Georgia's Point System and How Points Get Removed
Georgia removes points from your driving record through two mechanisms: the state's own point reduction program and traffic safety courses. The Georgia Point System assigns points to moving violations — typically 2 to 6 points depending on the offense. Points stay on your record for a set period, but you can reduce them before that time passes by completing an approved defensive driving course.
The most direct route is the Georgia Driver Improvement Program, which allows you to remove up to 7 points from your record once every 12 months. You take an approved course (online or in-person), pay a fee, and the points come off. This is separate from the automatic removal that happens after a certain number of years — points typically fall off on their own after 3 to 7 years depending on the violation type, but waiting that long means living with higher insurance rates in the meantime.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia's Driver Improvement Program removes up to 7 points per 12-month period if you complete an approved defensive driving course.
- You can take a course online or in-person through providers the Georgia Department of Driver Services has approved.
- The course costs between $20 and $50 depending on the provider, and you must complete it before points are removed.
- Points fall off automatically after 3 to 7 years depending on the violation, but removing them sooner lowers your insurance costs when ready.
- You cannot use the Driver Improvement Program if you have been convicted of certain serious violations or if you are a commercial driver.
Who Can Use Georgia's Driver Improvement Program
Not every driver can remove points through the Driver Improvement Program. You are ineligible if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), if you have been convicted of a serious violation like DUI or reckless driving within the past 5 years, or if you are currently under suspension or revocation. You also cannot use the program more than once every 12 months, even if you have accumulated more than 7 points.
If you are a regular (non-commercial) driver with moving violations on your record and no recent serious convictions, you can proceed. The program is designed for drivers who want to reduce points before they accumulate enough to trigger a suspension — Georgia suspends your license when you reach 15 points within a 24-month period.
Finding and Completing an Approved Course
The Georgia Department of Driver Services maintains a list of approved defensive driving course providers on its website. You can search by provider name or by whether you want an online or in-person course. Most providers offer online options that you can complete in 2 to 4 hours, often spread across multiple sessions so you do not have to sit through it all at once.
When you enroll, you will need your driver's license number and the details of the violation you want to address (though the course itself is generic and covers general safe driving practices, not your specific ticket). After you complete the course, the provider sends a certificate of completion to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You do not need to do anything else — the points are removed automatically once the department processes the certificate, which typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Cost and Timeline for Point Removal
Course fees range from $20 to $50 depending on the provider. Some providers charge more for expedited processing or for in-person classroom instruction. You pay the provider directly when you enroll, and that fee is separate from any fine you may have paid for the original ticket.
The timeline works like this: you enroll and complete the course (usually within a few days to a week), the provider sends your certificate to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (1 to 3 days), and the department processes it and removes the points (2 to 4 weeks). From start to finish, expect 3 to 5 weeks. Points are removed retroactively to the date you completed the course, not the date the department processes it.
What Happens If You Have Multiple Violations
If you have accumulated points from more than one violation, you can still remove up to 7 points per 12-month period. The program does not let you choose which violations to address — it removes the oldest points first. So if you have a 4-point violation from two years ago and a 5-point violation from last month, taking one course removes the 4-point violation and 3 of the 5 points from the newer one.
If you have more than 7 points and want to remove all of them, you will need to take courses in separate 12-month periods. You can take another course 12 months after you completed the first one, removing another 7 points. This matters most if you are approaching the 15-point suspension threshold — removing points in stages keeps you from losing your license while you work through the backlog.
Automatic Point Removal and How Long Points Stay On Your Record
Even if you do not take a course, points eventually disappear from your driving record. The timeline depends on the violation type. Most moving violations (speeding, improper lane change, failure to yield) have points that fall off after 3 years. More serious violations like reckless driving or at-fault accidents stay on your record for 5 to 7 years. A few violations, like DUI, can stay for 10 years or longer.
The catch is that insurance companies often see your violations even after points fall off the state record — they maintain their own databases. Removing points through the Driver Improvement Program does not erase the violation from your record, but it does lower your point total when ready, which can prevent a suspension and may help with insurance rates sooner than waiting for automatic removal.
When Point Removal Will Not Help
If you are already suspended or revoked, taking a defensive driving course will not restore your license. You have to complete the suspension period first, then pay a reinstatement fee (typically $210 in Georgia) and pass a written test before you can drive again. The Driver Improvement Program only prevents suspension — it does not undo one that has already happened.
Similarly, if you have been convicted of DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run within the past 5 years, you cannot use the program at all. These violations carry separate penalties and suspension periods that the state does not allow to be shortened through a course. Your only option is to wait out the suspension period and any other court-ordered requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a defensive driving course online, or do I have to go to a classroom?
Most approved providers in Georgia offer online courses that you can complete at your own pace. Some also offer in-person classroom options if you prefer that format. Both types are approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services and result in the same point removal.
How many times can I remove points in a year?
You can remove up to 7 points once every 12 months by taking one approved course. You cannot take multiple courses in the same 12-month period to remove more points — the program limits you to one course per year.
Will removing points from my license lower my insurance rates?
Removing points from your state record may help with insurance rates, but it depends on your insurance company's policies. Insurance companies use their own records, which may not update when ready when the state removes points. Contact your insurer to ask whether they will recalculate your rate once points are removed.
What if I fail to complete the course after I enroll?
If you enroll but do not finish the course, nothing happens — no points are removed, and you are not penalized. You can enroll again at any time and complete it whenever you are ready. The only cost is the course fee itself.
Do I have to tell the court or the police that I took a defensive driving course?
No. You enroll directly with an approved provider, complete the course, and the provider reports to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You do not need to notify the court, the officer who issued the ticket, or anyone else.