If your Colorado driver license has been suspended or revoked, you must complete the reinstatement process before you can legally drive again. This page explains the different types of license restrictions, general requirements such as SR-22 insurance, and the specific steps to reinstate your license based on your situation.
Understanding Your License Status
When you lose your driving privileges, it falls into one of these categories:
- Suspension: A temporary withdrawal of your driving privilege. Once your suspension period is over and you reinstate, your valid license can be re-issued (or renewed if it has expired).
- Revocation: A mandatory, total loss of your driving privilege. A revoked license is invalid and cannot be reissued. Once you complete your revocation period and are reinstated, you must retake the written and driving tests to obtain a new license.
- Denial: A restraint action taken when you do not currently hold a valid license.
- Cancellation: An action to void a license (often due to errors or medical reasons).
Note: When you reinstate your driving privileges, you will be required to purchase a new license.
Common Reinstatement Terms and Requirements
Before looking at your specific scenario below, it helps to understand a few common requirements:
- SR-22 Insurance: An SR-22 is a special rider added to your auto liability insurance policy. It is not a policy itself, but a guarantee from your insurance company to the DMV that you will keep your insurance active. If you cancel your insurance, the provider will notify the DMV, and your license will be suspended.
- Outstanding Judgment Warrant (OJW): An OJW is issued when you have outstanding court fees or requirements. For OJWs from before 2022, paying a reinstatement fee to the DMV will clear it. For OJWs after 12/31/2021, you must pay the court directly.
- Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC): If you receive a ticket in another state and fail to pay it, that state will notify Colorado, and your Colorado license will be suspended. You must pay the out-of-state court, get an NRVC compliance statement, and submit it to the Colorado DMV with a reinstatement fee.
- Alcohol Hearing Evidence: If you request a hearing for an alcohol-related offense, the DMV scans the original evidence packet from law enforcement. You will be mailed a courtesy copy before your hearing.
Select Your Reinstatement Situation
- I accumulated too many points on my license
- Suspension Rules: You can lose your license if you accumulate:
- Adults (21+): 12 points in 12 months, or 18 points in 24 months.
- Minor (18 through 20): 9 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 14+ points before age 21.
- Minor (Under 18): 6 points in 12 months, or 7 points before turning 18.
- To Reinstate: Serve your suspension period, pay the $95 reinstatement fee, complete the Application for Reinstatement (DR 2870), and provide evidence of current auto insurance.
- Suspension Rules: You can lose your license if you accumulate:
- I failed to pay a traffic ticket (in Colorado or out-of-state)
- To Reinstate: You must first contact the court listed on your notice and pay the ticket. Request a "Compliance from the Court" document. Submit this document along with your Application for Reinstatement (DR 2870) and the $95 fee to the DMV.
- I fell behind on child support payments
- To Reinstate: You must work with the State Child Support Enforcement Unit. Once you are compliant, they will electronically notify the DMV. You must then submit the Application for Reinstatement (DR 2870) and pay the $95 fee.
- I was stopped with a BAC between .02 and .05 (Zero Tolerance)
- Revocation Rules: 3 months for a 1st offense, 6 months for a 2nd offense, 1 year for 3+ offenses.
- To Reinstate: Pay the $95 reinstatement fee and $25 DUI restoration fee. Submit the Certification Form (DR 2598) and the Application for Reinstatement. For a 2nd or 3rd offense, you must also hold SR-22 insurance for 6 to 12 months.
- I was convicted of a DUI or DWAI
- Revocation Rules: 1-year revocation.
- To Reinstate: Pay the $95 reinstatement fee and $25 DUI restoration fee. You must complete a Level 1 alcohol education course (provide the Discharge/Referral Summary), maintain SR-22 insurance for 1 to 3 years, and retake your written and driving tests.
- I was ticketed for underage purchasing or possession of alcohol
- To Reinstate: If your license was revoked for failing to complete a court-ordered treatment program on a 1st offense (3-month restraint), you must submit the Application for Reinstatement (DR 2870), pay the $95 fee, and retake the written and driving tests.
- I was stopped with a BAC of .08 or higher (1st offense)
- Revocation Rules: 9-month revocation.
- Early Reinstatement: For offenses on or after Jan 1, 2023, you can apply for early reinstatement on the first day your revocation goes active if you install an Ignition Interlock Device.
- To Reinstate: Pay the $95 reinstatement fee and $25 DUI restoration fee. Maintain SR-22 insurance for 9 months (3 years if an accident or high BAC was involved). Submit an Interlock lease/installation agreement and an Affidavit of Enrollment in Level 2 Alcohol and Drug Education and Treatment.
