Georgia's points system tracks traffic violations on your driving record
Georgia's Department of Driver Services assigns points to your driving record when you receive a traffic citation for certain violations. The points stay on your record for a set time and accumulate if you receive multiple citations. When your total reaches a threshold, the state suspends your license — meaning you cannot legally drive until you complete the reinstatement process.
The system exists to identify and remove dangerous drivers from the road. Points are not fines; they are a separate consequence that appears on your record regardless of whether you paid a ticket or fought it in court. A conviction for the violation is what triggers the points, not the ticket itself.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia assigns 2 to 6 points per violation depending on the offense, with serious violations like reckless driving worth more points than minor speeding.
- Accumulating 15 points within 24 months results in a mandatory license suspension, and you cannot drive legally until you complete reinstatement.
- Points remain on your record for two to seven years depending on the violation type, and older points do not disappear automatically when you reach the suspension threshold.
- You can reduce points through a defensive driving course, which removes up to 7 points from your record once every five years.
- Suspensions triggered by points accumulation require you to pay a reinstatement fee and may require proof of insurance before you can drive again.
How many points each traffic violation carries in Georgia
Georgia assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Minor infractions like speeding carry fewer points than dangerous driving behaviors. The state publishes the point value for each violation type, and the points are assigned when you are convicted — either by pleading guilty, paying the fine, or losing in traffic court.
Common violations and their point values include: speeding (2 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit), improper lane change (2 points), following too closely (3 points), reckless driving (6 points), driving under the influence (6 points), hit and run (6 points), and driving with a suspended or revoked license (6 points). Violations that cause accidents or injuries may carry higher points or additional penalties.
If you receive a citation and are unsure of the point value, the citation itself should list the violation code. You can also contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services or check your driving record online through their website to see what violations are currently on file.
When Georgia suspends your license for too many points
Your license is suspended automatically when you accumulate 15 or more points within a 24-month period. You will receive a notice from the Department of Driver Services stating the suspension date and the reason. The suspension takes effect on the date listed in the notice, and you cannot legally drive after that date.
The suspension remains in place until you complete the reinstatement process. straightforward waiting does not restore your license — you must take specific steps with the state. The length of the suspension depends on how many points triggered it and whether you have had previous suspensions. A first suspension for points accumulation typically lasts three months, but this can vary.
Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Georgia and carries fines, possible jail time, and additional points on your record. If you are stopped while suspended, you face arrest and vehicle impoundment.
How long points stay on your Georgia driving record
Points do not disappear after a set time automatically. Instead, they remain on your record for a specific period depending on the violation type. Most violations carry points for two to seven years from the conviction date. After that time period expires, the points are removed from your record, but the violation itself may still appear as a historical entry.
This matters because points accumulate over time. If you received a violation three years ago worth 4 points, and that violation carries a seven-year retention period, those 4 points are still counting toward your 15-point suspension threshold today. Older violations do not stop counting just because you have been driving safely since then.
You can view your driving record through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by visiting a driver services office in person. Your record shows the violation date, the point value, and the date the points will be removed.
Defensive driving courses can reduce your points
Georgia allows you to remove up to 7 points from your driving record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can take the course once every five years. The course must be approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services — not all driving schools or online courses may have access to, so verify approval before enrolling.
The course typically takes four to eight hours to complete, depending on whether you take it in person or online. You pay a fee to the course provider, which varies but is usually between $25 and $100. After you finish, the provider sends a completion certificate to the Department of Driver Services, and the points are removed from your record within a few weeks.
Taking a defensive driving course does not erase violations from your record or affect insurance rates directly — it only removes points. However, some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving course, so it is worth asking your insurer whether they participate in such a program.
Reinstatement after a points suspension
To restore your license after a suspension for points accumulation, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. The fee is $210 for a suspension triggered by points accumulation. You can pay online through the department's website, by mail, or in person at a driver services office.
After you pay the fee, your license is reinstated, and you can drive legally again. However, if you accumulate 15 points again within 24 months of reinstatement, your license will be suspended again. The suspension period may be longer on a second or subsequent offense.
Some suspensions may also require proof of insurance before reinstatement. Check the suspension notice or contact the Department of Driver Services to confirm what is required in your case. If you cannot afford the reinstatement fee, contact the department to ask about payment plans or hardship waivers, though these are not may provide.
How to check your Georgia driving record and points
You can view your driving record and current points total through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to access your record online. The record shows all violations, the points assigned to each, and the date each violation will be removed from your record.
You can also request a copy of your driving record in person at any Georgia driver services office or by mail. There is a small fee for an official copy, usually around $5 to $10. Having a copy of your record is useful if you are disputing a violation or need to show your record to an insurance company or employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fight a traffic ticket to avoid points?
Yes. If you contest the ticket in traffic court and win, the violation is dismissed and no points are assigned to your record. If you lose or plead guilty, points are assigned based on the violation. Fighting a ticket does not may provide a win, but it is your right to challenge the citation in court.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Georgia suspension?
Yes. Georgia counts violations from other states toward your 15-point suspension threshold through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you are convicted of a traffic violation in another state, that violation and its points are reported to Georgia and added to your record.
What happens if I get points while my license is already suspended?
Additional violations while suspended result in more points being added to your record. When you complete reinstatement and your license is restored, those new points count toward a future suspension. This is why it is critical not to drive while suspended.
Can I remove points without taking a defensive driving course?
No. The only way to remove points from your Georgia record is to complete an approved defensive driving course. Points cannot be removed by paying a fee, waiting, or any other method. However, points do expire and are removed automatically after their retention period ends.
How does a points suspension affect my insurance?
A license suspension itself does not directly affect your insurance rates, but the traffic violations that caused the suspension do. Insurance companies review your driving record and may raise your rates or drop your coverage based on violations. Some insurers also require proof of insurance before you can reinstate a suspended license.