Georgia suspends commercial licenses when you reach 12 points in three years

In Georgia, a commercial driver's license (CDL) suspension happens automatically when you accumulate 12 points within a three-year period. This is stricter than the 15-point threshold for regular passenger licenses. The state tracks points from traffic violations, at-fault accidents, and certain criminal convictions — and the clock resets every three years, meaning points from violations older than 36 months no longer count toward your total.

The suspension is mandatory, not discretionary. Once you hit 12 points, the Georgia Department of Driver Services sends you a notice, and your CDL becomes invalid. You cannot drive any commercial vehicle during the suspension period, even if you also hold a regular driver's license.

Key Takeaways

  • A commercial license suspension in Georgia occurs at 12 points accumulated within three years, compared to 15 points for regular licenses.
  • Points come from traffic violations (speeding, reckless driving, following too closely), at-fault accidents, and certain criminal convictions like DUI.
  • The three-year lookback window means violations older than 36 months stop counting toward your total, but only if you have not been suspended in the meantime.
  • A first CDL suspension lasts 12 months; a second suspension within 10 years lasts 24 months; a third or later suspension is permanent.
  • You can request a hearing with the Department of Driver Services to contest the suspension if you believe the points were assigned in error.

How points are assigned for different violations

Not every traffic violation carries the same point value. Georgia assigns points based on the severity of the offense and the risk it poses to public safety. For a commercial driver, violations that occur while operating a commercial vehicle typically carry higher point values than the same violation in a personal vehicle.

Common violations and their point values include: speeding (1 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit), reckless driving (6 points), following too closely (4 points), improper lane change (4 points), and failure to obey traffic signals (4 points). At-fault accidents typically add 4 points, though this can vary based on the circumstances. Serious violations like DUI, hit-and-run, or driving with a suspended license carry 6 points or more and may trigger additional penalties beyond points.

If you received a ticket and disagree with the point assignment, you can contest it in traffic court before it is added to your record. Once the violation is finalized in court, the points are locked in and begin counting toward your three-year total.

The three-year rolling window and how it affects your total

Georgia uses a rolling three-year window to calculate your point total. This means the state looks back 36 months from today and counts only violations that occurred within that period. If you received a ticket four years ago, those points no longer count — but only if you have not been suspended since then.

Here is how the timeline works in practice: if you received a violation on January 15, 2022, it stops counting on January 15, 2025. If you are at 11 points on January 10, 2025, and that old violation drops off on January 15, you would fall back to a lower total. However, if you accumulate a new violation before the old one expires, your total climbs again.

If your license is suspended, the clock does not reset automatically. You must complete the suspension period and then request reinstatement from the Department of Driver Services. Only after reinstatement does the three-year window begin fresh for tracking new violations.

Suspension length depends on how many times you have been suspended

Georgia imposes different suspension lengths based on your history. A first suspension lasts 12 months. During this time, you cannot hold or renew a commercial license, and you cannot drive any commercial vehicle.

A second suspension within 10 years of the first one lasts 24 months. If you accumulate 12 points again after your first suspension ends and you are reinstated, you will face a two-year suspension instead of one year.

A third or subsequent suspension within 10 years results in permanent revocation of your commercial license. You would need to reapply for a CDL from scratch, which requires passing the written test and the driving skills test again, and you may face additional waiting periods depending on the reason for the original revocation.

What happens when you reach 12 points

When you accumulate 12 points, the Department of Driver Services generates a suspension notice and mails it to your address on file. The notice includes the effective date of the suspension, the length of the suspension, and instructions for requesting a hearing if you believe the suspension was issued in error.

Your CDL becomes invalid on the date specified in the notice. Driving a commercial vehicle after that date is illegal and can result in additional criminal charges, fines, and a longer suspension. If you are stopped while driving commercially with a suspended CDL, you face misdemeanor charges in Georgia.

You are still required to notify your employer when ready. Many commercial driving jobs require you to report any license suspension within a certain timeframe, and failing to do so can result in termination and may affect your ability to find future commercial driving work.

How to request a hearing to contest the suspension

If you believe the Department of Driver Services made an error in calculating your points or issuing the suspension, you can request a hearing. The suspension notice includes a important date for requesting a hearing — typically 10 days from the date the notice is mailed. You must submit your request in writing to the address listed on the notice.

At the hearing, you can present evidence that points were assigned incorrectly, that a violation was dismissed in court, or that the Department failed to follow proper procedures. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney. The hearing officer will review your record and the violation details, and will issue a decision within a set timeframe.

If the hearing officer finds in your favor, the suspension may be canceled or delayed while the error is corrected. If the decision is against you, you can appeal to the Superior Court, though this requires filing within 30 days and typically involves legal representation.

Steps to reinstate your commercial license after suspension

After your suspension period ends, you cannot straightforward resume driving. You must formally request reinstatement from the Department of Driver Services. The reinstatement process requires you to pay a reinstatement fee (the amount varies and should be confirmed with the Department) and to provide proof that you have completed any required programs or conditions.

Once reinstatement is approved, your CDL is restored and the three-year point window resets. Any violations that occurred before the reinstatement date are no longer counted, even if they occurred within the previous three years. This gives you a fresh start, but new violations will begin accumulating points when ready.

You should verify your driving record with the Department of Driver Services before returning to commercial driving to confirm that the suspension has been lifted and your record is clear. Some employers require proof of reinstatement before allowing you to return to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from violations in my personal vehicle count toward my CDL suspension?

Yes. Georgia counts all violations on your driving record, regardless of whether you were driving a commercial or personal vehicle. However, violations committed while operating a commercial vehicle typically carry higher point values than the same violation in a personal vehicle, so they affect your CDL more quickly.

Can I drive a regular passenger vehicle during a CDL suspension?

It depends on the reason for the suspension. If you were suspended solely for accumulating 12 points on your CDL, you may be able to drive a regular vehicle with a regular license. However, if the suspension involved a serious violation like DUI or reckless driving, your regular license may also be suspended. You should contact the Department of Driver Services to confirm what you are permitted to drive.

What if I get a violation while my CDL is suspended?

Violations that occur during a suspension period still add points to your record. When your suspension ends and you request reinstatement, those new points will be counted in your three-year total. If you accumulate 12 points again before your reinstatement is approved, you may face an additional suspension when ready after reinstatement.

How do I check my current point total?

You can request a copy of your driving record from the Georgia Department of Driver Services online, by mail, or in person at a local office. The record shows all violations, the points assigned to each, and your current total. You can also contact the Department by phone to ask about your point balance.

Can I remove points from my record before reaching 12?

Georgia does not offer a defensive driving course or point reduction program for commercial drivers. Points can only be removed by waiting for them to age out of the three-year window or by having a violation dismissed or overturned in court. The best strategy is to avoid new violations and contest any violations you believe were issued in error.