- I was stopped with a BAC of .08 or higher (multiple offenses)
- Revocation Rules: 1 year for a 2nd offense, 2 years for a 3rd offense.
- To Reinstate: Requires the $95 fee, $25 restoration fee, SR-22 insurance for 3 years, completion of Level 2 Alcohol and Drug Education and Treatment, and the installation of an Ignition Interlock device for a minimum of 2 years.
- I refused to take a chemical breath or blood test
- Revocation Rules: 1 year (1st offense), 2 years (2nd offense), or 3 years (3rd offense). You will be designated a Persistent Drunk Driver (PDD).
- To Reinstate: You must serve at least 2 months of your revocation before being eligible for early Interlock reinstatement. You will need to pay all fees ($120 total), maintain SR-22 insurance for 1 to 3 years, enroll in Level 2 Alcohol and Drug Education and Treatment, and keep an Ignition Interlock device in your car for at least 2 years.
Submitting for Reinstatement
For almost all suspensions and revocations, you have two primary ways to submit your documents and fees to the DMV:
- Online (Fastest)
- Go to myDMV.colorado.gov.
- Scroll down to the "Payment and Reinstatements" box.
- Bottom left box on the myDMV homepage.
- Upload your specific reinstatement documents (like Court Compliances, SR-22s, or Interlock leases) and pay your $95 reinstatement fee electronically.
- By Mail
- Download and complete the Application for Reinstatement (Form DR 2870).
- Mail the completed application, your required documents, and a check or money order for $95 (payable to the Department of Revenue) to:
Colorado Department of Revenue
Division of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 173345 Denver CO 80217-3345
Note: Do not drive until you receive an official "Letter of Clearance" from the DMV and have legally purchased your new/reinstated physical driver license from a Full-Service Driver License Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your license is suspended for excessive points or (not alcohol/DUIs), you may be eligible for a Probationary Driver License.
- This license strictly limits you to driving to and from work.
- You must request a hearing by emailing the Hearings Division at dor_info_hearings@state.co.us .
- Your email must include your:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Colorado driver license number
- Action number or letter number
- Current mailing address
- Current phone number
- Your email must include your:
- You will need to provide a letter of employment, proof of SR-22 insurance, and pay a $6.00 fee.
Child Support Suspensions: Requests for suspensions based on child support obligations must be submitted to the state child support enforcement agency for referral to the delegate child support enforcement unit. 26-13-123(5)
Note: If a police officer pulls you over while driving outside of your work restrictions, your probationary license will be immediately confiscated.
- What is the process?
- All evidence packets submitted to the Department by law enforcement agencies in support of per se/expressed consent cases are scanned and stored electronically. Once a hearing request is granted, a courtesy copy of the documents is mailed to the party that requested the hearing. There is no charge for this copy. At the hearing, the Hearing Officer reviews the scanned electronic duplicate of these same documents. The paper originals are no longer provided to the Hearings Division.
- Why doesn't my evidence packet say when my hearing will be?
- Two separate processes are involved. When a hearing is requested, Driver Control sends a copy of the documents received (the evidence packet) to the party that submitted the request. In addition, Driver Control notifies the Hearings Division that a hearing has been granted and needs to be scheduled. The scheduling doesn't occur for several weeks. Once Hearings sets the date, a notice indicating the date, time, and location (or telephone number) for the hearing will be mailed to the same address. However, this is a separate letter and will most likely arrive a few weeks after the evidence packet.
- What is the difference between my copy of the packet and the Department originals?
- There should be no difference. When the documents are received by the Department, the "original" documents are scanned. The copy (evidence packet) issued to the party that requests the Hearing is a print of the scanned documents. When the hearing is held, the Hearing Officer will be viewing the scanned documents electronically. As a result, no difference should exist between the documents received by the Department, the copy issued to the party requesting the hearing, or the electronic documents used by the Hearing Officer to conduct the hearing.
- Can I review the scanned original documents received by the Department?
- If you wish to compare the originals on file with the Department to the copies sent to you as a result of a hearing request, you can fax or mail the Original Document Review Form to Driver Control. The Department will contact you within five business days of receipt of the request to schedule the review. Once scheduled, a confirmation of the date and time will be sent by fax, e-mail, or regular mail. The scanned originals can be reviewed only at the DMV office located at 1351 5th St. Suite 100 Denver, CO 80204.
