Georgia suspends licenses for drivers under 21 at 4 points within 12 months

If you are under 21 in Georgia, your license will be suspended when you accumulate 4 points on your driving record within a 12-month period. This is stricter than the rule for drivers 21 and older, who face suspension at 15 points. The points come from traffic violations — things like speeding, running a red light, or at-fault accidents — and each violation carries a specific point value.

The 12-month window resets, so if you get 3 points in January and then stay violation-free until February of the next year, that January violation no longer counts toward your total. But if you get another violation before that 12 months is up, the points stack. Once you hit 4 points, the Georgia Department of Driver Services will mail you a suspension notice, and your license becomes invalid on the date they specify.

Key Takeaways

  • Drivers under 21 face suspension at 4 points within 12 months, compared to 15 points for drivers 21 and older.
  • Points are assigned based on the specific violation — speeding 15 mph over the limit is 3 points, while speeding 34 mph over is 6 points.
  • The 12-month window is a rolling period, so violations older than 12 months no longer count toward your total.
  • Once suspended, you must wait the suspension period and then request reinstatement from the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

What violations cost how many points

Georgia assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Minor infractions like following too closely or improper lane changes are 2 points. Speeding violations range from 2 points (1–10 mph over the limit) to 6 points (34 mph or more over the limit). At-fault accidents are typically 4 points, though this can vary depending on the circumstances.

More serious violations carry higher point values. Reckless driving is 4 points. Fleeing or eluding police is 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 4 points, though a DUI conviction also triggers an automatic license suspension separate from the point system. You can find the full point schedule on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, or ask the officer who cited you what points the violation carries.

How the 12-month rolling period works

Georgia does not use a calendar year for the point window — it uses a rolling 12-month period from the date of each violation. This means if you get a violation on March 15, that violation counts toward your total until March 15 of the next year. If you get another violation on February 1 of that next year, both violations count. But if you stay clean until March 16, the first violation drops off and only the February violation remains on your record.

This rolling system can work in your favor if you space violations far enough apart, but it also means you cannot straightforward wait for a calendar year to end. You have to track the actual dates. If you are close to the 12-month mark on an older violation, it may be worth waiting a few weeks before getting cited for a new one, if possible — though obviously the best approach is to avoid violations altogether.

What happens when you reach 4 points

When your record hits 4 points, the Georgia Department of Driver Services will send you a suspension notice by mail. The notice will tell you the suspension start date and how long it will last. For drivers under 21, a first suspension is typically for 6 months. If you accumulate 4 more points (8 total) within 24 months of the first suspension, a second suspension follows, usually for 12 months.

Your license becomes invalid on the date listed in the notice. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation and can result in arrest, fines, and additional points. You cannot straightforward ignore the suspension and hope it goes away — you have to wait out the suspension period and then formally request reinstatement.

How to request reinstatement after suspension

Once your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must request reinstatement from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You can do this online through their website, by mail, or in person at a driver services office. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which is currently $210, though this amount can change.

When you request reinstatement, the department will verify that your suspension period has ended and that you have no other holds on your license (such as unpaid fines or child support obligations). If everything is clear, your license will be reinstated. If you have other issues, they will tell you what needs to be resolved first. After reinstatement, your points record continues to track violations, so another 4 points within 12 months will trigger another suspension.

How to check your current points

You can check how many points are on your Georgia driving record through the Department of Driver Services website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online system shows your current point total, the violations that caused those points, and the dates each violation will drop off your record.

Checking your record regularly is useful because it lets you see exactly where you stand. If you are at 2 or 3 points, you know that one more violation will trigger suspension. If you are at 1 point and an older violation is about to age off, you can see when you will be back to zero. This information can help you make decisions about how carefully to drive in the coming weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before they age off?

Points automatically drop off 12 months after the violation date — you cannot remove them early. However, if you complete a defensive driving course, you may be able to reduce points on one violation per 12-month period. You must request this through the court that handled your ticket, not the Department of Driver Services.

Does a DUI count toward the 4-point suspension limit?

Yes, a DUI conviction is 4 points on its own. But a DUI also triggers an automatic administrative license suspension that is separate from the point system. You face both the point suspension and the DUI suspension, which can run at the same time or one after the other depending on timing.

What if I get suspended twice — does the second suspension last longer?

Yes. A second suspension within 24 months of the first is typically 12 months instead of 6 months. A third suspension within 24 months of the second is usually 24 months. The penalties increase with each suspension.

If I turn 21 while suspended, does the rule change?

Your current suspension continues under the under-21 rule that was in effect when it started. However, once you turn 21 and your suspension ends, future violations will be judged under the 21-and-older standard of 15 points for suspension instead of 4.

Do points from out-of-state violations count in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia participates in the Driver License Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to Georgia and added to your record with the same point values. An out-of-state speeding ticket counts the same way as a Georgia one.