What Georgia's point system does to your license

Georgia tracks moving violations on your driving record using a point system. Each violation adds a set number of points — a speeding ticket might add 2 points, while reckless driving adds 4. When your total reaches 15 points within a 24-month period, the Georgia Department of Driver Services suspends your license for at least 30 days. The more serious your violations, the faster you accumulate points and the sooner suspension becomes likely.

Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date, then drop off automatically. This means a ticket from January 2023 stops counting toward your total in January 2025. However, the violation itself remains visible on your driving history for longer — typically seven years for insurance purposes — even after points expire.

Your insurance company can see all violations on your record, not just the points. They may raise your rates based on violations even after the points have expired, so the point system is really about license suspension risk, while your insurance rates depend on a longer history.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia suspends your license when you reach 15 points in 24 months, and the suspension lasts at least 30 days.
  • Points drop off your record two years after the violation date, but the violation itself stays visible to insurers for about seven years.
  • Different violations carry different point values — speeding is typically 2 points, while reckless driving is 4 points.
  • You can request a hearing before suspension takes effect if you receive notice from the Department of Driver Services.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points on your record, though you can only do this once every five years.

Point values for common Georgia violations

Georgia assigns points based on the type and severity of the violation. Speeding violations are the most common and typically carry 2 points, whether you were going 10 miles over the limit or 30. Improper lane change, following too closely, and running a stop sign each add 2 points. Reckless driving — which Georgia defines as driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety — carries 4 points.

Hit-and-run violations, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and fleeing or eluding police each add 6 points. These are serious violations that move you toward suspension quickly. Driving under the influence (DUI) adds 4 points if you are convicted, though a DUI conviction also triggers an automatic license suspension separate from the point system — meaning you face suspension twice over.

Some violations, like parking tickets or equipment violations, do not add points at all. The Georgia Department of Driver Services publishes the complete point schedule on its website if you need to check a specific violation type.

How to check your current point total

You can view your driving record and current point total through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. Go to the DDS homepage, select "Check Your Driving Record," and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The record costs $7 and is available when ready online.

You can also request a paper copy of your driving record by mail or in person at any DDS office. The paper version takes longer but shows the same information. Some insurance agents can also pull your record for you, though they may charge a fee.

Check your record at least once a year, especially after receiving a ticket. Errors do happen — violations are sometimes recorded under the wrong license number or with the wrong point value. If you spot an error, contact the DDS directly with documentation of the correct information.

What happens when you reach 15 points

When your point total hits 15 within 24 months, the Georgia Department of Driver Services mails you a suspension notice. The notice tells you the suspension will take effect on a specific date — usually 10 to 15 days after you receive it — unless you request a hearing. You have the right to request a hearing before suspension takes effect, and you should do so if you believe the points were recorded incorrectly or if you have circumstances the DDS should consider.

If you do not request a hearing, your license suspends automatically on the date listed in the notice. You cannot legally drive during the suspension period. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that adds 6 points to your record and can result in arrest.

The minimum suspension period is 30 days for a first suspension. If you accumulate 15 points again within five years of your first suspension, the second suspension lasts at least 60 days. A third suspension within five years lasts at least 12 months. The penalties increase with each suspension.

Requesting a hearing before suspension

To request a hearing, you must respond to the suspension notice in writing within 10 days of receiving it. The notice includes the address where you send your request. You can also request a hearing in person at any DDS office. Tell the DDS that you want a hearing and include your driver's license number and the date of the suspension notice.

At the hearing, you can present evidence that points were recorded incorrectly — for example, a dismissal letter from the court showing a charge was dropped. You can also explain any circumstances you believe are relevant, though the hearing officer is primarily focused on whether the violations were properly recorded. Bring documentation: court records, dismissal letters, or proof that you completed traffic school.

If the hearing officer finds that the points were recorded correctly, the suspension will proceed as scheduled. If errors are found, points may be removed and your suspension may be cancelled. You will receive a written decision by mail after the hearing.

Reducing points through defensive driving course

Georgia allows you to reduce up to 7 points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. The course must be taken through an organization approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services — you cannot straightforward take any online driving course and expect points to be removed. The DDS website lists approved providers.

You can only use this reduction once every five years, so it is most useful if you are approaching 15 points and want to avoid suspension. You must complete the course before your suspension takes effect — points are not removed retroactively after suspension begins. The course typically takes four to eight hours and costs between $20 and $50, depending on the provider.

Some insurance companies also offer a discount for completing a defensive driving course, so you may save money on your premium as well as reduce your point total. Check with your insurer before enrolling to see whether they offer this discount.

How points affect your insurance rates

Insurance companies use violations on your driving record to calculate your rates, and they do not follow Georgia's point system exactly. An insurer might weight a reckless driving violation more heavily than Georgia's 4-point value suggests, or they might explore their own point scale entirely. Most insurers raise rates after any moving violation, with the increase depending on the violation type and your driving history.

A single speeding ticket might raise your rate by 10 to 15 percent. Multiple violations or a serious violation like reckless driving can raise rates by 25 to 50 percent or more. These increases typically last three to five years, even after Georgia's points expire. Some insurers may drop you entirely if you accumulate too many violations in a short time.

If your rates spike after a violation, shop around — different insurers weight violations differently, and you may find better rates elsewhere. Some companies specialize in insuring drivers with violations on their record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before two years?

Yes, by completing an approved defensive driving course, which removes up to 7 points. You can only do this once every five years. You can also request a hearing if you believe points were recorded incorrectly, and the hearing officer may remove them if an error is found. Otherwise, points expire automatically after 24 months.

Does a ticket dismissed in court still add points?

No. If the charge is dismissed or you are found not guilty, no points are added to your record. Bring the court's dismissal letter or acquittal notice to the DDS if the violation still appears on your record — it should be removed.

What is the difference between points and license suspension?

Points are a running total that measures your violation history. Suspension is the penalty that occurs when points reach 15 in 24 months. Some violations, like DUI, also trigger an automatic suspension separate from the point system.

If I move out of Georgia, do the points follow me?

Yes. Georgia violations stay on your record even if you move and get a license in another state. Your new state may have its own point system, but Georgia violations will appear on your driving history when insurers or law enforcement check it.

How long does a license suspension last?

The first suspension lasts at least 30 days. A second suspension within five years lasts at least 60 days. A third suspension within five years lasts at least 12 months. You can request a hearing before suspension takes effect, but the hearing officer cannot reduce the suspension length — they can only cancel it if points were recorded incorrectly.