Colorado Driving Records

Colorado driving records are documents that detail your personal driving history. These driving history reports may include your traffic citations, accidents, license status, and even license suspensions or reinstatement.

Numerous stakeholders may access your motor vehicle records. Insurance companies, employers, courts, and law enforcement agencies may request these documents to evaluate your driver profile. However, certain laws and regulations govern access to your DMV driving records to prevent personal data misuse and safeguard privacy.

Being proactive about your driving history is key to responsible driving in Colorado. By regularly checking your driving record, you can ensure all the information is accurate, address any errors promptly, and stay aware of any accumulated points that could lead to license suspension.

What Is a Colorado Driving Record?

A Colorado driving record, officially known as a motor vehicle record (MVR), provides a detailed history of an individual's driving activity in the state. It is issued and maintained by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which operates under the Colorado Department of Revenue.

The Colorado MVR contains both personal identifying information and a summary of your driving history within the state. In some cases, it may also include violations committed in other states if they have been reported to Colorado.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records

The key difference between official MVRs and public driving records in Colorado lies in their certification status and intended use.

Official MVRs are detailed records maintained by state agencies like the Colorado DMV. They generally provide complete information, including a person's driving history, license status, accidents, violations, and suspensions or revocations. Official MVRs are often required for professional purposes, like applying for specific jobs that involve driving or verifying the driving history for legal reasons.

Public driving records also reflect the same information as official MVRs, including driving history and violations, but they lack the verification that comes with certified records. As a result, they may only be used for informational purposes, like background checks or verifying basic driving history.

Most public driving records are accessible online through data providers like RecordsFinder. These platforms compile driver information from various reliable sources to provide a driver's history without the need to visit DMV facilities.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

Below are some common reasons why you may need a driving record in Colorado:

• Car Insurance Estimation: Colorado insurance companies often use your driving record to assess risk and determine automobile premiums.
• Employment Requirements: Many employers, especially those in industries like transportation or logistics, may require a driving record to evaluate an applicant's qualifications.
• Court Requirements: If you have been involved in a traffic violation or accident, the court may require you to submit your driving record. This is often the case if you seek to reduce penalties or demonstrate a safe driving history.
• Driver's License Renewal or Suspensions: When renewing your driver's license or reinstating a suspended one, Colorado DMV may require your driving record to assess eligibility or determine the duration of any suspension.
• Personal Record Keeping: Some individuals may want to keep track of their driving history for personal purposes, such as monitoring their progress in maintaining a clean record or for future reference in case they need it.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

Colorado MVRs generally provide a comprehensive overview of a licensed individual's driving history. Below is the key information found in these records:

• The driver's personal information
  • Full name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Driver's license number
• License Details
  • License type
  • License class
  • Issuance and expiration dates
  • Restrictions or endorsements
• Driving History
  • Traffic violations and convictions
  • Accident history
  • License suspensions, revocations, or cancellations
  • Any reinstatement actions taken for suspended or revoked licenses
• DUI or DWI Offenses:
  • Details on any driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions
• Other Notes:
  • Any legal restrictions or court orders affecting the driver's record
  • Points system activity, including any defensive driving course completions or point reductions

Types of Driver Records Available in Colorado

The Colorado DMV issues two main types of driver records:

• 7-Year Driver Record: This record summarizes a driver's activity over the past seven years. It generally includes traffic violations and convictions within that time frame, including DUI or DWI offenses. It may also list any license suspensions or revocations during the period and any reported accidents.
• Full Driver Record: Also known as the complete driving record, this document offers a comprehensive view of the driver's entire history, extending beyond the last seven years. This record includes all the information in the 7-Year Driver Record and additional details such as older traffic violations and historical changes to the driver's license status.

Both types of Colorado driving records may be requested in certified or uncertified copies. Requests may be made through official channels or third-party vendors.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Colorado

Title 42 of the Colorado Revised Statutes governs traffic violations in Colorado. The statutes outline offenses ranging from minor infractions to serious misdemeanors and felonies. The Colorado State Patrol, municipal police departments, and county sheriffs enforce these laws to maintain public safety on highways and local roads.

Depending on the nature and severity of the offense, penalties for violations may include fines, points assessed on a driver's license, license suspension, or even imprisonment.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Like most other states, Colorado groups its traffic violations into moving and non-moving violations.

Moving violations generally happen when a car is in motion. These offenses usually have a greater impact on your Colorado driving record as they pose more serious threats to other road users. Common examples of these violations include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Reckless or careless driving
• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Illegal lane changes
• DUI
• Hit-and-run
• Texting or using a phone while driving

On the other hand, a non-moving violation occurs when a vehicle is stationary or the offense does not involve unsafe car operation. Typically, they are punishable by fines and do not result in points on your driving record. Common examples include:

• Parking violations
• Expired registration or license plates
• No proof of insurance
• Broken or missing lights
• Tinted windows violations
• Failure to display license plates properly

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

Follow this guide to understand your options when you receive a traffic ticket in Colorado:

