Punishment for driving without a license in colorado

The required jail sentence can only be suspended set aside if the accused can show they drove only due to an emergency. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state.

Toggle navigation DrivingLaws. Search Term. Read about the penalties for driving without a valid license in Colorado. Driving Without a License Generally, every person who operates a motor vehicle on a Colorado highway must possess and be able to display a valid driver's license.

Driving While Restrained A person who operates a vehicle while on a restrained license suspended, restricted, or revoked will be subject to jail time, fines, and an extended driver's license suspension.

Talk to a Lawyer. These violations include an arrest or conviction for driving under the influence and refusing to take an alcohol test in violation of Colorado's implied consent law. The Department of Revenue can suspend your license if you are caught driving without auto insurance. Depending on whether you have prior insurance violations, the suspension can be until you provide proof of insurance first offense or up to eight months third or subsequent offense.

Colorado uses a traffic violation point system. Under this system, the Department of Revenue will suspend your license if you accumulate too many points. Most traffic violations, like speeding , reckless driving , and drunk driving, carry a certain number of points. Generally, drivers who rack up 12 points within 12 months or 18 points within 24 months face suspension.

The point totals that can lead to suspension are lower for drivers who are under the age of Failing to pay child support—though unrelated to driving—can also lead to license suspension.

Generally, drivers who are suspended for this reason must prove they are in compliance with the child support order as a condition for license reinstatement.

However, this is just a partial list. Lots of other criminal offenses can result in the loss of driving privileges. The length of your suspension or revocation will depend on the reason it was imposed in the first place. But, in most instances, the department can't suspend your license for more than one year. Revocations, on the other hand, can be many years. Once your suspension or revocation period has ended, you must reinstate your license before you can legally drive.

In addition, you may have to complete other requirements such as attending alcohol or drug programs. If you're caught driving on a suspended or revoked license you can be charged with a misdemeanor if you drive when your license is suspended or revoked.

Your license will be revoked for any of the following-alcohol related offenses:. Your parents or guardian also reserve the right to cancel your driver's license if you're younger than 18 years old. Penalties are not limited to loss of driving privileges. Drivers younger than 18 years old may be assigned to community service for violating seat belt laws and passenger restrictions. You must notify your employer within 30 days of being convicted of a moving traffic violation, regardless of what type of vehicle you were driving.

Even if the violation occurred out of state, you must still submit notification. Regardless of vehicle type, your commercial driver's license CDL will be disqualified if convicted of:. Your CDL will be disqualified for one year for a first offense, or life for a second offense.

Your CDL will be revoked for 60 days if convicted of any of the listed offenses for a 2nd time within 3 years, and days if convicted a 3rd time. Fight Ticket Plead Not Guilty Challenge traffic ticket in court Represent yourself or hire an attorney Possibly lose option to plea bargain for lesser penalties Have charges dismissed if found not guilty, but still pay court and attorney fees Be charged guilty and pay ticket fine, court and lawyer fees Learn more about Fighting your Traffic Ticket ».