Learn About the Georgia Drivers License Point System, Georgia License Suspensions and Revocations
Georgia deems dangerous, negligent, or incompetent drivers to be a menace to the safety and welfare of the general public, thus you must make certain you don't abuse these privileges to drive or you could potentially lose it. As long as you remain a resident of Georgia, your driving record will be on file with the Department of Driver Services.
There are three ways by which you may lose your driving privileges
Cancellation:
The Department of Driver Services is authorized to cancel your license if you fail to give the required or correct information needed in your application or if you are otherwise ineligible. You may reapply once you satisfy the requirements.
Revocation:
When your license is revoked your driving privileges are terminated and withdrawn until the end of the period of time prescribed by the formal action of the Department. At the expiration of the revocation period, you may apply for a new license once you satisfy the requirements.
Suspension:
When your license is suspended, your driving privilege is temporarily withdrawn for a specific period of time. At the expiration of the suspension period, you may apply for a license once you satisfy the requirements.
Reporting Convictions
After a conviction of a traffic offense, the court will forward notice of that conviction to the Department.
Mandatory Suspension
The Department shall suspend a license for a conviction of any of the following offenses in Georgia or any other state:
Homicide by vehicle.
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.
Using a motor vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
Fraudulent or fictitious use of, or application for a license.
Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident.
Racing.
If you refuse to take a chemical test for intoxication, then your license will be suspended for 12 months.
Operating a motor vehicle with a revoked, canceled, or suspended registration in violation of Code Section 40-6-15.
Conviction for driving without insurance is a 60/90-day suspension.
If convicted for driving while license is suspended, revoked or canceled, your driver's license will be further suspended for six months.
If you fail to appear in court or respond to a citation, your license may be suspended indefinitely.
Your driver's license will be suspended if you are convicted of possession, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, sale or transfer of a controlled substance or marijuana.
The Department is authorized to suspend your license if its records or other evidence shows that you have accumulated 15 points within 24 months under the point system, including violations committed out of state.
Points are accumulated for:
Reckless Driving
4 points
Unlawful passing school bus
6 points
Improper passing on hill or curve
4 points
Speeding
15 mph but less than 19 mph
19 mph but less than 24 mph
24 mph but less than 34 mph
34 mph or more
2 points
3 points
4 points
6 points
Disobedience of any traffic-control device or traffic officer
3 points
Possessing an open container of an alcoholic beverage while driving
2 points
Failure to adequately secure a load
2 points
All other moving violations
3 points
Child restraint - 1st offense
1 point
Child restraint - 2nd and subsequent offense
2 points
Aggressive driving
(A conviction of aggressive driving by a person under 21 years
of age will result in a suspension of the driver's license.)
6 points
HOV lane violation - 4th and subsequent offense.
1 point
Mandatory Revocation
Your driver's license will be revoked in Georgia, if you are convicted of one of the following:
For any third conviction of a mandatory suspendable offense within 5 years, you will be declared a habitual violator. This is a five-year revocation.
Refusal to submit to a re-examination of driving skills or knowledge of driving rules after receiving notice giving reasonable grounds for such a request.
If there is sufficient evidence of incompetence or unfitness to drive, due to incapabilities by reason of disease, mental or physical disability, or by alcohol or drug addiction.
Limited Driving Permits
If you are suspended for a first mandatory conviction, a first or second DUI conviction, or a first or second points suspension, you may be eligible to apply for a limited permit. Limited Driving Permits may be obtained for:
Going to your place of employment or performing the normal duties of your occupation.
Not having a form of transportation to receive prescribed medical attention or obtaining prescribed drugs.
Attending classes at a college or other regularly scheduled school in which you are enrolled.
Attending a driver education, or assessment and treatment program court ordered.
The Department may specify specific places you may travel to, specific routes of travel, times of travel, specific vehicles or other restrictions the Department may deem necessary. A limited permit will be non-renewable and will become invalid on the expiration date of permit.
Upon the conviction of a second DUI, such person may apply for and be issued an ignition interlock device limited driving permit at the end of 12 months after the suspension of the driver's license. To be eligible for an interlock permit the licensee must submit proof of completion of DUI alcohol or drug risk reduction program, clinical evaluation, enrollment in treatment or completion of treatment if required by evaluation and installation of an interlock device. At the end of such six-month ignition interlock device limited driving permit, driver may apply for reinstatement of driver's license upon payment of the proper fee.
Under 21 Years of Age Suspension
The driver's license of any person under 21 years of age convicted of any of the following offenses shall be SUSPENDED :
Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident in violation of Code Section 4-6-270.
Racing on highways or streets.
Using a motor vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
Reckless driving.
Any offense for which four or more points are assessable under subsection (c) of Code Section 40-5-57.
*Unlawful passing of a school bus.
*Improper passing on a hill or curve.
*Exceeding the speed limit by 24 miles per hour or more.
Misrepresenting age for purpose of illegally obtaining any alcoholic beverage (3-3-23 (a) (3)).
Misrepresenting identity or using false identification for purpose of purchasing or obtaining any alcoholic beverage (3-3-23 (a) (5) ).
The driver's license of any person under 18 years of age who has accumulated a violation point count of four or more points within any 12 month period.
A person whose driver's license has been suspended for driving under the influence shall not be issued a new driver's license without submitting proof of completion of DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program approved by the Department of Driver Services and payment of a $210 fee if processed in person or $200 if processed by mail. A person suspended for offenses other than DUI shall submit proof of the completion of a Defensive Driving Program approved by the Department of Driver Services, payment of the same fee as specified above.
The length of suspension shall be as follows:
A person whose driver's license has been suspended under subsection (a) of Code Section 40-5-57.1 shall:
Except as otherwise provided by paragraph (2) of Code Section 40-5-57.1:
(A) Upon a first suspension, be eligible to apply for and, subject to the requirements of Code Section 40-5-27 and payment of the required fees, be issu§ed a new driver's license six months from the effective date of suspension; and
(B) Upon a second or subsequent such suspension, be eligible to apply for and, subject to the requirements of Code Section 40-5-27 and payment of required fees, be issued a new driver's license 12 months from the effevtive date of suspension.
If the driver's license was suspended for violation of Code Section 40-6-391 and the driver's alcohol concentration at the time of the offense was 0.08 grams or more, be eligible to apply for and, subject to the requirements of Code Section 40-5-27 and payment of required fees, be issued a new driver's license 12 months from the effevtive date of suspension.
How do I get my license reinstated
You may contact the Department Of Driver Services 678-413-8400, or toll-free 866-754-3687 if calling from outside metro-Atlanta. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 4:15 pm to assist with reinstatement questions.
OR
You may submit a letter requesting reinstatement requirements to: Georgia Department of Driver Services, Post Office Box 80447, Conyers, Ga. 30013. This request must contain your name as it appears on your driver's license, license number, date of birth, correct mailing address, and your signature.
