Question re out-of-state speeding ticket (Denver: insurance, home, legal)

[chilaili]

Actually I have two questions:
1) How long does it take for points taken off your license to be replaced in Denver County?

2) What are the implications for your license if you get a speeding ticket in another state?


Thanks

[jazzlover]

1) Points are tallied as to how many are accumulated in a given period. For an adult driver, it is 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. Get that amount or more and you will looking at a license suspension.
2) If the state is part of the Non-resident Violator Compact (NRVC)--and most states are part of the compact--points will be assessed against your Colorado license for the out-of-state violation.

[md21722]

If you have a Colorado license and get a ticket in another state it will NOT show up on your Colorado license. You still need to pay the fine to the jurisdiction that wrote the ticket.

[chilaili]

Again, if I lose 3 points off my license when (if ever) will they get re-added? How long does that take?

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by md21722

If you have a Colorado license and get a ticket in another state it will NOT show up on your Colorado license. You still need to pay the fine to the jurisdiction that wrote the ticket.

That is partially correct. Minor violations won't result in a points assessment in Colorado, but a serious violation in another state that would cause a suspension in that state may lead to a suspension action in Colorado.

As to the OP's repeated question about how long a points violation may effect one's driving record, the answer was in my first reply:

An example: In January, 2010, you get a 6 point violation. In December 2010, you get another 6 point violation. You've accumulated 12 points in 12 months, so you are subject to suspension. After your suspension, you get your license back after, say, 6 months (the length of suspension is determined by the court). In February 2012, you get another 6 point violation. This time you don't get a suspension because you haven't accumulated 12 points in 12 months, nor 18 points in 24 months.

The big ding comes with insurance rates. One does not have to incur a traffic violation in one's home state to lose one's insurance discounts. Just because Colorado may not assess points for an out-of-state traffic violation, that out-of-state conviction information will be likely shared with Colorado and be part of your Colorado driving record. When the insurance company sees the out-of-state violation, it will probably be "bye-bye" to your safe driver discount--typically for 2-3 years.

[2bindenver]

Points fall off in 3 years.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

As to the OP's repeated question about how long a points violation may effect one's driving record, the answer was in my first reply:

No... not really. You seem to be fixated on what a person needs to do in order to lose their driving privilege for a length of time. A three point ticket is nowhere in that ballpark.

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Points fall off in 3 years.

Now there we go... a relevant response.

To the OP, if it's a 3-point ticket, any chance that it could be 6-months deferred?

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Points fall off in 3 years.

If you read the statute, that is not what it says. Basically, the points stay on your driving record forever. They just don't count toward a suspension when they are greater than 24 months old in the case of a regular adult driver's license.

Here is the salient part of Sec. 42-2-127 of the Colorado Revised Statutes:

(1) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of subsection (8) of this section, the department has the authority to suspend the license of any driver who, in accordance with the schedule of points set forth in this section, has been convicted of traffic violations resulting in the accumulation of twelve points or more within any twelve consecutive months or eighteen points or more within any twenty-four consecutive months, or, in the case of a minor driver eighteen years of age or older, who has accumulated nine points or more within any twelve consecutive months, or twelve points or more within any twenty-four consecutive months, or fourteen points or more for violations occurring after reaching the age of eighteen years, or, in the case of a minor driver under the age of eighteen years, who has accumulated more than five points within any twelve consecutive months or more than six points for violations occurring prior to reaching the age of eighteen years; except that the accumulation of points causing the subjection to suspension of the license of a chauffeur who, in the course of employment, has as a principal duty the operation of a motor vehicle shall be sixteen points in one year, twenty-four points in two years, or twenty-eight points in four years, if all the points are accumulated while said chauffeur is in the course of employment. Any provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the license of a chauffeur who is convicted of DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, habitual user, UDD, or leaving the scene of an accident shall be suspended in the same manner as if the offense occurred outside the course of employment. Whenever a minor driver under the age of eighteen years receives a summons for a traffic violation, the minor's parent or legal guardian or, if the minor is without parents or guardian, the person who signed the minor driver's application for a license shall immediately be notified by the court from which the summons was issued.