Section 10: Losing Your Driving Privileges

This Section Covers

  • Types of Withdrawals
  • Reporting Convictions
  • Types of Suspensions
  • Implied Consent
  • The Points System
    • Points Reduction
    • Points Avoidance
  • Safety Responsibility Law
  • Mandatory Revocations
  • Limited Driving Permits
  • Commercial Driving Disqualifications
    • Major Traffic Violations
    • Serious Traffic Violations
  • Other Violations

The State of Georgia considers dangerous and negligent drivers to be a direct and immediate threat to the welfare and safety of the general public, and it is in the best interest of the citizens of Georgia to immediately remove such drivers from the highways of this state. Therefore, the Department of Driver Services is authorized to withdraw the license or driving privileges when evidence is obtained that the licensee is a habitually dangerous or negligent driver of a motor vehicle (from Georgia law §40-5-57)

Types of Withdrawals

The driver's license of any individual, the eligibility to obtain a driver's license, or the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle in the State of Georgia may be impacted by one or more of the following actions:

Cancellation

The Department of Driver Services is authorized to cancel a license if the applicant fails to give the required or correct information needed at the time application is made, or if the individual becomes otherwise ineligible after application has been made. A resident may reapply for a license once the requirements have been satisfied and the resident is otherwise eligible.

Revocation

If a license is revoked, all driving privileges are terminated and withdrawn until the end of the period of time prescribed by the formal action of the Department. At the end of the revocation period, a resident may apply for a new license. Non-residents may apply for reinstatement of driving privileges.

Suspension

If a license is suspended, all driving privileges are temporarily withdrawn for a specific period of time or until reinstatement requirements have been completed. At the end of the withdrawal period, a resident may apply for reinstatement and return of the license or the eligibility to obtain a license. Non-residents may apply for reinstatement of driving privileges.

Disqualification of Commercial Driver's License

If a commercial driver's license is disqualified, all privileges to operate a commercial motor vehicle are withdrawn for a specific period of time. At the end of the disqualification period, if a licensee holds a CDL license that is not expired, the licensee's commercial privileges will be automatically restored without any action required, provided that the licensee is otherwise eligible to still maintain a commercial driver's license. If the licensee does not hold a CDL at the expiration of the disqualification period, the licensee's ability to apply for a CDL will be restored.

A disqualification of commercial driving privileges does not, by itself, result in the suspension or revocation of a licensee's privileges to operate a NON-commercial motor vehicle. However, many offenses that result in a commercial disqualification also result in a non-commercial suspension, though the periods of withdrawal may differ. In Georgia, it is possible to lose commercial driving privileges for LIFE upon the conviction of certain offenses. More information related to the commercial driver's license program is available on our website.

Reporting Convictions

Georgia courts are required by law to report the conviction of any offense that will result in a negative impact on a licensee's driving privilege or that is otherwise required to be posted to the permanent driving history of an individual. This includes most traffic-related offenses as well as certain non-traffic related offenses.

When the DDS receives a conviction for a Georgia license holder, the record is updated to reflect the conviction. If a conviction is received for an individual who holds a license from another state or is the resident of another state, the conviction information will be forwarded to the licensing authority of that state. If a non-resident, or a resident of Georgia who does not have a driver's license, is convicted of certain offenses, the eligibility to obtain a Georgia driver's license and/or driving privileges in Georgia will be suspended.

Convictions reported to the Georgia DDS by licensing authorities or courts in other states and nations will be placed on the driving record of a Georgia licensee or resident. The Department will treat such convictions as if they had occurred in this state for the purpose of imposing license withdrawals.