Georgia suspends your license when you accumulate 15 points within a 24-month period if you are over 21
Georgia's Department of Driver Services tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a specific point value. When your total reaches 15 points in any 24-month rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license. This applies to all drivers over 21; younger drivers face suspension at 12 points.
The 24-month window means the state looks backward from today. If you received a violation 25 months ago, it no longer counts toward your total. Points do not disappear after a set time — they fall off only when they age out of the 24-month window. A violation from three years ago has no effect on your current point total.
You do not receive a warning letter before suspension. Once your record reaches 15 points, the Department of Driver Services mails a suspension notice to the address on file. The suspension typically takes effect 10 days after the notice is mailed, though you can request a hearing to contest it if you believe the record is wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspends automatically at 15 points within 24 months if you are over 21, with no advance warning beyond the mailed notice.
- Each traffic violation carries a point value ranging from 2 to 6 points depending on the offense; speeding is typically 2 to 3 points, reckless driving is 4 points, and DUI is 6 points.
- Points only count if they occurred within the past 24 months — violations older than that do not affect your total, even if they are still on your record.
- You can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice to dispute the points if you believe the record contains errors.
Point values for common Georgia traffic violations
Georgia assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Minor infractions carry fewer points; serious violations carry more. The point value is set by state law and does not change based on your driving history or the circumstances of the stop.
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1–10 mph over limit) | 2 |
| Speeding (11–14 mph over limit) | 3 |
| Speeding (15+ mph over limit) | 4 |
| Running a red light or stop sign | 3 |
| Improper lane change | 2 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Hit and run (property damage) | 6 |
| DUI (driving under the influence) | 6 |
| Driving with suspended license | 6 |
Not all traffic citations result in points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some administrative violations do not add points to your record. If you receive a citation, the ticket itself will state whether points are assessed.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or by visiting a local DDS office in person. The online system shows all violations from the past three years and their point values. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to access your record online.
Checking your record takes a few minutes and costs nothing. The online system updates within one to two business days after a violation is processed by the court, so there may be a slight delay between receiving a ticket and seeing it on your record. If you received a ticket recently and do not see it yet, check again in a few days.
Your record also shows the date each violation will age out of the 24-month window. This helps you understand when points will stop counting toward suspension. For example, if you received a speeding ticket on January 15, 2023, it will no longer count toward your total on January 15, 2025.
What happens when your license is suspended
A suspension means you cannot legally drive in Georgia or any other state. Driving with a suspended license is itself a violation worth 6 points and can result in criminal charges. The suspension remains in effect until you complete the reinstatement process, which varies depending on why your license was suspended.
For a suspension due to points, you must wait out a mandatory suspension period. In Georgia, a first suspension for points typically lasts 30 days. During this time, you cannot drive at all, even for work or medical appointments. After the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $210) and pass a written test on Georgia traffic laws before your license is restored.
If you receive additional violations while suspended, the suspension period extends. A second suspension within five years lasts 12 months. A third suspension within five years lasts three years. These longer suspensions make it critical to avoid driving once your license is suspended.
How to reduce points through a defensive driving course
Georgia allows you to reduce your point total 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. You can take the course online or in person, and most take between four and eight hours to complete.
The course costs between $20 and $100 depending on the provider. After you complete it, you must submit proof of completion to the Department of Driver Services. The points are removed within one to two weeks of the department receiving your certificate.
Taking a defensive driving course does not erase violations from your record — it only reduces the points associated with them. The violation itself remains visible to insurance companies and law enforcement. The course also does not prevent future suspensions if you continue to accumulate points after the reduction.
Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension
If you believe the Department of Driver Services made an error in calculating your points or recording a violation, you can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. The hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge who reviews your driving record and the court documents for each violation.
To request a hearing, contact the Department of Driver Services in writing or by phone. Include your driver's license number, the date of the suspension notice, and a brief explanation of why you believe the record is incorrect. The department will schedule a hearing date, usually within 30 to 60 days.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that a violation was dismissed in court, that points were incorrectly assigned, or that the violation does not belong on your record. If the judge agrees, the points are removed and the suspension is lifted. If the judge upholds the suspension, you must complete the reinstatement process to restore your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work during a suspension if I have a hardship license?
Georgia does not issue hardship licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period. After the suspension ends and you pay the reinstatement fee, your full driving privileges are restored — there is no intermediate restricted license.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Georgia suspension?
Yes. Georgia counts violations from other states if they are reported to Georgia through the Interstate Compact. Most states report violations, so a speeding ticket in Florida or South Carolina will add points to your Georgia record. The point value may differ from what you would receive in Georgia.
What if I pay a ticket but the points are still on my record?
Paying a ticket does not remove points. Points remain on your record for three years, and they count toward suspension for 24 months. Paying the fine is separate from the points assessment. The only ways to reduce points are to take a defensive driving course or to wait for violations to age out of the 24-month window.
How long does reinstatement take after my suspension ends?
Once your suspension period ends, you can reinstate your license when ready by paying the $210 fee and passing the written test. The test is offered at any DDS office during business hours. Most people complete reinstatement the same day they visit the office, though you should allow time for processing.