Georgia suspends your license when you reach 15 points in a 24-month period
Georgia's Department of Driver Services tracks violations using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 15 points within any 24-month rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license. This is not a warning or a choice — it is a mandatory suspension that takes effect whether you pay the fine or contest the ticket.
The 24-month window means the state looks back two years from today. If you got a speeding ticket 25 months ago, those points no longer count toward the 15-point threshold. But if you got one 20 months ago, it still counts. This rolling calculation matters because you might think you are safe, then realize an old violation is still active.
Georgia also suspends licenses for reasons outside the point system — unpaid tickets, failure to appear in court, or conviction of certain crimes. But the 15-point rule is the most common way a driver loses their license without a criminal charge.
Key Takeaways
- Your Georgia license suspends automatically when you accumulate 15 points in any 24-month period; you do not have to wait for a notice.
- Common violations carry 2 to 6 points each, so reaching 15 points typically takes three to five violations within two years.
- Points stay on your record for 24 months from the violation date, not from when you paid the fine or went to court.
- You can check your current point total through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by calling their customer service line.
- Once suspended, you must wait the suspension period and pay a reinstatement fee before you can drive legally again.
How many points each Georgia traffic violation costs
Georgia assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A minor infraction like a broken taillight costs 2 points. A serious violation like reckless driving costs 6 points. Most violations fall somewhere in between.
Here are the violations you will see most often and their point values:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over limit | 2 |
| Speeding 11–14 mph over limit | 3 |
| Speeding 15+ mph over limit | 4 |
| Improper lane change | 2 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Running a red light or stop sign | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 6 |
| Hit and run (property damage) | 6 |
| Driving without a valid license | 3 |
| Failure to yield | 3 |
If you were convicted of a violation that does not appear in this table, you can look up the exact point value on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by calling 678-413-8400.
When the suspension takes effect and how long it lasts
The suspension does not happen the day you get a ticket. It happens after you are convicted — either by pleading guilty, paying the fine, or losing in court. The Georgia Department of Driver Services then processes the conviction and adds the points to your record. This usually takes 10 to 30 days.
Once you hit 15 points, the state mails you a suspension notice. The suspension typically becomes effective 45 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange alternative transportation. If you ignore the notice and keep driving, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a separate crime.
The length of the suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. A first suspension lasts 6 months. A second suspension within five years lasts 12 months. A third or later suspension within five years lasts 24 months. The clock resets five years after your most recent suspension.
How to check your current point total
You do not have to wait for a suspension notice to know where you stand. The Georgia Department of Driver Services lets you check your driving record online through their website at dds.georgia.gov. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth.
Your online record shows every conviction on file, the date of each violation, and the points assigned. It also shows any suspensions, restrictions, or other actions against your license. This record is the same one law enforcement sees when they run your license during a traffic stop.
If you do not want to check online, you can call the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8400 during business hours and ask a representative to read your record over the phone. You can also visit a local DDS office in person and request a printout of your driving record.
What happens if you get a ticket while already suspended
Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. A third or later offense within five years is a felony.
The state does not care whether you knew your license was suspended. Ignorance is not a defense. If you received a suspension notice and drove anyway, you can be arrested. If you did not receive the notice but your license was suspended, you can still be charged — the burden is on you to know your status.
This is why checking your record regularly matters. If you are close to 15 points, you know to be extra careful. If you have already been suspended, you know not to drive until the suspension is lifted.
How to get your license back after suspension
Once your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must pay a reinstatement fee to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. The fee is $210 for a standard reinstatement and $250 if you were suspended for a point accumulation.
You can pay the reinstatement fee online at dds.georgia.gov, by mail, or in person at a DDS office. After you pay, the state processes your reinstatement, which usually takes 5 to 10 business days. During this time, your license is still suspended. You cannot drive until the state confirms your reinstatement is complete.
If you were suspended for unpaid tickets or failure to appear in court, you must resolve those issues before you can reinstate. The DDS website will tell you what you owe and to whom. You may need to contact the court that issued the ticket or the agency that suspended you.
Options if you are close to 15 points
If you have 10 or more points in the past 24 months, you are at risk. You have a few options to protect yourself.
Defensive driving course: Georgia allows you to reduce your points by taking an approved defensive driving course. The course removes up to 7 points from your record, but only if you have not taken one in the past five years. The course costs between $20 and $50 and takes about four hours. You can take it online or in person. After you complete it, send your certificate to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, and they will remove the points within 30 days.
Contest the ticket: If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can fight it in traffic court. If you win, the conviction is dismissed and no points are added. If you lose, the points are added and the suspension clock starts. Contesting a ticket does not stop points from being added while your case is pending — they are added only after conviction.
Negotiate a reduction: Some prosecutors will reduce a charge to a lesser violation with fewer points if you plead guilty. For example, a speeding ticket might be reduced to a non-moving violation with zero points. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking your prosecutor or hiring a traffic attorney to negotiate on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Georgia's 15-point suspension?
Yes. Georgia counts convictions from other states and adds them to your Georgia driving record. The points assigned may differ from what the other state uses, but Georgia converts them to its own point system. This means a serious violation from another state can push you toward suspension in Georgia.
Can I get points removed before 24 months?
Yes, through a defensive driving course. You can remove up to 7 points by taking an approved course, but only once every five years. Points also disappear automatically after 24 months from the violation date, not from when you paid the fine.
What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?
Georgia law holds the registered owner responsible for the vehicle, not necessarily the driver. If someone else was driving your car and got a ticket, you will receive the citation. You can go to court and testify that you were not driving, and the judge may dismiss the ticket. But if you do not show up or contest it, the points go on your record.
Does paying a ticket faster make points go away sooner?
No. Points stay on your record for 24 months from the date of the violation, regardless of when you pay the fine. Paying when ready does not remove points faster. However, paying on time prevents additional penalties like late fees or a failure-to-pay suspension.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
Georgia does offer a limited driving permit for certain suspensions, but not for point accumulation. If you were suspended for unpaid tickets or failure to appear, you may be able to get a permit to drive to work or school. You must request this from the Georgia Department of Driver Services and show financial hardship. Point-based suspensions do not may have access to for a hardship permit.