

Colorado adds points for breaking teen-specific rules. Driving with an unauthorized passenger under 21 or during the midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew adds 2 points. Seat belt violations by an under-18 driver and carrying more passengers than belts each add 2 points. Hands-free law violations, which apply to drivers of every age, add 2 points for a first offense, rising to 3 and then 4 for repeats within 24 months.

Do the math: a 16-year-old who gets a 4-point speeding ticket and then a 2-point curfew ticket has 6 points, which is more than 5 in 12 months and puts the license at risk.

If you are facing suspension

You have the right to a hearing before the DMV suspends you for points, and you must respond to any notice by its deadline. The DMV can also deny a license for up to 12 months to an applicant who drove illegally, such as without a permit or in breach of permit rules, within the previous 36 months. Our Colorado points system guide for teens has worked examples.

Common mistakes

• Thinking permit-stage tickets do not count; they follow you to your license.
• Paying a ticket without realizing that paying is usually admitting the violation and accepting the points.
• Ignoring a hearing notice from the DMV.
• Assuming adult point limits apply to you before you turn 21.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Colorado

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Colorado Points System
• Colorado Teen License Restrictions, Curfew and Penalties
• Colorado 30-Hour Driver Ed vs 4-Hour Driver Awareness Course