Georgia suspends your license when you accumulate 15 points within 24 months
Georgia's Department of Driver Services tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. When your points reach 15 within any 24-month period, the state automatically suspends your license. The suspension lasts until you meet reinstatement requirements — typically paying a fee and waiting out a minimum suspension period.
Points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation. Most traffic violations remain for three years, though some serious offenses like DUI stay longer. This means you could accumulate points from violations that happened years apart and still hit the 15-point threshold.
The point total that triggers suspension is the same for all drivers — 15 points in 24 months. However, commercial drivers face a separate, stricter system: they lose their commercial driving privileges at 12 points in 12 months.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia suspends your license automatically when you reach 15 points within any 24-month rolling period.
- Different violations carry different point values, ranging from 2 points for minor infractions to 6 points for serious offenses like reckless driving.
- Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, so older violations can still count toward the 15-point threshold.
- Once suspended, you must pay a reinstatement fee and complete a minimum suspension period before you can drive legally again.
What each type of violation costs in points
Georgia assigns points based on how serious the violation is. A speeding ticket for going 10 miles per hour over the limit costs 2 points, while speeding 34 miles per hour or more over the limit costs 6 points. A single serious violation can put you halfway to suspension.
Reckless driving, improper passing, and following too closely each carry 4 points. Hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license, and racing all carry 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) carries 4 points, though a DUI conviction also triggers a separate administrative suspension that happens when ready, before the points even matter.
Minor violations like failure to obey a traffic signal, improper turn, or equipment violations typically cost 3 points. Parking violations and expired registration do not add points to your driving record.
How the 24-month rolling window works
Georgia does not count points from violations that are older than 24 months. The system uses a rolling window, meaning it looks back 24 months from today. If you got a ticket 25 months ago, that violation no longer counts toward your total, even if the points technically remain on your record.
This matters because you could have 14 points from violations spread across two years, then have one violation drop off after 24 months, bringing you back down to 10 points. Conversely, if you get a new violation while you still have older ones on your record, you could cross the 15-point threshold suddenly.
You can request a copy of your driving record from the Georgia Department of Driver Services to see exactly which violations are currently counting toward your total. This is the only way to know for certain how close you are to suspension.
What happens when you reach 15 points
The Georgia Department of Driver Services sends you a notice by mail when your points reach 15. The notice tells you the suspension will take effect on a specific date — usually 10 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot prevent the suspension by paying fines or taking a defensive driving course once you have already hit 15 points.
Your license becomes invalid on the suspension date. Driving with a suspended license is itself a violation that carries 6 points and can result in arrest. You cannot legally drive to work, to the store, or anywhere else during the suspension period.
The length of the suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. A first suspension typically lasts 6 months. A second suspension within 10 years lasts 12 months. A third or subsequent suspension within 10 years lasts 3 years.
How to reinstate your license after suspension
To reinstate your license, you must first complete the suspension period. You cannot shorten it by paying extra fees or taking classes. Once the suspension period ends, you can explore for reinstatement through the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Reinstatement requires paying a fee, which varies depending on whether this is your first, second, or third suspension. You will also need to provide proof of financial responsibility — typically an SR-22 insurance form — if your suspension was related to a DUI, reckless driving, or an at-fault accident.
After you submit your reinstatement request and fee, the Department of Driver Services processes it and mails you a new license. This typically takes one to two weeks. You cannot legally drive until you receive the new license in the mail.
Defensive driving courses and point reduction
Georgia allows you to reduce points on your record by taking an approved defensive driving course, but only under specific conditions. You can remove up to 7 points from your record by completing a course, but only once every five years. This means a defensive driving course cannot prevent suspension if you are already at or near 15 points.
The course must be approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You pay for the course yourself — costs vary by provider but typically range from $20 to $50. You must complete the course before the violation is three years old, and you cannot use a course to reduce points from a DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run conviction.
If you have 10 points and take a defensive driving course, you drop to 3 points. If you then get a new 4-point violation, you are back to 7 points. The course is most useful as a preventive measure when you have accumulated points but have not yet reached the suspension threshold.
Checking your current point total
You can check your driving record online through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by visiting a local driver services office in person. Online checks cost $7 and take a few minutes. In-person checks are free but require a trip to your local office.
Your driving record shows every violation on file, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and the date the violation will drop off your record. This is the only official way to know your exact point total and which violations are currently counting toward the 15-point threshold.
If you see an error on your record — a violation you did not commit, or points assigned incorrectly — you can dispute it by contacting the Georgia Department of Driver Services with documentation. Errors are rare but do happen, especially when violations are transferred from other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed before I reach 15?
Yes, through a defensive driving course, which removes up to 7 points once every five years. You can also wait for violations to age off your record after three years. Taking a course early, when you have 8 to 10 points, is more effective than waiting until you are close to suspension.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Georgia suspension?
Yes. Georgia's system includes violations from other states if you were driving a Georgia-registered vehicle or held a Georgia license. The points assigned may differ from what the other state assigned, but Georgia converts them to its own point scale.
What if I was not the driver when the ticket was issued?
You can contest the ticket in traffic court before it is added to your record. If the ticket is already on your record, you can request a hearing with the Georgia Department of Driver Services to dispute it. You will need evidence that someone else was driving, such as a police report or witness statement.
Does my suspension affect my insurance rates?
Yes. A suspension appears on your driving record and insurers can see it. Most insurers will raise your rates or drop you entirely after a suspension. You will also be required to carry SR-22 insurance during and after the suspension period if the suspension was related to a DUI or at-fault accident.
Can I drive to work during a suspension if I have a hardship?
Georgia does not issue hardship licenses or work permits during a suspension. You cannot legally drive for any reason during the suspension period. Your only option is to use public transportation, ride-sharing, or ask someone else to drive.