Georgia suspends your license when you reach 15 points in a 24-month period if you are 18 or older

In Georgia, the Department of Driver Services tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation you receive carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 15 points within any 24-month window, the state automatically suspends your license. This is different from suspensions for specific offenses like DUI or reckless driving — this is purely a math-based suspension tied to how many violations stack up.

The 24-month period is a rolling window, not a calendar year. This means the state looks back 24 months from today, counts all points you received in that time, and if the total is 15 or more, your license is suspended. Once you go 24 months without receiving any new violations, the oldest points fall off and your total drops.

You will receive a notice in the mail before your suspension takes effect, giving you time to understand what happened and what comes next. The notice will show your current point total, which violations caused it, and the date your suspension begins.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia suspends licenses for drivers 18 and older when they accumulate 15 points within a 24-month rolling period.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket might be 2 points, while reckless driving is 4 points.
  • Points stay on your record for 24 months from the violation date, then drop off automatically if you receive no new violations.
  • You can reduce points through a defensive driving course, which removes up to 7 points from your record once every five years.

How points are assigned to common violations

Georgia's point system assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding carries 2 points for most cases, while more serious violations carry more. Reckless driving is 4 points. Improper passing is 3 points. Failure to obey a traffic signal is 3 points. Running a red light is 3 points.

Some violations carry no points at all — these are usually minor infractions like a broken taillight or expired registration. You still pay a fine, but they do not count toward the 15-point suspension threshold. Other violations, like DUI or hit-and-run, trigger an automatic suspension that is separate from the point system entirely.

If you receive multiple violations in a single traffic stop, each one adds points. A stop for speeding and an unsafe lane change would add 2 points plus 2 points, for example. The violations do not combine into one charge — they are counted separately on your record.

The 24-month rolling window explained

The 24-month period is not tied to the calendar year. Instead, it rolls forward continuously. If you received a violation on March 15, 2023, that violation's points count toward your total until March 15, 2025. On March 16, 2025, those points drop off automatically.

This matters because you could receive a violation in January, stay clean for 23 months, then receive another violation in December of the following year. Both violations would be within the 24-month window and would count together. But if you wait until January of the third year to receive that second violation, the first one has aged out and no longer counts.

The state does not send you a reminder of when points will drop off. You can check your driving record through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by visiting a driver services office in person. Knowing when your oldest points expire helps you understand how close you are to the 15-point threshold.

What happens when you reach 15 points

When your point total reaches 15, the Department of Driver Services mails you a suspension notice. The notice includes the date your suspension will begin, usually 10 to 15 days after you receive the letter. Your license becomes invalid on that date, and you cannot legally drive.

The length of your suspension depends on whether this is your first suspension or a repeat offense. A first suspension typically lasts 30 days. If you have been suspended before, the suspension period increases — a second suspension is usually 60 days, and a third or subsequent suspension can be 180 days or longer.

During the suspension, you cannot drive for any reason — not to work, not to school, not for emergencies. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in arrest, fines, and additional license suspension.

How to reduce points through defensive driving

Georgia allows you to remove up to 7 points from your record by completing a defensive driving course. This course is a classroom or online program that teaches safe driving practices. You can take it once every five years, meaning you could potentially remove 7 points, wait five years, and remove another 7 points.

The course must be approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Many driving schools and online providers offer these courses, and they typically cost between $20 and $50. The course takes about four to six hours to complete, depending on whether you take it in person or online.

After you complete the course, the provider sends a certificate to the Department of Driver Services on your behalf. The state then removes the points from your record. This process usually takes two to four weeks. The points do not disappear when ready — you have to wait for the state to process the certificate and update your record.

Taking a defensive driving course does not erase violations from your record. The violation still appears on your driving history, but the points associated with it are removed. Insurance companies can still see the violation, though some insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete defensive driving courses.

How to check your point total and driving record

You can view your Georgia driving record online through the Department of Driver Services website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows all violations from the past three to five years, the points assigned to each, and the date each violation occurred.

You can also request a copy of your driving record in person at any Georgia driver services office. Bring your driver's license and be prepared to pay a small fee, usually around $5. The in-person record is the same as the online version but arrives as a printed document you can take home.

Checking your record regularly helps you stay aware of your point total and know how close you are to suspension. If you are approaching 15 points, you can plan to take a defensive driving course before you hit that threshold and avoid suspension altogether.

What to do if your license is suspended

If your license is suspended due to points, you must wait out the suspension period. You cannot request an early reinstatement or appeal the suspension based on hardship — the suspension is automatic once you reach 15 points.

When your suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated. You do not have to reapply or visit a driver services office unless you want to renew your license for other reasons. However, you should verify that your license has been reinstated before you drive, because driving on a suspended license is a crime.

After your suspension ends, your points remain on your record for the full 24-month period from the violation date. This means you can be suspended again if you receive new violations that push your total back to 15 points. Staying violation-free after a suspension is the best way to avoid another one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back before the suspension period ends?

No. Point-based suspensions are automatic and cannot be shortened or appealed. You must wait for the full suspension period to end. However, if your suspension is for a different reason — like unpaid child support or an unpaid traffic fine — you may be able to resolve that issue and get reinstated early.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Georgia's 15-point threshold?

Yes. Georgia counts violations from other states on your driving record. If you received a speeding ticket in Florida, for example, Georgia will add those points to your total. The point value may differ slightly from Georgia's system, but the violation still counts.

What happens to my points if I move out of Georgia?

Your Georgia driving record follows you. If you move to another state and get a Georgia license suspension, that suspension is valid and enforceable. If you move and get a license in a new state, your Georgia record still exists and can affect your ability to get a license in that new state.

Can I take a defensive driving course before I get suspended to prevent it?

Yes. If you know you are close to 15 points, you can take a defensive driving course to remove up to 7 points before you reach the suspension threshold. This is one of the few ways to avoid suspension once violations are on your record.

Do points drop off automatically, or do I have to request it?

Points drop off automatically after 24 months from the violation date. You do not have to do anything or contact the Department of Driver Services. The state's system removes them on its own, though it may take a few days for the change to show on your online record.