A Super Speeder ticket in Georgia is a criminal charge, not just a traffic violation
In Georgia, you receive a super speeder charge when you drive 30 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit on any road, or 85 miles per hour or faster on any road regardless of the limit. This is treated as a misdemeanor crime in Georgia courts, which means it carries different consequences than a standard speeding ticket — including potential jail time, a criminal record, and mandatory fees that go beyond the typical fine.
The distinction matters because a super speeder charge does not disappear from your record like a regular traffic ticket might. It stays on your criminal history and can affect employment, housing, and insurance rates for years. Georgia created this category in 2010 specifically to penalize the most dangerous speeding behavior, and the state enforces it aggressively.
Key Takeaways
- A super speeder charge in Georgia is a misdemeanor crime triggered by driving 30+ mph over the limit or 85+ mph on any road.
- The mandatory super speeder fee is $200 on top of any court fines, and you must pay it to renew your driver's license.
- A conviction creates a criminal record that can affect employment, housing, and insurance for years.
- You have the right to contest the ticket in court, and many people hire a traffic attorney to negotiate or challenge the charge.
- Paying the ticket or pleading guilty means accepting the criminal conviction and all its consequences.
The mandatory super speeder fee and what it covers
Georgia law requires a $200 super speeder fee on top of whatever fine the court assigns for the speeding violation itself. This fee is separate from court costs and the base speeding fine. You cannot get your driver's license renewed until this fee is paid to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, which means the state uses license renewal as enforcement — you will eventually have to pay it or lose your driving privileges.
The $200 fee goes into a trauma center fund in Georgia, not to the court or the officer who issued the ticket. This is why it appears as a distinct line item on your citation and court paperwork. If you are charged with both super speeder and a regular speeding violation at the same time, you pay the $200 fee once, not twice.
Criminal record consequences and how long they last
A super speeder conviction becomes part of your permanent criminal history in Georgia. Unlike some traffic violations that can be dismissed or reduced to non-criminal infractions, a super speeder charge stays on your record even if you later have a clean driving record. Employers who run background checks will see it, as will landlords and insurance companies.
Georgia does not have a standard "waiting period" before you can petition to have a misdemeanor removed from your record. You may be able to request a pardon from the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles years later, but this is a separate process and is not may provide. The practical effect is that the conviction can affect your life for a long time — some employers will not hire someone with a recent misdemeanor, and some insurance companies will not insure you at all.
Jail time and other court penalties
A super speeder conviction can result in up to 12 months in jail, though jail time is not automatic. First-time offenders often receive probation, fines, and license suspension instead. A judge has discretion to impose jail time based on your driving history, the specific speed you were traveling, and other circumstances of the stop.
The court may also suspend your driver's license for up to 12 months. Some judges impose a shorter suspension or allow you to keep a restricted license for work and medical appointments. License suspension is separate from the $200 fee — you have to pay the fee to get your license back even after the suspension period ends.
How to respond to a super speeder ticket
You have the right to appear in court and contest the ticket. You do not have to plead guilty or pay the fine when ready. When you receive the citation, it will include a court date and instructions for how to respond. If you ignore the ticket or fail to appear, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest and suspend your license automatically.
Many people hire a traffic attorney to represent them in super speeder cases. An attorney can review the officer's radar or speed measurement equipment for accuracy, challenge whether the officer had legal grounds to stop you, or negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a regular speeding ticket. The cost of an attorney typically ranges depending on your location and the complexity of your case, but many people find it worth the cost to avoid a criminal conviction.
If you decide to represent yourself, you can request the officer's calibration records for their speed measurement device and ask questions about how they determined your speed. You can also ask the prosecutor whether they are willing to reduce the charge in exchange for a guilty plea to regular speeding instead.
Pleading guilty versus going to court
If you plead guilty or pay the ticket without contesting it, you are accepting the criminal conviction. This means the $200 fee, any court fine, and the criminal record all take effect when ready. You cannot later change your mind and ask the court to remove the conviction from your record based on new evidence or a different argument.
Going to court does not may provide you will win, but it gives you a chance to present your side and challenge the evidence. If the officer does not show up to testify, the case is often dismissed. If the officer does appear and you cannot effectively challenge their speed measurement, you may still be convicted — but you will have tried rather than accepted the charge automatically.
Insurance and license renewal after a super speeder conviction
Your auto insurance rates will increase after a super speeder conviction, and some insurance companies will not renew your policy at all. You may have to switch to a high-risk insurer that charges significantly more. The rate increase typically lasts three to five years, though it depends on your insurer's policy.
To renew your driver's license after a super speeder conviction, you must pay the $200 fee to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. If your license was suspended as part of your sentence, you cannot renew it until the suspension period ends. Some courts allow you to pay the fee before the suspension ends so that your license is active again as soon as the suspension period expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a super speeder ticket reduced to regular speeding?
Yes, many prosecutors will negotiate a reduction in exchange for a guilty plea to regular speeding instead of super speeder. This requires going to court or having an attorney contact the prosecutor's office before your court date. There is no may provide the prosecutor will agree, but it is worth asking.
What if I was speeding because of an emergency?
Georgia law does not have a specific emergency exception to super speeder charges. A judge may consider the circumstances when deciding on penalties, but the charge itself still applies. If you were responding to a genuine emergency, tell your attorney or the judge, but do not expect it to eliminate the charge.
Do I have to pay the $200 fee even if I win in court?
No. If you are found not guilty or the charge is dismissed, you do not owe the $200 super speeder fee. You only pay it if you are convicted or plead guilty. Regular speeding fines still explore if you are convicted of speeding at a lower speed.
How long does a super speeder conviction stay on my record?
A super speeder conviction is permanent in Georgia unless you petition for a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles. There is no automatic removal date. You can petition for a pardon after serving your sentence, but approval is not may provide.
Will a super speeder ticket affect my job?
It depends on your employer and job. Any employer who runs a criminal background check will see the conviction. Jobs involving driving, security clearances, or positions of trust are most likely to be affected. Some employers will not hire someone with a recent misdemeanor conviction.