- If you make your request during the hearing, the Hearing Officer will provide you with a copy of the Original Document Review Form. You can also request a copy via fax by calling 303-205-5792. The documents reside with Driver Control and are NOT provided to the Hearings Division. You will need to contact Driver Control as indicated on the form provided by the Hearings Officer. The hearing will continue as scheduled, but you will have the opportunity to notify the Hearing Officer if any discrepancies are noted in the comparison. The thirty-day time for appeal of the Hearing Officer's decision is not tolled, so you will want to request the review as quickly as possible.
- Why are the documents only available for review at 1351 5th St. Suite 100 Denver, CO 80204?
- By statute, Driver Control is the Custodian of Records for the Department of Revenue. As discussed above, the original documents filed by law enforcement agencies in support of per se/expressed consent cases will be scanned and thereafter stored electronically. The originals will be maintained by Driver Control for ninety days, in part to allow for comparison with copies by Respondents and/or their attorneys. To guarantee the integrity of the originals, a representative of Driver Control will be present when the reviews occur.
- I need an additional copy of the evidence packet. How do I get one?
- Download the DR 2664 Per Se / Expressed Consent Document Request form from the Forms page here. Follow the instructions on the form.
- Can I have a third party compare my copy and the scanned original documents?
- Yes, although because the documents contain privacy-protected information, the Department will need to receive authorization in writing from either you or your attorney before this can occur. Such authorization must indicate the name and date of birth of the third party, and must be signed and dated by you or your attorney. Authorizations from attorneys must be on letterhead. An authorization can be faxed to 303-205-5960 or dropped off at 1351 5th St. Suite 100 Denver, CO. 80204. You must provide the written authorization to the Department no fewer than two business days before the review is to be completed.
- I have questions about the hearing. Who can I contact?
- The Hearings Division can be reached by calling 303-205-5606.
- Will the DMV notify me when my suspension or revocation period is over?
- No. The DMV does not send reminders when you are eligible to reinstate. You must track your own eligibility date, which is listed on the original notice of suspension/revocation mailed to you. If you lost that document, you can check your reinstatement status online here or obtain a copy of your driving record here.
- I live in another state, but my home state says Colorado has a "hold" on my license. What do I do?
- This is usually due to the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). If you got a ticket in Colorado and didn't pay it, Colorado suspended your driving privileges here and notified your home state. To clear it:
- Pay the fine directly to the Colorado court that issued the ticket.
- Get an NRVC compliance receipt from that court.
- Submit the receipt and a $95 reinstatement fee to the Colorado DMV.
- This is usually due to the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). If you got a ticket in Colorado and didn't pay it, Colorado suspended your driving privileges here and notified your home state. To clear it:
- Another state is requiring a "Letter of Clearance" from Colorado to issue my new license. How do I get one?
- A Letter of Clearance proves to another state that you are not under restraint in Colorado. If you just finished the reinstatement process, this letter is mailed to you automatically once approved.
- If you simply need to prove you don't have a record here (or need to prove you aren't a person with a similar name who is suspended), you must submit a Request for an Out-of-State No Match/Clearance Letter (Form DR 2275) along with the required fee to the Driver Control Section.
- How do I get my driver record (aka MVR)?
- Visit our Driving Record page here for more information on how to obtain your driver record online, by mail, or in person.
- Why does the state require alcohol classes but the court does not?
- There are circumstances where the court may not order you to take alcohol classes, but the state will as a requirement for reinstatement. Colorado statutes require these classes for certain types of revocations. For more information on alcohol classes, download the DR 2840 Level I and Level II Courses Brochure here.
- What is SR-22 insurance?
- An SR-22 is a rider to an insurance policy in which the insurance company guarantees that you will keep insurance in effect for a certain period of time. To get your license back after having certain suspensions or revocations, or to keep from getting your license suspended, you may have to file the SR-22. When you purchase liability insurance, the insurance agent can provide the SR-22 form. When the insurance policy with the SR-22 rider is purchased, the form is filed with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. The form is not an insurance policy. The form is a guarantee by the insurance company that you will keep the insurance in effect for a certain period. If you don't keep the SR-22 current, the insurance company will notify the Motor Vehicle Division. Once the Motor Vehicle Division has been notified that the SR-22 is no longer in effect, but is still required, Motor Vehicle will suspend your license for that reason alone. If you decide to change insurance companies, you need to get a new SR-22 filed before the old one goes out of effect.
- I have multiple alcohol offenses on my record. How long is my waiting period before I can apply for Early Reinstatement with an interlock?
- If you have multiple alcohol violations or test refusals on your record, you cannot reinstate immediately. The mandatory waiting period before you can apply for early reinstatement with an interlock is typically 1 to 2 months, depending on the exact nature of your offenses. Check your myDMV account for your specific eligibility date.
- When is an ignition interlock required?
