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 type of violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 15 points in any 24-month rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license. This is not a warning or a fine — it is a mandatory suspension that prevents you from driving legally until you complete reinstatement steps.

The 24-month window is a rolling period, not a calendar year. If you received 10 points on March 15, 2023, and 6 points on March 10, 2024, you would hit 16 points and trigger suspension. Points from violations older than 24 months no longer count toward your total, but they remain on your record for insurance and other purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia suspends your license automatically when you accumulate 15 points within 24 months, with no discretion or appeal of the threshold itself.
  • Common violations carry 2 to 6 points each; reckless driving and at-fault accidents carry more, while minor infractions like broken taillights carry 1 point.
  • Your suspension notice comes by mail from the Department of Driver Services and specifies the date your license becomes invalid.
  • To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee, serve a mandatory waiting period, and sometimes complete a defensive driving course.
  • Points stay on your driving record for 24 months from the violation date, even after suspension ends, and affect your insurance rates during that time.

How points are assigned to common Georgia violations

Georgia assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. A speeding ticket 10 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 19 miles per hour or more over the limit is 4 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 3 points. Reckless driving is 4 points. An at-fault accident is 3 points if no one was injured and 4 points if someone was injured.

Serious violations carry higher point values. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 4 points on your record, though the suspension consequences are separate and more severe. Hit-and-run is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Minor violations like a broken taillight or expired registration are 1 point each.

If you receive a ticket, the officer or the court paperwork will show the point value. You can also check your current point total by visiting the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or calling their customer service line. Knowing your current total helps you understand how close you are to suspension.

When the suspension notice arrives and what it means

The Georgia Department of Driver Services mails a suspension notice to the address on file with your license. The notice specifies the date your license becomes suspended — usually 10 to 30 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange transportation. On that date, your license is no longer valid for driving. Driving after suspension is illegal and carries criminal penalties including fines and jail time.

The suspension notice also lists the violations that pushed you over 15 points and explains your reinstatement options. Keep this notice; you will need it to complete reinstatement. If you do not receive a notice, contact the Department of Driver Services directly to confirm your suspension status, because the suspension takes effect whether or not you received the mail.

Reinstatement requirements after a point-based suspension

Reinstatement is not automatic. You must take specific steps in order. First, you must serve a mandatory waiting period. For a first point-based suspension, the waiting period is typically 30 days from the suspension date. If you have been suspended for points before, the waiting period may be longer.

Second, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This fee varies but is typically between $200 and $300. You can pay by mail, online, or in person at a DDS office. Third, you must pass a written knowledge test at a DDS office to prove you understand Georgia traffic laws. Some suspensions also require you to complete a defensive driving course before reinstatement is possible.

After you have waited the required period, paid the fee, and passed the test (and completed any required course), you can visit a DDS office to receive your reinstated license. Bring your suspension notice, proof of payment, and a valid form of identification. Your license will be returned to you on the same day if all requirements are met.

How points affect your insurance rates and record

Insurance companies receive copies of your driving record and use points to calculate your rates. A single violation can raise your premium by 10 to 40 percent, depending on the violation type and your insurer. Multiple violations in a short time can double or triple your rate. Some insurers may refuse to renew your policy if your record shows too many points or a suspension.

Points remain on your driving record for 24 months from the date of the violation, even after your suspension ends and your license is reinstated. This means your insurance rates will stay elevated for the full 24-month period. After 24 months, the points drop off your record and no longer count toward suspension, but the violation itself may remain visible to insurers for longer periods depending on their underwriting rules.

Reducing points through defensive driving courses

Georgia allows you to reduce your points by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can remove up to 7 points from your record by taking one course, but only if you have not taken a course in the past 24 months. The course must be approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services; not all online or in-person courses may have access to.

Taking a course before you reach 15 points can prevent suspension. For example, if you have 12 points and take an approved course, you can reduce your total to 5 points and reset your progress toward suspension. However, if you are already suspended, you cannot take a course to reduce points before reinstatement — you must complete reinstatement first, then you can take a course to prevent future suspensions.

Approved courses typically cost between $20 and $50 and take 4 to 8 hours to complete. You can find a list of approved providers on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. After you complete the course, the provider sends proof to DDS, and the points are removed from your record within 30 days.

What happens if you drive on a suspended license

Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $300 to $1,000. A second offense within five years carries a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail. A third or subsequent offense within five years is a felony.

If you are stopped while suspended, your vehicle can be impounded, and you will face arrest. Your license suspension will be extended, and you will have additional criminal charges on your record. If you need to drive during suspension for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a limited permit from the Department of Driver Services, though this is granted only in specific circumstances and requires a formal petition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my points reduced before I hit 15?

Yes. Taking an approved defensive driving course removes up to 7 points from your record, but you can only take one course per 24 months. If you have 12 points and take a course, you drop to 5 points and reset your progress toward suspension. This is your best option to avoid suspension entirely.

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

Yes. Georgia's point system includes violations from other states if they are reported to Georgia through the National Driver Register. A speeding ticket from Florida or a reckless driving charge from South Carolina will add points to your Georgia record and count toward the 15-point suspension threshold.

How long does reinstatement take after I pay the fee?

If you meet all requirements — waiting period served, fee paid, knowledge test passed, and any required course completed — you can receive your reinstated license the same day you visit a DDS office. Processing by mail takes 7 to 10 business days. You cannot drive legally until you hold the reinstated license in hand.

Will my insurance company know about my suspension?

Yes. Insurance companies receive your driving record regularly and will see the suspension. Many insurers will cancel your policy or refuse to renew it after a suspension. You may need to find a high-risk insurer, which charges significantly higher rates. Some states require you to carry an SR22 certificate after suspension, though Georgia does not mandate this for point-based suspensions.

Can I appeal the 15-point suspension threshold?

No. The 15-point threshold is set by Georgia law and is not subject to appeal or discretion. However, you can contest individual violations if you believe the ticket was issued in error. If you win that contest and the violation is removed, your point total will be recalculated. You can also request a hearing if you believe there was an error in how points were calculated or recorded.