• 1st DWAI: 8 points on your license, $100-$500 fine, 2-180 days in jail, 24-48 hours community service
• 2nd DWAI: One year revocation of license, $300-$1000 fine, 45 days-1 year in jail, 48-96 hours community service
• 1st DUI: 12 points on your license, $300-$1000 fine, 5 days-1 year in jail, 48-96 hours community service
• 2nd DUI: One year revocation of license, $500-$1500 fine, 90 days-1 year in jail, 60-120 hours community service
• If you have a DUI with a previous DWAI, or vice versa, that also results in a one year revocation, jail, fines, and community service.
• Under 21 DUI or DWAI: One year revocation of license.
• Under 21 BAC of at least 0.02: Revocation of license.
• Under 21 possession of alcohol: Revocation of license, even if driving wasn't involved
• The DUI BAC was lowered from 0.10 to 0.08 July 1, 2004. Mostly it was due to pressure of losing federal highway funds if it wasn't lowered.

License Plates and Driver's Licenses

Colorado requires that people moving to the state get their vehicles registered here within 30 days of establishing residency. Proof of insurance, title, and VIN is required. In the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pitkin, and Weld (basically all of the Front Range plus Aspen) an emissions check is also required. Coloradoans don't take too kindly to the people who move here but don't bother getting new license plates (you know who you are).

There are over 70 different types of plates, including military, government, and special interest plates (you can advertise to the world you're a member of a Masonic Lodge if you so desire). Go through the registration section of the link below to view all of them. Plates are required for both the front and back of the vehicle, although the yearly sticker only goes on the back.

Driver's licenses are obtained for out-of-staters moving in by presenting the valid license from the other state. No written test is required, only a vision check. Colorado also has a motor voter system, so you should register to vote at the same time. People 15.5 to 18 years old begin the process of getting a driver's license by first acquiring an instruction permit. While having the permit teens must log 50 hours of driving, 10 of which must be at night, all accompanied by a parent or driving instructor. Once one has held the permit for 6 months and has logged the 50 hours, a driver's license can be applied for, and take the written test, vision check and driving test. You then have a minor's driving license until age 18. At age 18 the license becomes a provisional license. At age 21 it becomes an adult license. People at least age 18 do not need to apply for an instruction permit. Colorado does not require driver's education, although businesses are in place offering it. It'll reduce your insurance if you do take it.

Older Driver Laws

General population length of renewal : 10 years
Provisions for older drivers : Renewal every five years for drivers 61 and older; no mail renewal for drivers 66 and older; no electronic renewal for persons 60 and older

Sanctions for School and Construction Zones

Sanctions for Speeding in a Construction Zone : If a speeding offense occurs in a construction zone, fines and surcharges are double the usual amount.
Sanctions for Speeding in a School Zone : If a speeding offense occurs in a school zone, fines and surcharges are double the usual amount.

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