Colorado Traffic Law
Drivers in Colorado have a responsibility to know and obey Colorado traffic law. A summary of Colorado driving law is presented here for your convenience.
Colorado Point System
As a driver, you start out with a clean record, no points against you.
Under Colorado driving law, if you accumulate too many points against your driving record within a certain period of time, you will lose your driver license through a point suspension.
Each time you are convicted of a Colorado traffic law violation, the court notifies the Motor Vehicle Division.
A conviction for a violation of Colorado driving law occurs when you plead guilty, pay the ticket, or accept a plea bargain. Each type of conviction causes a certain number of points to be placed on your traffic record. Points assessed against your record are not erased when you get a new license or get reinstated.
Under Colorado traffic law, the number of point accumulations for suspension are:
UNDER THE AGE OF 18
- 6 points in 12 consecutive months.
- 7 points prior to turning 18
Minor Driver (18 years or older)
- 9 points in any 12 consecutive months.
- 12 points in any 24 consecutive months.
- 14 or more points between the ages of 18-21.
Adult Driver (over 21)
- 12 points in any 12 consecutive months.
- 18 points in any 24 consecutive months.
Points Assessed for Each Violation or Conviction
Under Colorado traffic law, each of the violations or convictions shown below will result in an assessment of points as indicated:
- Leaving scene of accident - 12
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs - 12
- Driving while ability is impaired by alcohol - 12
- Speed contests - 12
- Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer - 12
- Speeding over posted limit
- 59 m.p.h. - 1
- 1019 m.p.h. - 4
- 2039 m.p.h. - 6
- 40or more m.p.h. - 12
- Reckless driving - 8
- Failure to stop for a school bus - 6
- Failure to yield to emergency vehicle - 4
- Careless driving - 4
- Driving on wrong side of road - 4
- Failure to maintain or show proof of insurance - 4
- Improper passing - 4
- Failure to observe traffic sign or signal - 4
- Failure to yield right-of-way - 3
- Improper turn - 3
- Driving through safety zone - 3
- Driving in wrong lane or direction on one-way street - 3
- Failure to signal or improper signal - 2
- Improper backing - 2
- Failure to dim or turn on lights - 2
- Operating an unsafe vehicle - 2
Your Driving Privilege May Be Suspended, Revoked or Canceled if You...
- Meet or exceed the minimum point accumulation for suspension.
- Are convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Refuse to be tested for alcohol or drug content.
- Are convicted of failing to report an accident or leaving the scene of an accident without stopping, exchanging information, and rendering aid.
- Fail to report an accident to the Colorado Motor Vehicle division according to the Financial Responsibility Law.
- Give false information on your driver license application.
- Fail to settle a judgment against you as a result of an accident while operating a vehicle.
- Lend your license to someone else or misuse it in any way.
- Alter or deface your license.
- Fail to appear for a re-examination requested by the Motor Vehicle Division.
- Are convicted of manslaughter as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
- Fail to pay a fine for a Colorado violation or a traffic violation from any other state.
- Fail to register, in Colorado, all vehicles owned within 30 days of becoming a resident.
- Are convicted of defacing public or private property.
- Fail to pay ordered child support.
- Fail to provide valid evidence of insurance when requested by a law enforcement officer.
According to Colorado traffic law, if you are convicted of driving while under restraint, your driving privilege will be suspended again effective for ONE YEAR from the date you would have been reinstated.
For more information on Colorado traffic law, please visit the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
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