Georgia suspends your license when you accumulate 15 points within 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 specific point value. When your total reaches 15 points in any 24-month rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license for a minimum of six months.
The 24-month window is not a calendar year — it moves forward continuously. If you received a violation on March 15, 2023, that violation stops counting toward your total on March 15, 2025. Points from violations older than 24 months do not factor into whether you hit the 15-point threshold, but they remain on your record for other purposes, such as insurance rates or future employment background checks.
You do not receive a warning at 14 points. The suspension takes effect automatically once the Department of Driver Services processes your 15th point. Processing typically occurs within 30 to 45 days after a conviction, though this varies depending on whether you paid a fine, went to court, or appealed.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia suspends your license automatically when you reach 15 points within any 24-month period, with no warning threshold at 14 points.
- Common violations carry between 2 and 6 points — speeding 15 mph over the limit is 4 points, reckless driving is 6 points, and failure to obey a traffic signal is 3 points.
- The 24-month window is rolling, not calendar-based, so older violations drop off the calculation as they age past two years.
- You can reduce points through a defensive driving course, which removes up to 7 points from your record once every five years.
- A suspension for reaching 15 points lasts a minimum of six months, and you must pay a reinstatement fee and show proof of insurance before you can drive again.
Point values for common Georgia traffic violations
The point value depends on the type and severity of the violation. Georgia law assigns specific points to each infraction, and these do not change based on your driving history or the circumstances of the stop.
| Violation Type | Points Assigned |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over limit | 2 points |
| Speeding 11–14 mph over limit | 3 points |
| Speeding 15–18 mph over limit | 4 points |
| Speeding 19–23 mph over limit | 5 points |
| Speeding 24+ mph over limit | 6 points |
| Failure to obey traffic signal or stop sign | 3 points |
| Improper lane change | 2 points |
| Following too closely | 3 points |
| Reckless driving | 6 points |
| Driving without a valid license | 3 points |
| Hit and run (property damage) | 6 points |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) | 6 points |
Some violations, such as parking tickets or equipment violations, do not carry points. Others, such as fleeing police or driving with a suspended license, carry 6 points and often result in criminal charges beyond the point penalty.
How the 24-month rolling window works
Georgia does not reset your point total on January 1 each year. Instead, the state looks back 24 months from today. Any violation that occurred more than 24 months ago does not count toward your suspension threshold, even if it is still visible on your driving record.
Suppose you received a 4-point speeding ticket on January 10, 2023. On January 10, 2025, that ticket stops counting toward your 15-point total. If you had accumulated 12 points by January 9, 2025, you would not be suspended. But if you received a 3-point violation on January 11, 2025, you would now have 15 points (the 4-point ticket no longer counts, but your other violations do), and your license would be suspended.
This rolling calculation means your point total can actually decrease over time without you doing anything, straightforward because older violations age out of the 24-month window. However, you cannot predict exactly when the Department of Driver Services will process a conviction, so violations may appear on your record weeks or months after the traffic stop.
Reducing points through a defensive driving course
Georgia allows you to remove up to 7 points from your record by completing a defensive driving course approved by the Department of Driver Services. You can use this option once every five years, and you must complete the course before you are convicted of the violation you want to remove points for.
The course is typically four hours long and can be taken online or in person. You pay a fee directly to the course provider, which ranges from $20 to $50 depending on the provider. After you complete the course, the provider sends a certificate to the Department of Driver Services, and the points are removed from your record within 30 to 60 days.
This option is most useful if you have received one or two violations and want to prevent them from pushing you toward the 15-point threshold. If you already have 10 or more points, a single defensive driving course will not prevent a suspension if you receive another violation soon after. You cannot use the course to remove points after you have already been suspended.
What happens when you reach 15 points
Once the Department of Driver Services processes your 15th point, it sends you a notice of suspension by mail. The suspension becomes effective 30 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange alternative transportation. Your physical driver's license remains valid during this 30-day period, but you cannot legally drive after the effective date.
The minimum suspension period is six months. If you accumulate 15 points a second time within five years of the first suspension, the second suspension lasts 12 months. A third suspension within five years lasts three years. These longer periods explore even if you have fewer than 15 points at the time of the second or third suspension — the prior suspension history triggers the extended length.
During the suspension, you cannot drive for any reason, including work or medical emergencies. Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor in Georgia and can result in fines, jail time, and additional points on your record.
Reinstatement requirements after suspension
To reinstate your license after a suspension ends, you must complete three steps. First, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Department of Driver Services. The fee is $210 for a first suspension, $320 for a second suspension within five years, and $510 for a third suspension within five years.
Second, you must provide proof of financial responsibility, which typically means proof of auto insurance. Georgia requires you to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of 15/30/25 (15,000 dollars bodily injury per person, 30,000 dollars per accident, 25,000 dollars property damage). You can obtain an SR-22 form from your insurance company, which certifies to the state that you meet these requirements.
Third, you must visit a Department of Driver Services office in person to complete the reinstatement. You cannot reinstate online or by mail. Bring your notice of suspension, proof of insurance, and payment for the reinstatement fee. The office will issue you a new license on the spot if everything is in order.
Violations that suspend your license when ready
Some violations result in an when ready suspension, separate from the 15-point system. These include driving under the influence, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and certain commercial vehicle violations. An when ready suspension takes effect right away, not after accumulating points.
A DUI conviction, for example, triggers an automatic administrative suspension of your license for 120 days, even before you are convicted in court. If you are convicted, the court imposes an additional criminal suspension. These suspensions run separately from the point-based suspension system and have their own reinstatement requirements.
If you receive a violation that results in an when ready suspension, you should contact a Georgia traffic attorney, because the suspension can begin before you have a chance to contest the charge in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check how many points are currently on my Georgia license?
Yes. Visit the Department of Driver Services website or call 678-413-8400 to request your driving record. You can also visit a local DDS office in person. Your record shows all violations from the past three to five years and the points assigned to each one. The record does not calculate your 24-month total for you, but you can add up the points from violations within the past 24 months to see where you stand.
If I pay a traffic ticket, do the points still count?
Yes. Paying the ticket is a conviction in Georgia's system, and the points are added to your record. The only way to avoid points is to contest the ticket in court and win, or to complete a defensive driving course before you are convicted. Paying the fine does not reduce or remove the points.
What if I was suspended and I drive anyway?
Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. Additionally, driving on a suspended license adds 6 points to your record, which can trigger another suspension or extend an existing one.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
Georgia does not issue hardship or work licenses for suspensions based on accumulated points. You must wait out the full suspension period. However, if your suspension is for a DUI, you may be able to obtain a limited permit to drive to work or school after serving a portion of the suspension. Contact the Department of Driver Services or a Georgia traffic attorney to learn whether you may have access to.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Georgia suspension?
Yes, if the violation is reported to Georgia through the Interstate Compact. Most states report traffic violations to the driver's home state, so a speeding ticket in Florida or South Carolina will appear on your Georgia record and count toward your 15-point total. The point value assigned may differ from Georgia's system, but the violation will still be recorded.