Colorado DMV Hearings & License Reinstatement

When your driver’s license is at risk in Colorado, understanding the Colorado DMV Hearings process is critical. These administrative proceedings — from Express Consent revocations to point suspensions — determine whether you keep, lose, or regain your license.

The Colorado Department of Revenue (DMV) operates its own hearing system, separate from criminal court. Each type of hearing has specific rules, deadlines, and strategies that can significantly affect your driving privileges.

I represent drivers across Colorado in all types of DMV hearings and license reinstatement matters.

1. Express Consent Revocation Hearings (DUI-Related License Revocations)

After a DUI or DWAI arrest, your license may be revoked under Colorado’s Express Consent law — even before your criminal case begins. You have just seven days to request a hearing in breath or refusal cases, or the revocation becomes automatic.

During Colorado DMV Hearings like this, the DMV determines whether the officer had probable cause, whether you refused or failed testing, and whether proper procedures were followed. Strategy matters — from whether to request the officer’s appearance to how to preserve testimony for your criminal case.

📘 Learn more: [Express Consent Hearings in Colorado]

2. Ignition Interlock Violation & Extension Hearings

Drivers on interlock-restricted licenses can face new violations for:

• Failing or skipping rolling retests
• Tampering with or disconnecting the device
• Missing required calibration or monitoring appointments
• Failing a start-up test
• Positive readings caused by other drivers using the vehicle
• Interferents such as mouth alcohol, contamination, or residual substances triggering false positives

At these DMV hearings in Colorado, even minor or misunderstood readings can lead to serious consequences. These violations can trigger interlock extensions of one year or more, or even a new license revocation.

A DMV hearing offers a chance to challenge the alleged violation, present calibration data, and demonstrate equipment or environmental error. Experienced representation is key to avoiding unnecessary extensions.

3. Point Suspension Hearings

If you accumulate too many points within a specific time period, the Colorado DMV may suspend your driver’s license. Point limits vary by age and license type — for example, 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months for most adult drivers.

Point suspension DMV hearings allow drivers to contest:

• Whether the point total is accurate
• Aggravating or mitigating circumstances
• The suspension length (up to one year)
• Eligibility for a probationary (red) license and its conditions

These Colorado DMV Hearings can make the difference between maintaining limited driving privileges and losing them entirely. A knowledgeable DMV attorney ensures that your record, hardships, and eligibility are properly presented.

4. Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) & CDL Hearings

The DMV may classify you as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) if your record shows:

• Three or more major traffic convictions (e.g., DUI, DWAI, reckless driving) in seven years, or
• Ten or more minor traffic convictions in five years.

An HTO classification can result in a five-year license revocation.

A Colorado DMV hearing may be requested to verify whether the record is accurate and the classification is correct.

Commercial drivers (CDL holders) face additional consequences. Even minor violations can trigger lengthy disqualifications under federal and Colorado law.

A CDL DMV hearing allows drivers to contest the record or establish eligibility for reinstatement.

5. Interstate Licensing Problems

Colorado participates in the Driver License Compact, an agreement allowing states to share information about driving records and license sanctions.

If another state has placed a hold, suspension, or revocation on your record, the Colorado DMV may refuse to issue or renew your license until the issue is resolved.

However, depending on the state and the nature of the hold, it may be possible for a Colorado resident to obtain a driver’s license through specific reinstatement procedures.

These complex DMV reinstatement hearings often require reviewing:

• Out-of-state records containing the hold(s)
• The National Driver Register (NDR) record
• Colorado statutes and DMV regulations

An attorney experienced in interstate licensing and complex reinstatement issues can evaluate your record, identify potential solutions, and guide you through reinstatement.

6. Automobile Salesperson & Dealer License Hearings

The Colorado Motor Vehicle Dealer Board regulates salesperson and dealer licensing.

License denials, suspensions, or disciplinary actions can be appealed through DMV administrative hearings before the Department of Revenue.

I represent automobile sales professionals and dealers in cases involving:

• Denials or revocations based on criminal history or misrepresentation
• Disciplinary actions involving title handling, odometer issues, or advertising violations
• Petitions for reinstatement and probationary licensing

These administrative proceedings are highly technical. Representation by an attorney familiar with the Colorado DMV hearing process is critical to protecting your license and livelihood.

Why Representation Matters in Colorado DMV Hearings

DMV hearings move fast — often within days or weeks of a notice. They are technical, evidence-driven, and can dramatically affect your driving privileges, career, and freedom.

With more than 20 years of experience in Colorado DMV Hearings and license reinstatement, I personally handle every hearing to ensure every argument, document, and deadline is met precisely.