• Review the Ticket: Carefully read the ticket for the following details:
  • The violation you're being cited for
  • The date and time of the incident
  • The response deadline or court appearance date
  • Whether it is a citation (payable without court) or a summons (requires a court appearance)
• Decide How to Respond: Your options depend on the nature of the ticket:
  • Pay the Ticket: Paying the fine is considered an admission of guilt. Payment is typically due within 20 days. You may pay online, by mail, or in person at the court clerk's office where the violation occurred.
  • Contest the Ticket: If you believe you are not guilty, you may plead not guilty and appear in court on the date specified. This allows you to present your defense before a judge.
  • Attend a Defensive Driving Course: In some cases, you may be eligible to take a court-approved defensive driving course, which may lead to a reduction or dismissal of the charge. Eligibility varies by offense and jurisdiction.
• Prepare for Court: If you choose to contest the ticket, do the following:
  • Collect any evidence that supports your case, which may include photos, witness statements, and dashcam footage.
  • Review relevant traffic laws.
  • Consider consulting or hiring a traffic attorney, especially for more serious violations.
• Attend Court: Be present at your scheduled court date. During your hearing, you will generally be allowed to:
  • Present your evidence.
  • Question the officer who issued the ticket (if applicable).
  • Receive a judgment from the judge.

Regardless of how you choose to respond, act promptly. Ignoring a traffic ticket may result in serious consequences, including increased penalties and potential arrest.

How Does the Colorado Point System Work?

Colorado has a point system that tracks traffic violations on a driver's record. This system adds specific points to a driver's driving record when a driver is convicted of a traffic offense. For example:

• DUI: 12 points
• Reckless driving: 6 points
• Speeding (20-39 mph over limit): 6 points
• Failure to yield: 3 points

If too many points accumulate within a specific period, the Colorado DMV may suspend or revoke the offender's driver's license. The number of points that may lead to a suspension varies by age group. Check the table below:

Your driver's license may be suspended if you reach one of the suspension thresholds. The suspension may last from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the number of points and the driver's history.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

The length of time a traffic violation remains on Colorado driving records generally depends on the nature and severity of the offense.

Minor violations, such as speeding or running a stop sign, typically stay on record for seven years, while major violations, like DUI, typically remain permanently on a person's driving record.

Note that the Colorado DMV only counts the points accumulated within 24 months before it issues a license suspension. However, even after the points are no longer counted, insurance companies may consider the past three to five years of driving history when determining premiums.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

In Colorado, traffic violations cannot be removed from a driver's record. Once a violation is recorded, it becomes a permanent part of the individual's driving history.

While the violation remains on file, the associated points do not indefinitely impact driving privileges. Colorado law only assesses the points accrued from a traffic violation in the past 24 months. Although the points remain on the record, they no longer count toward license suspension or other DMV actions after this period.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

You may check your driving record in Colorado by requesting it through one of the options below:

• Online: You may obtain a non-certified or certified copy of your Colorado MVR online by following the steps outlined on the Request a driving record page. Be prepared to provide personal information and pay the required fees using a credit card.

• By Mail: To request your MVR by mail, complete the Requestor Release and Affidavit of Intended Use (DR 2489) and mail it along with the appropriate payment to:

  Colorado Department of Revenue

  Division of Motor Vehicles

  Driver Control, Room 164

  P.O. Box 173345

  Denver, CO 80217

• In Person: The state MVRs may also be requested in person at any Driver License Office Location. This method usually requires valid identification, information about the record being sought, and a fee to complete the request.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Colorado?

The Colorado DMV typically charges $9 for MVR requests. If you require a certified copy, an additional $1 fee applies. An extra service fee may apply when requesting the record online.

The processing time for online requests usually lasts 5 to 10 minutes, while mail requests may take 7 to 10 days. For in-person requests, you may get your driving record after you comply with the requirements and pay the necessary fees.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free?

MVRs in Colorado cannot be accessed for free. However, you may reach out to the following to obtain driving record information for free:

• Insurance Provider: Some insurance companies offer access to your driving history as part of their services.
• Third-Party Services: Certain third-party websites provide driving record information for free. However, exercise caution as these sources may not offer accurate data and could charge fees for complete driving records.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

You will have a bad driving record in Colorado if you commit multiple moving and non-moving violations.

Moving violations generally go on your driving record and add points that may lead to license suspension. While they do not go on your record, non-moving violations may also lead to citations or fines, especially for repeat offenders.

Parking tickets in Colorado do not reflect on your driving records. The same is true for warnings from police officers, whether verbal or written.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

A bad driving record may significantly raise your auto insurance premiums in Colorado, especially after violations like DUIs, reckless driving, or accidents. If you are a habitual offender, you may also be required to file an SR-22, which could indicate you are a high-risk driver, leading to higher premiums.

Employment positions that require driving, like delivery or truck driving, may be off-limits if your record includes major violations. Employers may check your driving history and may disqualify applicants with poor driving records.

Who Can Access Your Colorado Driving History?

The following privacy laws govern access to your Colorado driving history:

• Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)
• Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-1-206

These laws protect your personal information by restricting access to your records without your consent or for a legitimate purpose. Among the protected information are:

• Name
• Address
• Social Security number
• Driver's license number
• Medical information
• Photo or biometric data

The protected information is only available to you (the record holder) and specific individuals and institutions with your consent or as allowed by law:

• Insurance companies for rate evaluation
• Employers for job-related driving duties
• Government agencies for official purposes
• Legal entities for legal proceedings or compliance

FAQs About Colorado Driving Records

Check the information below for more details about Colorado driving records:

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