Points, tickets and licence suspension in Georgia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can read Georgia's points table for common violations.
• You can explain the suspension limits for drivers under 18, under 21 and adults.
• You can list the offenses that suspend any driver under 21.
• You can describe how the Super Speeder fee works.
• You can explain how a defensive driving course can reduce or avoid points.

What you need to know and understand

• Speeding 15 to 18 mph over is 2 points; 19 to 23 over is 3; 24 to 33 over is 4; 34 or more over is 6.
• Reckless driving is 4 points; aggressive driving and unlawfully passing a school bus are 6 points each.
• Under 18, 4 points within 12 months means suspension.
• Under 21, any single 4-point offense means suspension: 6 months for a first conviction and 12 months for a second.
• Anyone with 15 or more points in 24 months is suspended.
• Points are counted from the date of the violation, and out-of-state violations are added for Georgia residents.
• A plea of nolo contendere counts as a conviction for under-21 suspensions.

How many points a ticket costs

• Hands-Free law: 1 point (first), 2 (second), 3 (third or later).
• Child restraint: 1 point (first), 2 (later).
• Open container of alcohol: 2 points.
• Speeding 15 to 18 mph over: 2 points. 19 to 23 over: 3 points.
• Disobeying a traffic-control device or officer, impeding traffic, and most other moving violations: 3 points.
• Speeding 24 to 33 mph over, reckless driving, improper passing on a hill or curve: 4 points.
• Speeding 34 mph or more over, aggressive driving, unlawfully passing a school bus: 6 points.

Young driver suspensions

Georgia suspends the permit or license of anyone under 21 convicted of hit and run, racing, fleeing police, reckless driving, aggressive driving, or any offense worth 4 or more points, including speeding 24 mph or more over the limit. A first conviction means 6 months; a second or later means 12 months. Drivers under 18 are also suspended for reaching 4 points in any 12 months.

A limited driving permit is available only for a speeding suspension of 24 to 33 mph over, only if you are at least 18, and only with the sentencing judge's approval. A Class D holder also needs 12 months without major convictions to move up to a Class C.

Super Speeder, reinstatement and point reduction

A conviction for 75 mph or more on a two-lane road, or 85 mph or more anywhere, adds a $200 Super Speeder fee to the court fine. If you do not pay it on time, your license is suspended and you pay a $50 reinstatement fee on top.

Licensed Georgia residents can complete a certified 6-hour driver improvement (defensive driving) course to have up to 7 points removed, once every 5 years. A driver may also take the course before their court date; the court can then cut the fine by 20 percent and assess no points, again once every 5 years. When a license is suspended for points, the total goes back to zero.

Our Super Speeder and points guide for new drivers works through real examples.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a teen gets the adult 15-point allowance. Under 18 the limit is 4 points in 12 months.
• Pleading nolo contendere to avoid a suspension. For under-21 suspensions it still counts as a conviction.
• Ignoring a Super Speeder notice from DDS. Missing the deadline suspends your license.
• Assuming out-of-state tickets do not count. Georgia adds them to residents' records.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Georgia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Georgia Super Speeder Law and Points for New Drivers
• Georgia 40-Hour Supervised Driving and the Parent/Teen Guide
• Georgia ADAP and eADAP