Violating this new rule four times could result in a driver's license suspension in Colorado in 2025

Starting January 1, drivers in Colorado will have to follow a new rule when they're on the road — and for many, that likely means giving up a dangerous habit.

As the new year begins, using handheld devices (cell phones, etc.) behind the wheel will be banned in the Centennial State — and steep fines are likely to help drivers ignore the urge to text and use other apps while driving.

The driver's first violation of the new rule will result in a $75 fine and two driver's license revocation points. Granted, first-time violations can be dismissed if the driver can prove they purchased a device that will allow them to be hands-free in the future.

However, the penalties really pile up for a second offense within 24 months. The penalty for a second offense within two years is a $150 fine and three license revocation points. After that, any subsequent offense carries a $250 fine and four suspension points.

In Colorado, a driver (age 21 or older) can face license revocation after 12 points in a 12-month period or 18 points in a two-year period. For those under the age of 21, a ban may occur after accruing just six points in a 12-month period or a total of seven points before turning 21.

With this in mind, a charge of breaching this rule four times within a 12 month period can result in a license suspension as this could mean 13 suspension points. People under 21 could have their license suspended if they break the rule three times within the same 12-month period.

While the new law does not allow law enforcement to confiscate a driver's phone, criminal charges will be filed if a driver is observed using a handheld device in a manner that results in careless driving.

The change doesn't just affect texting, either – anything that causes a driver to touch their phone can result in a citation, including use of GPS. And the law still applies to those who sit at a traffic light or do not move for other reasons. However, using a phone hands-free is still possible, made easier by the many talk-to-action commands that most phones use these days.

This new law will likely result in numerous citations being handed out across the state, with more than 75 percent of Colorado drivers admitting to using their phones while driving, according to a report from the Colorado Department of Transportation.

There are some exceptions to using a device while driving – for example, to report an emergency.

You can find an in-depth read on this topic from the Denver Gazette's Marianne Goodland here. More information about CDOT's change, including a frequently asked questions section, can be found here.