- Visit the interlock information page here to see some of the most common revocations requiring an ignition interlock.
- For additional information, call Customer Service at 303-205-5613.
- Do I have to install an ignition interlock on all my cars?
- Yes, you must have the Ignition Interlock installed on every vehicle you own, co-own, or have access to operate.
- I'm required to install an ignition interlock as part of my reinstatement. What do I do now?
- After you have confirmed your eligibility to reinstate and that an Ignition Interlock is part of your reinstatement requirements, contact an approved vendor for pricing, locations, and what to bring. Once you have selected a vendor, have the Interlock installed and obtain the following:
- Restricted License Ignition Interlock Agreement Affidavit DR 2058
- Installation Certificate and Lease Agreement (issued by the Interlock provider)
- Application for Reinstatement (Form DR 2870)
- Payment amounts indicated on the form (check or money order made payable to Department of Revenue)
- SR22 from your insurance company
- Required Education Documentation:
- Required Alcohol and Drug Education document Certificate (Form DR 2598)
- or Discharge Referral Summary (DRS) for a Level II Education and Treatment program showing completion of courses
- or an Affidavit of Enrollment (Form DR 2643)
- Note: The Certificate or DRS requirement is determined by the associated BAC or the number of alcohol violations on your record (Multiple offenders or BAC of 0.15, and above require Level II DRS or Affidavit of Enrollment). When possible, you should provide the complete set of documents together to ensure that your reinstatement is processed in a timely manner. Allow up to twenty business days for your reinstatement to be completed. A letter will be mailed to the address on your application confirming that your reinstatement is complete and that you can contact a Driver License office to schedule your written and drive test in your Ignition Interlock-equipped vehicle.
- After you have confirmed your eligibility to reinstate and that an Ignition Interlock is part of your reinstatement requirements, contact an approved vendor for pricing, locations, and what to bring. Once you have selected a vendor, have the Interlock installed and obtain the following:
- How do I get my restricted license?
- Once you have been reinstated with Ignition Interlock, you should contact your nearest full-service driver license office to schedule any necessary testing.
- My Ignition Interlock requirement has ended, what do I do now?
- Do not remove your interlock device yet.
- Visit a full-service Driver License Office to purchase a new, Unrestricted License.
- Once you have your new unrestricted physical license in hand, you can contact your provider to have the device removed.
- What is a probationary driver license?
- A probationary driver license is a license to drive, for limited purposes, usually driving to and from the place of employment or to perform duties in the course of employment, during the term of a license suspension. A driving privilege for Commercial Vehicles is not granted.
- How do I get a probationary driver license?
- A probationary license is usually granted for persons with a points suspension or a child support suspension. All tickets must be paid prior to the issuance of any probationary license. At the time of your hearing, you will need to speak to your hearing officer about the issuance of a probationary driver license. If you are under suspension and have not had a hearing, you will need to request a hearing by emailing the Hearings Division at dor_info_hearing@state.co.us. In your email, you must include your full legal name, date of birth, Colorado driver license number, action number or letter number, current mailing address, and current phone number.
- If you have a Child Support suspension, you may be granted a probationary license. This license will be valid for ninety days and will be for work-related purposes. You must bring with you a letter of employment, evidence of insurance, surrender your regular license, and pay the fee of $6.00. You may not be under any other current restraint action.
- What happens if I violate the restrictions of my probationary driver license?
- If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer, and you are outside of your restrictions, the officer will confiscate the license for violating the terms of the license. By law a probationary license can also be taken away from someone if they get any ticket while on the probationary license. Once the license is confiscated, or you receive a ticket, the probationary driver license will be cancelled and you will not be able to drive for the duration of your suspension.
- Why do I have to take a re-exam when my license hasn't expired?
- There are several reasons that the State may require you to come in and take a re-examination. When you have two accidents on your record within three years of each other, we will ask you to take a re-examination. You may also be asked to take a re-examination if a family member or doctor feels, for medical reasons, you should take a re-examination. A law enforcement officer may also file an incident report requesting that you take a re-examination.
- How do I request a re-examination for a family member?
- Please visit the Request A Retest page here for more information.
- Can a re-examination period be extended?
- Re-examinations cannot be extended unless requested by a doctor. The doctor must provide, on letterhead, the reason for the extension and the length of the extension. If the extension time period is to be longer than two weeks from the original time request, then the restraint will go into effect. When the driver is able to take and pass the re-examination on the first attempt, the action will be rescinded.
Additional Resources
For additional information about how to reinstate driving privileges, you can submit an Information Request for Reinstatements, DUIs, Suspensions, and SR-22 here or call DMV Driver Services at 303-205-5613.