How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Colorado

November 7, 2025
6 Min Read

Have you lost your driver’s license due to a DUI, unpaid tickets, convictions, or theft? Do not worry. The Colorado DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) allows users to reinstate their licenses, and the process is straightforward once you know the steps.

You must follow all instructions from the DMV and meet all requirements. The first step is to understand why your license was suspended or revoked. Common reasons include:

If you understand why your license was taken, you can take the proper steps to get it back. This guide will walk you through the exact process.

Your First Step: Check Your Reinstatement Requirements

Before you can fix the problem, you must get your official “to-do list” from the state. Colorado makes this easy with a free online tool.

  1. Go to the official myDMV website: https://mydmv.colorado.gov/
  2. Log in or create an account. You will need your Driver’s License number, Date of Birth, and the last 4 of your SSN.
  3. Find the “Driver’s License” or “Check Status” option.
  4. The system will show you your license status (e.g., “Suspended,” “Revoked,” “Eligible”).
  5. Look for a section called “Compliance” or “Reinstatement Requirements.” This is your personal checklist of every item you must complete to get your license back.

Your goal is to clear every item on this list.

Suspension vs. Revocation: Why It Matters

You must know if your license was suspended or revoked. They are not the same.

  • Suspension: Your license is temporarily on hold (e.g., for unpaid tickets, no insurance, or points). You do not have to re-test. You just need to clear your compliance items and pay the fee.
  • Revocation: Your license is cancelled (e.g., for a DUI/DWAI). You must re-apply as a new driver, which includes retaking the written and driving tests.

How to Clear Your Compliance Items (Based on Your Suspension)

Your online checklist will show you which of these you need to do.

For Unpaid Tickets / Failure to Appear in Court

Your license is on hold until you clear the ticket with the court.

  1. Contact the Court: You must first contact the local court in the county where you received the ticket (not the DMV).
  2. Pay All Court Fines: Pay the original fine plus any new late fees.
  3. Get Court Clearance: The court will then notify the DMV that you have complied. This can take 24-72 hours to appear on your myDMV checklist.

For “No Insurance” or “Expired Insurance”

If you were caught driving without insurance, you must prove you have it now.

  1. Get an SR-22: You must contact an insurance company and purchase SR-22 insurance. This is a special certificate your insurer files electronically with the DMV. It is a non-negotiable requirement, and we explain the full process in our guide to SR-22 insurance.
  2. Maintain the SR-22: You must keep this SR-22 policy active for a set period, typically 3 years. If you let it lapse, your license will be suspended again.

For DUI / DWAI (Alcohol/Drug Offenses)

This is a revocation and has the most steps. Your checklist will include:

  1. Serve Your Revocation Period: You must wait for the mandatory time to pass (e.g., 9 months, 1 year).
  2. Complete an Alcohol/Drug Education Course: You must enroll in and complete a state-approved Level I or Level II Alcohol Education and Treatment course.
  3. Get an SR-22: You must have an SR-22 on file (see above).
  4. Install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID): For all alcohol-related reinstatements, Colorado requires you to install an IID (a breathalyzer) in your vehicle for a set period (often 2 years).
  5. Re-take All Tests: Once all other items are cleared, you must go to a DMV office to apply for a new license, which includes passing the vision, written (permit), and driving (road) tests again.

How To Pay Your $95 Fee & Get Your License

Once your myDMV checklist shows all compliance items are complete, you are eligible to pay your fee and finalize the reinstatement. You have three ways to do this.

Method 1: Online (Fastest Way)

(This is for suspensions only. Revocations require an in-person visit to re-test).

  1. Log in to your myDMV account.
  2. If your status is “Eligible,” you will see an option to “Reinstate Your License.”
  3. Pay the $95 reinstatement fee with a credit/debit card.
  4. Your license will be active in the system immediately. You can print a temporary license receipt until your new card arrives.

Method 2: By Mail

  1. Complete the Form: Download and fill out the Reinstatement Application (Form DR 2870).
  2. Gather Your Documents: Include a check or money order for $95 (payable to “Department of Revenue”) and any other physical documents your checklist requires (like your SR-22 or course completion).
  3. Mail Your Packet: Send everything to the address on the form.
    • Pro-Tip: This is also a good time to update your address if you have moved. You can use the Colorado DMV change of address form to ensure your new license is mailed to the right place.

Method 3: In-Person

This is mandatory for all revocations (like DUIs) because you must re-take your tests.

  1. Book Your Appointment: You must schedule an appointment online first. Do not walk in. You can schedule a CO DMV appointment for “Driver’s License Reinstatement” or “Written/Road Test.”
  2. Visit the Office: Go to a full-service Driver’s License office at your scheduled time.
  3. Bring Your Documents: Bring your SR-22, alcohol course certificate, and any other compliance items.
  4. Pay and Test: Pay your $95 fee and any testing fees. You will then take the vision, written, and road tests to be issued your new license.

FAQs

What is the $95 fee? My ticket was only $50!

The $95 is a DMV administrative reinstatement fee. It is completely separate from the original fine you pay to the court. You must pay both.

I have a “revocation.” Do I really have to take the driving test again?

Yes. A suspension does not require re-testing. A revocation (for a DUI, DWAI, or as a Habitual Traffic Offender) cancels your license. You are starting over as a new driver and must pass the written and driving (road) tests again.

What is an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)?

An IID is a breathalyzer that is professionally installed in your car. You must blow into it to start the car and at random intervals while driving. In Colorado, an IID is mandatory to reinstate from any alcohol-related offense.

I can’t drive! How can I get to work?

If you are eligible, you may be able to apply for a Colorado hardship license (also called a “Restricted License” or “Red License”). This allows you to drive only to and from work, school, and your alcohol treatment class. You must install an IID to be eligible for this.

I live in another state now, but I have a hold from Colorado. How do I fix it?

You must clear your Colorado suspension. You can do almost everything by mail. You must mail in your reinstatement packet (Form DR 2870), your $95 check, and all your compliance documents (like an SR-22 from your new state’s insurance). You can call the DMV at 303-205-5613 to confirm all your requirements.

Conclusion

Reinstating your driver’s license in Colorado is a clear, step-by-step process. Your first and most important action is to log in to the myDMV portal to get your personal reinstatement checklist.

From there, you simply complete your compliance items (like paying court fines, getting an SR-22, or finishing an alcohol course) and then pay your final $95 reinstatement fee to the DMV. Remember that a revocation (for DUI/DWAI) is more serious and will require you to re-take all your driving tests.

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