The effect a DUI has on your driving privileges is determined by the Legislature and administered by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You have the opportunity to request a hearing with a DMV hearing officer and the arresting officer before restrictions go into effect. To reinstate your driver license, you may have to complete some or all of the following:
- Serve a period of revocation
- Install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle or the vehicle you drive
- Pay a $95 license reinstatement fee
- Pay a $25 DUI restoration fee (offense after 1/1/22)
- Provide proof of SR-22 insurance
- Enroll in a required alcohol and drug education and treatment course
Marijuana and driving
Let’s clear the smoke on marijuana and driving! Read our marijuana and driving FAQs.
Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
Just because you have a prescription, it doesn’t mean the drug won’t affect your ability to drive or get a DUI. The same can also be said about over-the-counter medications. Read about how common drugs and medications can affect your driving ability.
Restricted Driving Privileges
The process of having your driving privileges fully reinstated depends on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and whether it was your first impaired driving offense. Offense before 1/1/23, you may be eligible for early reinstatement after 30 days by installing an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you own or drive. Offense after 1/1/23, you may be eligible for early reinstatement the first day the action goes active by installing the ignition interlock device. The interlock device monitors your BAC periodically as you drive and will report back to the DMV. If this is your first DUI and your BAC was .149 or lower, you may be able to remove the interlock device early with 4 months of perfect performance on the ignition interlock device. First time offenders with a low BAC may also choose to not drive for 9 months and then reinstate their license.
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| Offense | No Drive Period | Ignition Interlock Restricted License | Early Interlock Removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense Before 1/1/23 First DUI (BAC ≤ .149)After 1/1/23 First DUI (BAC ≤ .149) |
1 month
None |
8 months 9 months |
Yes, after 4 months with ignition interlock and no violations
Yes, after 4 months |
| Offense before 1/1/23 2 or more DUIs or BAC ≥ .15Offense after 1/1/23 2 or more DUIs or BAC ≥ .15 |
1 month
None |
2 years
2 years |
No
No |
| Refused BAC Testing |
2 months | 2 years | No |
Education And Treatment
Both the DMV and the Court will require you to complete alcohol and drug education and treatment in order to fully reinstate your driving privileges. You will be required to complete a set number of hours for both education and treatment. Those hours must be completed over the course of a minimum time period. As an example, if you were assigned to Track A in the grid below, you would not be able to complete your 42 treatment hours in fewer than 21 weeks.
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| Track | Prior DUI? |
BAC | Total Education & Treatment (hours, period) |
Length of Treatment (hours) |
Minimum Treatment Period (weeks) |
Length of Education (hours) |
Minimum Education Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | No | < .15 | 66 hours, 5 months |
42 | 21 | 24 | 12 |
| B | No | ≥.15 or Refusals | 76 hours, 6 months |
52 | 26 | 24 | 12 |
| C | Yes | < .15 | 92 hours, 8 months |
68 | 34 | 24 | 12 |
| D | Yes | ≥ .15 or Refusals |
110 hours, 10 months |
86 | 43 | 24 | 12 |
| F | Yes | 4 or more impaired driving offenses | 180 hours, 18 months |
180 | 72 | 0 | 0 |
For resources on impaired driving, please visit the resources webpage.