Georgia suspends your license when you reach 15 points within a 24-month period
Georgia's Department of Driver Services tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a specific point value. When your total reaches 15 points in any 24-month rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license for a minimum of 30 days. This is not a warning or a notice to be careful — it is a mandatory suspension that takes effect whether you request a hearing or not.
The 24-month window means the state looks back two years from today. If you got a speeding ticket 18 months ago and another one today, both count toward your total. But if your first ticket was 25 months ago, it drops off the calculation. Points do not disappear from your record after 24 months — they stay there permanently — but they stop counting toward suspension once they age past two years.
Understanding how many points each violation costs you is the only way to know how close you are to suspension. A minor speeding ticket is not the same as reckless driving, and Georgia's point values reflect that difference.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia suspends your license automatically when you accumulate 15 points within 24 months; you do not have to wait for a hearing or notice.
- Different violations carry different point values — speeding 1 to 10 miles over the limit is 2 points, but speeding 26+ miles over is 6 points.
- Points age out of the 24-month calculation after two years, but they remain on your permanent record and can affect insurance rates.
- You can request a hearing before the Department of Driver Services to contest the suspension, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.
- Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points on your record, but only one course reduction is allowed per 12-month period.
Point values for common Georgia traffic violations
Georgia assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A speeding ticket does not automatically mean the same number of points for everyone — it depends on how far over the limit you were driving.
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over limit | 2 |
| Speeding 11–14 mph over limit | 3 |
| Speeding 15–18 mph over limit | 4 |
| Speeding 19–23 mph over limit | 5 |
| Speeding 24+ mph over limit | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Improper lane change | 2 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Failure to obey traffic signal | 3 |
| Driving without a valid license | 3 |
| Hit and run (property damage) | 6 |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) | 6 |
Some violations, like parking tickets or equipment violations, do not carry points at all. The ticket itself may cost you money, but it will not move you closer to suspension. You can find the complete point schedule on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by calling them at 678-413-8400.
How to check your current point total
You can look up your own driving record through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Visit their website at dds.ga.gov and use the online driver record request system. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The record costs money — typically around $7 to $10 — but it shows every violation on your record and the points assigned to each one.
Your insurance company also has access to your driving record and may have already told you about violations. If you received a ticket and paid it or went to court, that does not automatically mean the points were removed. The violation still appears on your record unless you took specific steps to reduce or remove the points.
Defensive driving course and point reduction
Georgia allows you to reduce your point total by completing a defensive driving course. If you finish an approved course, the Department of Driver Services will reduce your record by 7 points. This reduction happens only once per 12-month period, so you cannot take multiple courses in quick succession to erase a large point total.
The course must be approved by the state — not every online driving course qualifies. The Georgia Department of Driver Services maintains a list of approved providers on its website. Courses typically take 4 to 6 hours to complete, either in person or online. You will pay a course fee, usually between $20 and $50, plus the cost of the state-approved certificate.
Taking a defensive driving course does not erase violations from your record. It only reduces the points. The violation itself stays there, which means your insurance company can still see it. However, reducing points keeps you below the 15-point suspension threshold, which is the when ready concern.
What happens when your license is suspended
When you reach 15 points, the Department of Driver Services sends you a suspension notice by mail. The suspension takes effect 10 days after you receive the notice. During those 10 days, you have the right to request a hearing to contest the suspension, but you must do so in writing within that window. straightforward requesting a hearing does not stop the suspension — it only gives you a chance to present your case to a hearing officer.
Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Georgia and carries its own penalties, including fines and potential jail time. Your vehicle can also be impounded if you are caught driving.
The minimum suspension period is 30 days. After that period ends, you can request reinstatement through the Department of Driver Services. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, typically around $210, and provide proof that you have resolved any other issues (such as unpaid fines or court costs). If you accumulate 15 points again within a certain timeframe, your license can be suspended again for a longer period — up to one year or more depending on your history.
Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension
You have the right to a hearing before a hearing officer at the Department of Driver Services. This hearing is your chance to argue that the suspension should not happen or that there is an error in your record. You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. The notice itself will tell you where to send your request.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violations on your record are incorrect or that there are circumstances the Department of Driver Services should consider. However, the hearing officer's job is to verify that the points are accurate and that you have reached the 15-point threshold — not to decide whether the point system itself is fair. If the points are correct, the suspension will be upheld.
Requesting a hearing does not automatically delay your suspension. You should assume the suspension will take effect as scheduled unless the Department of Driver Services tells you otherwise in writing.
How violations stay on your record and affect insurance
Traffic violations remain on your Georgia driving record permanently. However, for the purpose of calculating suspension, points only count for 24 months. After two years, the violation no longer adds to your point total, but it is still visible on your record if someone pulls it.
Your insurance company uses your driving record to set your rates. A violation that is two years old and no longer counts toward suspension can still cause your insurance premiums to increase. Some insurers may drop you entirely if you have multiple violations or a suspension on your record. The length of time an insurer looks back varies — some use three years, some use five — so an old violation may still affect your rates even though it no longer counts toward suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed from my record without taking a defensive driving course?
No. The only way to reduce points in Georgia is to complete an approved defensive driving course, which removes 7 points once per 12 months. Violations do not disappear from your record, and paying a fine does not remove points. After 24 months, points stop counting toward suspension, but they remain on your permanent record.
What if I got a ticket but the officer made a mistake?
You can contest the ticket in traffic court before it becomes part of your record. If you win in court, the violation is dismissed and no points are assigned. If you have already paid the ticket or been convicted, you can request a hearing with the Department of Driver Services to argue that the points are incorrect, but you will need evidence that the violation itself was wrong.
Does a suspended license affect my ability to get a job?
That depends on the job. If your work requires driving, a suspended license will prevent you from doing that job. Some employers also run background checks that include driving records. However, a suspension itself is not a criminal conviction — it is an administrative action by the Department of Driver Services.
How long does a suspension last after the first one?
The first suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days. If you accumulate 15 points again within three years of the first suspension, the second suspension lasts at least six months. A third suspension within five years lasts at least one year. The timeframes and lengths increase with each suspension.
Can I drive to work during a suspension if I have a special permit?
Georgia does not issue a "work permit" that allows you to drive during a points-based suspension. You cannot legally drive at all during the suspension period. Once the suspension ends and you pay the reinstatement fee, your full driving privileges are restored.