Types of Suspensions

The Department will suspend the driving privileges of an individual in any of the following non-conviction situations:

  • Refusal to take a chemical test for intoxication;
  • Failure to appear in court or respond to a citation;
  • Non-payment of Child Support;
  • Non-payment of the Super Speeder fee;
  • Safety responsibility;
  • Medical revocation;
  • Parent requested revocation (under age 18).

The Department is required by law to sus­pend the privileges of an individual for a conviction of any of the following offenses:

  • Homicide by vehicle;
  • Feticide by Vehicle (1st degree);
  • Serious injury by vehicle;
  • 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;
  • Hit and run or leaving the scene of a crash;
  • Racing;
  • Operating a motor vehicle with a revoked, canceled, or suspended registration;
  • Driving without insurance;
  • Driving while license is suspended, revoked, or canceled;
  • Refusal to weigh commercial motor vehicle;
  • Violation of license restriction (at the discretion of the trial court).

In addition to the offenses listed in the previous bulleted list, the license and/or driving privileges of an individual under the age of 21 on the date of the conviction will be suspended for the following offenses:

  • Reckless driving;
  • Aggressive driving;
  • Speeding 24 mph or more over the speed limit;
  • Unlawful passing of a school bus;
  • Improper passing on a hill or a curve;
  • Any 4-point offense;
  • Four or more points in 12 months prior to age 18;

Implied Consent

Georgia law requires you to submit to state administered chemical tests of your blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances for the purpose of determining if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you refuse this testing, your Georgia driver's license or privilege to drive on the highways of this state will be suspended for a minimum period of one year. Your refusal to submit to blood or urine testing may be offered into evidence at trial. If you submit to testing and the results indicate a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit, your Georgia driver's license or privilege to drive on the highways of this state may be suspended for a minimum period of one year. After first submitting to the required state tests, you are entitled to additional chemical tests of your blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances at your own expense and from qualified personnel of your own choosing.

Violations and points demerited

Violation Resulting in Conviction Points
Violation of Hands Free Law – 1st Conviction 1
Child Restraint – 1st Offense 1
HOV Lane Violation – 4th and Subsequent Offense 1
Violation of Hands Free Law – 2nd Conviction 2
Possessing an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage While Driving 2
Speeding – 15-18 mph over the posted speed limit 2
Child Restraint – 2nd and Subsequent Offense 2
Failure to Adequately Secure a Load 2
Violation of Hands Free Law – 3rd or more Convictions 3
Impeding Traffic 3
Disobedience of Any Traffic-Control Device or Traffic Officer 3
Speeding – 19-23 mph over the posted speed limit 3
All Other Moving Violations 3
Reckless Driving 4
Improper Passing on Hill or Curve 4
Speeding – 24-33 mph over the posted speed limit 4
Aggressive Driving 6
Speeding – 34 mph or more over the posted speed limit 6
Unlawful Passing School Bus 6

Before Visiting, Fill Out Your Form

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Anytime. Anywhere. Any device.

Fill out the form for your Permit, License or ID Card with DDS Online Services (https://dds.drives.ga.gov/_/) before arriving at any of our Customer Service Centers.

Faster. Secure. Convenient. 24/7.

Please remember to bring your parent or guardian and proof of school enrollment when you come in for your visit.

The Points System

The Department is required by law to suspend the Georgia license of an individual for an accumulation of points resulting from certain convictions. Points are assessed against Georgia residents for out-of-state violations which would be assessed points if committed within Georgia. Georgia licenses will be suspended as follows:

  • For any person who accumulates 15 or more points within 24 months;
  • For any person under the age of 21 with a conviction for any 4-point violation;
  • For any person under 18 years of age with an accumulation of 4 points within twelve months.

Points are accumulated on a person's driving record as a result of certain convictions. The previous tabled labelled "Violations and points demerited" lists these convictions and the number of points associated with each. The date the violation occurred is used as the basis for determining the 24-month period (or 12-month period for persons under age 18). When a license is suspended due to an accumulation of points, the point total is restored to zero.

In the case of a person age 18 up to 21, the suspension of the license for a single 4-point offense is determined by the date the conviction occurred. A plea of nolo contendere is considered a conviction for purposes of imposing suspensions that apply to persons under age 21.

Points Reduction

Licensed Georgia residents may request that DDS reduce the number of points assessed against their Georgia driver's license up to 7 points once every 5 years.

To qualify for a points reduction, you must successfully complete a certified 6-hour driver improvement (defensive driving) course and present the original certificate of completion to the DDS by mail or in person at one of our Customer Service Centers.

If you request a points reduction by mail, please mail the original driver improvement (defensive driving) certificate of completion to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, Georgia 30013. A list of certified driver improvement (defensive driving) courses can be found on the Georgia Department of Driver Services web site.

Points Avoidance

A defendant may successfully complete a certified 6-hour driver improvement (defensive driving) course after the issuance of a citation for a moving violation and prior to the court appearance, or as ordered by the court. When the original certificate of completion is presented to the court, the court shall reduce the fine assessed by 20 percent and no points shall be assessed against the driver. This plea may be accepted by the court once every five years.