How to find your current driving points in Georgia

Your driving points in Georgia are tracked by the Department of Driver Services (DDS), and you can check your record online through their official website without visiting an office. Go to dds.georgia.gov, select "Check Your Driving Record," and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will show you your current point total, any violations on your record, and suspension or revocation status if applicable.

If you prefer not to use the online system, you can request your driving record in person at any DDS office in the Atlanta area. Bring your valid driver's license and be prepared to pay a small fee—currently around $5 to $7, though this varies. You can also request your record by mail by completing Form MV-7 (Request for Driving Record) and sending it to the DDS address listed on their website, along with payment.

Your record will show every point assessed against your license in the past three to five years, depending on the violation type. Points stay on your record for different lengths of time: minor violations like speeding typically remain for three years, while serious violations like reckless driving or DUI stay for ten years or longer.

Key Takeaways

  • You can check your Georgia driving points online at dds.georgia.gov using your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • Georgia assigns points for traffic violations, and accumulating 15 points within 24 months results in automatic license suspension.
  • Points remain on your record for three to ten years depending on the violation type, with minor infractions expiring faster than serious ones.
  • You can request a physical copy of your driving record in person at any DDS office or by mail using Form MV-7.

What Georgia's point system means for your license

Georgia uses a point accumulation system to track driving violations. Each type of violation carries a specific point value. For example, speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points, speeding 11 to 14 miles per hour over is 3 points, and speeding 15 miles per hour or more is 4 points. Running a red light is 3 points, reckless driving is 4 points, and driving under the influence (DUI) is 4 points.

The critical threshold is 15 points within a 24-month period. When you reach 15 points, your license is automatically suspended for a minimum of three months. If you accumulate 24 points within 24 months, your suspension extends to six months. At 34 points within 24 months, your license is revoked for a full year.

Points can be removed from your record through defensive driving school. Completing an approved defensive driving course removes up to 7 points from your record, though you can only use this option once every five years. Some violations—like DUI—cannot be removed through defensive driving school and must straightforward age off your record.

How to read your Georgia driving record

When you receive your driving record, it lists each violation with the date it occurred, the violation code, the point value, and the date the points will expire. The violation code is a two-digit number that corresponds to a specific infraction—for instance, code 01 is speeding, code 02 is reckless driving, and code 03 is following too closely.

Your record also shows your current total points and whether your license is currently valid, suspended, or revoked. If you have an active suspension or revocation, the record will indicate the reason and the date it will be lifted or when you become may be able to access to request reinstatement. Pay attention to the expiration dates listed next to each violation—once that date passes, those points drop off your total.

If you see violations on your record that you believe are incorrect or that you have already resolved (such as a ticket you paid or contested in court), you can dispute them. Contact the DDS directly with documentation of the correction, such as a court order showing the ticket was dismissed.

Defensive driving school and point removal in Georgia

If you have accumulated points and want to reduce them, defensive driving school is the primary option available to Georgia drivers. Completing an approved course removes up to 7 points from your record. You must find a course approved by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (GPSTC)—not all driving schools are approved, so verify before enrolling.

The course typically takes four to eight hours to complete, depending on whether you take it in person or online. You will pay a fee to the school, which varies but generally ranges from $50 to $150. Once you finish, the school submits proof of completion to DDS, and the points are removed within a few weeks.

There are important limits on this option. You can only use defensive driving school once every five years, meaning you cannot take multiple courses in quick succession to remove large numbers of points. Additionally, some violations—particularly DUI and serious criminal traffic offenses—are not may be able to access for point removal through defensive driving school, no matter how many courses you complete.

What happens if your license is suspended or revoked

If you reach 15 points within 24 months, your license is automatically suspended for at least three months. During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and further license penalties.

To reinstate your license after suspension, you must wait out the suspension period and then contact DDS to request reinstatement. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently around $210 in Georgia, though this can vary) and may be required to provide proof of insurance. Some suspensions also require you to pass a written test or vision test before reinstatement is granted.

A revocation is more serious than a suspension. Revocation means your license is cancelled entirely, and you must reapply for a new license after the revocation period ends. For a first revocation due to point accumulation, the revocation period is one year. You will need to retake the written test, vision test, and road test to obtain a new license.

Checking points before they affect your license

The best time to check your driving points is regularly—at least once a year, or when ready after receiving a traffic ticket. Knowing your current total helps you understand how close you are to suspension and whether you should consider defensive driving school before you reach the 15-point threshold.

If you have received multiple tickets recently, check your record within a few weeks to confirm all violations have been entered into the system. Sometimes there is a delay between when a ticket is issued and when it appears on your DDS record. If a ticket does not appear within 30 days, contact the court that issued the ticket to confirm it was processed.

If you are approaching 15 points, you have options: you can take defensive driving school to remove up to 7 points, or you can contest a ticket in traffic court if you believe it was issued in error. Acting before you hit the suspension threshold is far less disruptive than dealing with a suspended license.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for points to show up on my Georgia driving record?

Most violations appear on your DDS record within two to four weeks of the ticket being issued. However, this depends on how quickly the court processes and reports the violation to DDS. If you do not see a ticket on your record after 30 days, contact the court that issued it to confirm it was submitted.

Can I remove points from my record without taking defensive driving school?

Points expire naturally based on the violation type—minor violations typically drop off after three years, while serious violations remain for longer. Defensive driving school is the only way to actively remove points before they expire. Some violations, like DUI, cannot be removed through any course and must age off your record.

What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?

A suspension is temporary—your license is invalid for a set period (usually three to six months), after which you can request reinstatement by paying a fee. A revocation is permanent cancellation of your license, and you must reapply and retake all tests after the revocation period ends (typically one year). Revocation is the more serious penalty.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Georgia suspension?

Yes. Georgia is part of the Compact of Reciprocal Agreements, which means violations you receive in other states are reported to Georgia DDS and count toward your point total. An out-of-state speeding ticket or reckless driving conviction will add points to your Georgia record just as if you had received it in Georgia.

Can I check someone else's driving record?

No. Only the license holder can request their own driving record online or in person. You cannot check another person's record without their written permission and a valid reason (such as being an insurance company or employer with a signed authorization form). This protects driver privacy.