Suspended – Revoked License in Colorado

Fines and Fees

Suspended license: $500 – $1,500

Insurance

Insurance Increase – $342.76

Total policy increase – $1,028.28

Ticket Counsel Customers

Suspended license: $0 – $399

SUSPENDED LICENSE INFORMATION FOR COLORADO

(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your Colorado driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN COLORADO

There are a variety of reasons why your Colorado driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Colorado driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Colorado operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. An excess of points during a specific amount of time, depending on your age, will lead to a suspension of your driver’s license:
21 years old and older: 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months.
18 to 20 years old: 9 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, 14 points regardless of time.
Under 18 years old: 6 points in 12 months, 7 points regardless of time.

If your driver’s license is suspended due to points, you will be notified by mail and given a hearing date. If you do not attend your hearing, your suspension will be automatically suspended for 1 year. You may request a hearing while your license is suspended.

Driving Under the Influence: Your Colorado driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or if you refuse to test for blood alcohol content. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. You have 7 days after your revocation to request a hearing at a driver’s license office.
Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 days and be fined up to $500. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Colorado must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Colorado driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The DMV can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive based on written information received from a doctor, a law enforcement agency, a court, or an immediate family member. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a DMV notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.

CHECK YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course.

ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR COLORADO DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. Things to be aware of following a license suspension:

You will receive a notice from the Division of Motor Vehicles informing you of your impending license suspension. The notice will give you details of the first and last dates of your suspension and detail any steps that you may have to perform to reinstate your license.
While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 days, fined up to $500, and/or the length of your suspension may be increased.

You will not receive a written notice of restoration from the DMV. Once your suspension period is over and/or you have taken the necessary steps outlined in your suspension notice, you can apply for restoration.

OBTAIN A RESTRICTED LICENSE IN COLORADO

Probationary licenses are usually given to Colorado drivers who have points suspensions or child support suspensions. A probationary license will allow you to drive for limited purposes, typically involving driving to and from work.

You may be issued a probationary license during your suspension hearing. If you have not had your hearing, you will need to contact the DMV hearing office at (303) 205-5606.

COLORADO SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If you receive a notice of suspension from the DMV, and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. A Hearing Officer will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended, and the length of the suspension. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program.

Completing a Driver Improvement Program may remove points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. It is also a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.

REINSTATE YOUR COLORADO DRIVER’S LICENSE

Once you have served your term of suspension and/or completed the corrective action as required by the DMV or court, you can apply for restoration of your driving privileges. The reinstatement process may differ depending on the reason for your license suspension. To find out what steps you need to take to reinstate your license you can request your reinstatement requirements: Online at the CO DMV website or by phone at (303) 205-5613.

Generally, you will need to download and complete an Application for Reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee of $95.

If this is the only restrain action against you, you can apply in person at the nearest full service Driver’s License Office or mail the application along with a check or money order made out to the Department of Revenue to the following address:

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

DRIVER CONTROL REINSTATEMENT

P.O. BOX 173345,

DENVER, CO 80217-3345

Some full service license offices will process your reinstatement in person for certain suspensions including:

Unpaid tickets suspensions.
Failure to pay child support suspensions.
Point suspensions.

The CO DMV website notes the offices that will not process reinstatements.

If your license was revoked, you must apply for a new license.

REINSTATEMENT AFTER DUI

Since a DUI or even a refusal to test for DUI results in a revocation of your driver’s license, you will have to apply and test for a brand new driver’s license once eligible.

Some drivers, upon first offense, may be eligible for early reinstatement on the condition of installation of an interlock system that will test a driver’s breath for alcohol before vehicle ignition.

If you have lost your driving privileges due to an alcohol-related offense, CO law requires you to participate in a state-approved alcohol course before reinstatement of your license.

For further information on reinstatement procedures visit the Reinstatement Information section at the DMV website.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN COLORADO

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. Offenses leading to Colorado CDL disqualification are outlined below, and generally fall into the following categories:

Major offenses.
Serious traffic violations.
Railroad highway grade crossing offenses.
Violations of out-of-service orders.

Major Offenses:

Major offenses can lead to suspension of your license, whether you’re driving a CMV or non-CMV at the time of the offense. Major offenses include:

Alcohol- and drug-related offenses, such as: Operating your vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) higher than 0.04% or refusing a blood or breath test upon request.
Fleeing from the scene of an accident.
Using the commercial vehicle (CMV) to commit a felony, including the manufacturing and distributing of a controlled substance.
Causing a death due to negligent CMV operation.
Operating a commercial vehicle without a valid CDL (one that is disqualified, suspended, or revoked).

Major Offense Penalties:

1st violation: Disqualification for 1 year. (3 years if transporting hazardous materials.)
2nd violation: Lifetime disqualification.
A major violation involving conviction of a felony for transporting controlled substances in a CMV will result in disqualification for life.

Serious Traffic Violations:

If you commit serious traffic violations, you face license suspension and CDL disqualification. Serious offenses include:

Excessive speeding or reckless driving.
Making improper lane changes.
Following other vehicles too closely.
Violating any motor vehicle traffic control law that causes a fatality. (Does not apply to parking violations.)
Operating a CMV without a CDL, without a CDL on your person, or without the proper CDL endorsements.

Serious Traffic Violation Penalties:

Your CDL will be disqualified after your:

2nd violation in 3 years: 60 days.
3rd violation in 3 years: 120 days.

Railroad Crossing Violations:

Railroad highway grade crossing violations involve offenses that happen as you cross a railroad while operating a CMV. Railroad crossing violations include, but are not limited to:

Failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear.
Failing to stop when required.
Driving across the tracks when there is not sufficient space for the CMV.

Railroad Crossing Violations Penalties:

1st violation: Minimum disqualification of 60 days.
2nd violation within 3 years: Minimum disqualification of 120 days.
3rd violation or more within 3 years: Minimum disqualification of 1 year.

Out-of-Service Violation Penalties:

If you violate an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials, you face the following penalties:

90 days upon your 1st offense.
1 year upon your 2nd offense within 10 years.
3 years upon your 3rd offense within 10 years.

CHECK YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE (CDL) STATUS

Because your CDL is so essential to your career, you should consider always being aware of what exactly is in your driving history by ordering your Colorado driving record. Your driving record lists a history of your suspensions, traffic violations, and more. Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course.

COLORADO CDL SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

The Colorado DMV will allow you to request a hearing to contest a CDL suspension for most cases. However, for court convictions resulting in disqualifications, the DMV will only hear issues that involve incorrect reporting of a conviction. To request a hearing, you must visit a Colorado DMV location.

REINSTATE YOUR COLORADO CDL

The process for reinstating your CDL is specific to your driving history and the reason for your license suspension. In most cases, you must wait until your disqualification period has terminated. Early reinstatements and temporary licenses are not granted for CDL disqualifications.

To find out what steps you need to take to reinstate your license, you can request your reinstatement requirements: Online at the CO DMV website or by phone at (303) 205-5613.