Colorado
DUI License Revocation

Colorado Department
of Revenue (DOR) is required by law to revoke the drivers license
of any driver who tests dui, i.e., above 0.08 BAC.
This revocation is separate from any criminal charges which
may be brought by the district attorney for DUI. Pleading
guilty to a lesser offense in court such as driving while
impaired (DWAI) will not save your driving privilege. The
revocation will be imposed seven days after you receive a
"Notice of Revocation" either from the officer who
arrested you (in the case of refusals or breath tests) or
directly from the DOR in the case of blood tests - unless
you make a timely written request for a hearing.
If your breath test comes out over 0.08 BAC the police should
issue you a Notice of Revocation and seize your license. It
will take at least one to two weeks before you receive a Notice
of Revocation from DOR if you took a blood test that comes
back over 0.08 BAC. Notices for duid are sent only if you
are convicted of duid during the court case against you.
Revocations go into effect seven days after the date of the
offense, unless you request a hearing before a DOR hearing
officer within that period. You may request a hearing at any
DOR drivers license office.
Drivers license revocations of this sort last a minimum of
three (3) months for a first time offense. On July 1, 2003
an amended § 42-2-126, C.R.S. went into effect which
includes a probationary license program for first time offenders
who have taken a test. This program increases the length of
the license restrain imposed by DOR to six months total; no
driving during the first month and a probationary drivers
license for the next five months. The problem with this program
is that during the probationary period, any moving violation
whatsoever will result in cancellation of the probationary
license for the rest of the five month period. This means
that a three month revocation can turn into a six month revocation
if you are stopped by police just once!
If you have had your license revoked before or failed to
take a test, you can look forward to not driving for up to
several years depending on your driving record and the circumstance
of your case. If a driver refuses to take a DUI or DUID chemical
test, DOR will impose a revocation of at least one (1) year
for "refusal."
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