Colorado State Laws & Punishment on Driving Without a License

The consequences for getting caught without your license in Colorado depend on the situation. If you've forgotten it, and a police officer stops you, you're looking at a simple traffic ticket. However, if you drive after your license is suspended or revoked, you're considered guilty of Driving Under Restraint under Title 42-2-138 of the state's criminal code. The more DUR convictions you accumulate, the longer you'll wait to drive again.

Driving Without a License

Not having a valid license in your possession while driving is a Class B civil traffic infraction under Title 14-2-101. Fines range from $15 to $100, and no penalty points go on your driving record. If you don't fight the ticket, you must pay it in 20 days -- either by mail to the Division of Motor Vehicles, or in person at your local traffic court. If you do contest the ticket, you may request a hearing before a judge or magistrate. Failure to pay prevents you from renewing your license.

DUR: Legal Definition

Your situation gets more complicated if your license has been taken away and you drive anyway. "Restrained" under Title 42-2-138 refers to any denial, revocation or suspension of driving privileges -- whether it happened in Colorado, or another state. To make a DUR charge stick, a prosecutor must show you drove knowing that your license was under restraint. For statutory purposes, "knowledge" doesn't mean knowledge of a specific restraint, or its duration. The law doesn't distinguish between residents and non-residents.

Non-Alcohol-Related Restraint

A first-time offender whose license is restrained for non-alcohol related violations is guilty of a misdemeanor. Such an offense is punishable by a $500 maximum fine, six months of county jail time, and ineligibility for reinstatement of driving privileges for a year. The same consequences apply to second and subsequent offenses -- except you're barred from driving again for three years.

Alcohol-Related Restraint

Tougher sanctions apply for drivers who take the road anyway when their license is restrained for alcohol-related offenses, such as like Underage Drunk Driving. Consequences include a mandatory county jail sentence of 30 days to a year, and fines of $500 to $1,000. A subsequent conviction means up to two years of county time, and $3,000 in fines. If the new offense occurred within five years, you'll lose your license for a four-year period. However, a judge may suspend the jail time if you drove because of an emergency.

Post-Conviction Process

Once a conviction or judgment of guilt goes on your record, you must immediately surrender whatever license or instructional permit has been granted by Colorado, another state, or foreign country. The court will then submit it with the verdict to the DMV. Anyone who fails to give up his license or permit when required to do so is also guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. Conviction carries 10 to 90 days of county jail time, fines of $150 to $300, or both.

Reinstatement Guidelines

You must satisfy all license revocation or suspension conditions before applying for reinstatement through the DMV, which is an agency of the Department of Revenue. Complete and mail Form-DR 2870 to: Motor Vehicle Division, 1881 Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80214. You'll have to include payment for the required $95 fee. If you need more specific advice, call (303) 205-5600, or email: dor_mvadmin@state.co.us. As part of the process, you'll have to apply for a new license, which means passing a written and road test.

Related Articles