Georgia suspends your license when you reach 15 points in a 24-month period

Georgia's Department of Driver Services tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 15 points within any 24-month window, the state automatically suspends your license for a set period. The suspension is not optional — it happens by law once you hit that threshold.

The 24-month period is a rolling window, not a calendar year. This means the state looks back 24 months from today, counts all points you received during that time, and suspends you if the total is 15 or more. As time passes and old violations fall outside that 24-month window, those points drop off the calculation, which can eventually bring you back below the suspension threshold.

Understanding which violations carry how many points, and how long points stay on your record, helps you know where you stand and what to expect if you receive another ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia suspends your license automatically when you accumulate 15 points within any 24-month period; you do not have to wait for a hearing.
  • Minor violations like speeding 1–10 mph over the limit carry 2 points, while reckless driving carries 4 points and serious violations like DUI carry 4 points.
  • Points remain on your driving record for 24 months from the date of the violation, after which they no longer count toward suspension.
  • If you are suspended, you must wait out the suspension period and then request reinstatement from the Department of Driver Services; you cannot drive legally during the suspension.

Common violations and their point values in Georgia

Georgia assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding violations carry the fewest points — 2 points for speeding 1–10 mph over the limit, 3 points for 11–14 mph over, and 4 points for 15 mph or more over the limit. Running a red light or stop sign is 3 points. Improper lane change is 2 points.

More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 4 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 4 points. Hit-and-run is 6 points. Fleeing or eluding police is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. These violations add up quickly and can push you toward suspension in fewer incidents than minor violations would.

Some violations do not carry points but still result in suspension or other penalties. Driving without a valid license, driving with an expired license, and certain safety violations may trigger suspension through separate rules, not the point system. If you are unsure whether a specific violation carries points, you can request your driving record from the Department of Driver Services.

How the 24-month rolling window works

The state does not reset your points on January 1 each year. Instead, Georgia looks back exactly 24 months from the current date. If you received a violation on March 15, 2023, that violation and its points count toward suspension until March 15, 2025. On March 16, 2025, those points fall off your record and no longer count.

This rolling window means you could receive a ticket today that does not push you over 15 points, but if you receive another ticket in the next few months, the combination of both violations might trigger suspension. Conversely, if you avoid violations for 24 months, your oldest violations drop off and your point total decreases, potentially bringing you back below the suspension threshold.

For example: if you have 10 points from violations in the past 12 months and receive a 4-point violation today, you now have 14 points and are one violation away from suspension. But if one of your older violations falls outside the 24-month window next month, you drop back to 10 points.

Suspension length based on your record

Georgia's suspension length depends on whether this is your first suspension or a repeat offense. A first suspension lasts 6 months. A second suspension within a 5-year period lasts 12 months. A third or subsequent suspension within 5 years lasts 24 months.

The 5-year period is measured from the date your previous suspension ended, not from when it began. If your first suspension ended on January 1, 2024, and you accumulate 15 points again on December 1, 2024, that second suspension is still within the 5-year window and will last 12 months instead of 6.

During the suspension period, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is itself a violation that carries 6 points and can result in arrest. You must wait out the full suspension period before you can request reinstatement.

How to request reinstatement after suspension

Once your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically become valid again. You must request reinstatement from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You can do this in person at a DDS office, by mail, or online through the DDS website.

To request reinstatement, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee (the amount varies and should be confirmed with DDS when you contact them). You may also need to provide proof that you have completed any required courses or paid any outstanding fines related to the violations that led to suspension.

After you submit your reinstatement request and fee, DDS will process it and notify you when your license is active again. Processing typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. Until you receive confirmation, you should not drive, as your license remains suspended.

What happens if you drive while suspended

Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a separate criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor that can result in up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. A second offense within 5 years carries up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. A third or subsequent offense within 5 years is a felony.

Beyond criminal penalties, driving while suspended also adds 6 points to your driving record. This means if you drive during a suspension and are caught, you will have 6 new points added to your record. When your suspension ends and you request reinstatement, those 6 points will be counted, and you could when ready accumulate enough points to trigger another suspension.

If you need to drive during a suspension for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a limited driving permit from the Department of Driver Services. The permit allows you to drive only for specific purposes during your suspension period. You must request this permit before your suspension begins or when ready after it starts.

How to check your current point total

You can request a copy of your driving record from the Georgia Department of Driver Services to see exactly how many points you have and which violations are on your record. You can order your record online through the DDS website, by mail, or in person at a DDS office.

Your driving record will show each violation, the date it occurred, the number of points assigned, and the date the points will drop off your record. This information helps you understand how close you are to the 15-point suspension threshold and when older violations will fall outside the 24-month window.

Checking your record is also useful if you plan to contest a violation. If you believe a ticket was issued in error, you can fight it in traffic court. If the court finds in your favor and dismisses the violation, those points will not be added to your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before 24 months?

Points automatically drop off your record 24 months after the violation date — you cannot remove them early through the point system. However, if you successfully contest a violation in court and have it dismissed, those points will not be added to your record in the first place. Some violations can also be reduced to non-point violations through plea agreements with the prosecutor, which removes the points.

What if I get a ticket while my license is already suspended?

The new violation and its points are added to your record. When your suspension ends and you request reinstatement, those points count toward your total. If the new violation pushes you to 15 points, you will be suspended again when ready after reinstatement, or your reinstatement request may be denied until you fall back below 15 points.

Do out-of-state violations count toward Georgia suspension?

Yes. Georgia's point system includes violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. An out-of-state violation will be reported to Georgia and added to your driving record with the same point value it would carry in Georgia. This counts toward your 15-point suspension threshold.

Can I get a hardship license while suspended?

You may be able to request a limited driving permit for essential purposes like work, school, or medical treatment. You must request this from the Department of Driver Services, and approval is not may provide. The permit allows you to drive only for the specific purposes listed and only during the hours approved.

How long do points stay on my record after suspension?

Points remain on your driving record for 24 months from the violation date, regardless of whether you were suspended. After 24 months, they drop off and no longer count toward future suspensions. However, violations remain visible on your record for insurance and employment purposes for a longer period, even after points expire.