Georgia Driver Point System
Georgia's Department of Driver Services tracks moving-violation convictions on a fixed point scale. Adults face a license suspension at 15 points in any 24-month period. Drivers under 21 face suspension at just 4 points in 12 months — one of the strictest under-21 thresholds in the country. Points stay on the record for 2 years from conviction date for most violations.
How the system works
DDS assigns points for each moving-violation conviction. Most points are 2 to 4 each, with a handful of major offenses worth 6. The point total drives suspension thresholds. Unlike Illinois or California, Georgia does not vary the point value within a category by speed over the limit beyond a few breakpoints — most speeding tickets get a flat 2 to 4 points based on a few brackets.
Common point values
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 15-18 mph over | 2 |
| Speeding 19-23 mph over | 3 |
| Speeding 24-33 mph over | 4 |
| Speeding 34+ mph over | 6 |
| Failure to obey traffic light or sign | 3 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Improper lane change | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Aggressive driving | 6 |
| Hit-and-run (unattended vehicle) | 4 |
| Passing a school bus | 6 |
| Hands-free / cell phone violation (third+ offense) | 3 |
| Failure to wear seat belt (driver under 18) | 2 |
| Driving in HOV lane improperly | 1 |
| Open container | 2 |
Suspension thresholds
- Adults 21+: 15 or more points in any 24-month period results in a license suspension. The suspension length scales with the point total — typically 6 months at 15-19 points, longer at 20+.
- Drivers under 21: 4 or more points in any 12-month period results in suspension. Three or more convictions within 12 months also triggers suspension regardless of point value.
- Drivers under 18: any single 4-point violation triggers automatic suspension under TADRA, plus mandatory family hearing.
- CDL holders: federal disqualification rules apply on top of state points — two serious traffic violations in 3 years bring 60-day CDL disqualification.
Major violations (separate from points)
Some violations trigger automatic license action regardless of the point total:
- Any DUI conviction: 12-month suspension on first offense, 3-year on second.
- Reckless homicide: license revocation.
- Hit-and-run with injury: 12-month revocation.
- Racing on highways: 12-month suspension.
- Felony eluding law enforcement: revocation.
- Habitual Violator declaration (3 majors in 5 years): 5-year revocation.
Reducing points
Georgia drivers can reduce up to 7 points once every 5 years by completing a DDS-approved Defensive Driving Course (also called a Driver Improvement Clinic). Cost: $50-$95 depending on the provider. The reduction applies to existing points only — it does not erase the underlying conviction, and insurance companies can still see the violation on the MVR. Use this option strategically: most drivers save it for after a serious ticket rather than a routine 2-point speeding violation.
Nolo contendere plea
Georgia allows a "nolo contendere" plea (no contest) once every 5 years for non-DUI traffic violations. A successfully pled nolo contendere is not reported as a conviction on the MVR for insurance purposes, even though points are still assessed. Drivers should consult our traffic tickets page for how to enter a nolo plea.
How to check your point total
Pull a current Georgia MVR from DDS Online Services for $6 (3-year) or $8 (7-year). The MVR lists each conviction and the points assigned. Insurance companies typically pull a copy of this same record at renewal.
For a comparison with other state point systems, see our national point system guide.