Colorado License Points: What Tickets Cost and How to Cut Them

Start here: what common tickets cost

Subsection (5) of statute 42-2-127 holds the schedule. Going a few miles over, under five, costs nothing. The next band, five through nine over, costs a single point. Ten through nineteen over jumps to four, twenty through thirty nine over is six, and forty or more over is a full twelve. Four point offenses include tailgating, careless driving, blowing a sign or signal, and an unsafe pass.

Improper turns and failing to yield cost three. Not signaling and backing improperly cost two, and so does a seat belt ticket for a driver under 18 when they or any passenger is unbuckled. An adult's seat belt ticket adds no points. Being unable to show proof of insurance costs four. The heavy hitters: eight for DWAI or reckless driving, and twelve for DUI, fleeing police, street racing, or driving away from a crash.

Picture an adult with a 4 point careless driving conviction in March and a 6 point ticket for 22 over in September. That is 10 points within 12 months; one more 4 point ticket before March comes around again would cross the 12 point line.

• Speed 5 through 9 over: one point
• Speed 10 through 19 over: four
• Speed 20 through 39 over: six
• Speed 40 or more over: twelve
• Careless driving: four
• Not yielding: three
• Reckless driving: eight
• DUI or leaving an accident: twelve

New for August 2026: extra points for fast and repeat speeding

SB26-035 covers violations from August 12, 2026. For speeding by 20 mph or more, or going faster than 75 mph, the DMV adds two points to a second offense within a year, four to a third within two years, and eight to a fifth within five years. Hitting 100 mph or more adds four points on top of the regular value.

Passing illegally where passing is barred now has its own six point value under that law. And repeat speeders swept up by these rules are summoned to court, not handed a payable ticket, which takes the early payment discount off the table.

How many points before suspension, by age

Once you are 21, the suspension trigger is a dozen points in a single year or eighteen across two. Drivers 18 through 20 get less slack: nine in one year, twelve across two, or fourteen in total from the 18th birthday to the 21st.

A driver aged 17 or younger loses the license at six in a year, or seven ever, before the 18th birthday. Paid chauffeurs who can document that each ticket was earned while working get more room: sixteen over one year, twenty four over two, twenty eight over four.

If you want fewer points: what actually works

First, on time payment of a state penalty assessment, which knocks two off a ticket worth three or more and one off a two pointer; local governments are free to offer the same deal on their own tickets. Second, a negotiated plea, which can swap your charge for a lower point one.

Third, potentially, the HB24-1250 course waiver, whose limits on points and frequency come from Department of Revenue rules. Verify with the DMV that claims are actually being processed before relying on it.

If you reach the limit: the hearing and the red license

Hit a limit and a suspension must follow; what remains open is how long. A Department of Revenue hearing officer starts at half a year, may go as high as twelve months, and weighs repeat offenses, collisions and any proof that you now drive more carefully.

Drivers who depend on the car for school, a job or something similar can ask the officer for a probationary license, nicknamed the red license. It only works inside Colorado. Any moving violation voids it, and a voided red license obliges you to carry SR22 coverage for three years after you are reinstated.

Over time: how long points count and how to check

Each point is dated to the offense and ages out of the rolling one and two year counts, though the conviction entry never disappears from your history. Two record types are sold: seven years, or everything.

Request one on myDMV, mail in form DR 2559, or ask at an office. The January 2026 revision of form DR 2489 puts the price at $9.25 uncertified and $10.25 certified.