Driving Point System

Motor vehicles are the location of most crimes in America. Driving offenses like speeding, running a red light or stop sign, passing a stopped school bus or following too closely occur over 100,000 times a day. Some states (e.g., Colorado) have infractions for some speeding tickets, which do not necessarily create demerit points on a driver’s license. But this only applies to those states, and their states’ ticket charges.

In other states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida, a state point assessment for every traffic ticket is common. A moving violation is a misdemeanor driving offence. For virtually 100% of such traffic citations, if convicted and you are not able to find a diversion, conditional discharge or other “no points” solutions, your state will add traffic demerit points on licenses of the scofflaw. Plus, ironically (in GA) a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction carries no points on your driving record. That is because the driver’s licence is suspended, by operation of Georgia DUI laws.

Georgia is a popular state for issuance of a traffic ticket for citizens from other states using the Peach State’s high-speed Interstate system while passing through our state, on their way to Florida. Many non-residents believe that it they are issued a traffic citation in Georgia (e.g., speeding ticket), that ignoring the accused violation or missing the court date will be something limited to the Georgia legal system. Think again.

Once charged with traffic tickets (like speeding in Georgia), failure to appear (FTA) will be reported back to your home state DPS, BMV, SOS, RMV or DMV office. This is only the first consequence of non-appearance. The GA DDS will assign point values to every reported road safety offense. You can get your points history online by entering your driver’s license number and other personal information at this DDS Georgia.

If the judge also issues a bench warrant for your contemptuous missed court date, this will show up on your driving record or on similar computer-generated “wants and warrants” reports. In the age of the computer and high-speed Internet, you might as well play Russian roulette with each new driving episode thereafter. Even if you check license points, this arrest warrant will not show up.

It is important to note that some states will not enter minor traffic offences like out-of-state camera ticket speeding tickets, so you should contact your DMV to find out what effect the ticket will have on your license before sending in your fine payment. If trouble is ahead, call traffic lawyers near me for your free consultation.

For example, if a North Carolina driver receives a ticket for going 15 mph or more over the speed limit in Georgia, his or her driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days. In this case, it would be in your best interest to hire an attorney to help you fight your Georgia speeding ticket.

Contesting traffic tickets can lead to a favorable resolution of your drivers’ license, if that case disposition is not reported back to your home state or to Georgia DDS (the state DMV office). In addition to this legal help keeping points off of your license, a lawyer’s advice may keep car insurance company premiums from rising.

The Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points. An adult driver with 15 points in a 24-month period will be suspended. A Georgia license holder under age 18 faces driver’s license suspension for accumulating 4 or more points in a consecutive 12-month period. The license suspension period lasts for six (6) months, with no chance at early reinstatement.

Points are assessed for each conviction pursuant to OCGA §40-5-57(c)(1)(A). Some are for at fault accidents, like OCGA §40-8-248.1, relating to not properly securing a load you are transporting on a car or truck.

The State assesses no points for speeding convictions less than 15 miles-per hour over the posted speed limit and for convictions of driving ‘Too Fast for Conditions’, as per O.C.G.A. §40-6-180. No points are assessed against non-residents of Georgia.

Another penalty is that points will be added to your driver’s license. The more points on your license, the greater the consequences. For example, after you have accumulated 15 points within 24 months, the Georgia Department of Driver Services may suspend your driver’s license, even if some of the violations occurred out of state.

For drivers under the age of 21, your license may be suspended if you accumulate 4 or more points within 12 months. During that year period, young license holders have a 6-month demerit point license suspension.

Don’t let a speeding ticket affect your insurance rates and driver’s license. Let our attorneys help with your out-of-state speeding ticket. Hire a traffic ticket attorney Atlanta who will contest your ticket to have your charges minimized or dropped.

Contact our award-winning criminal lawyers near me today to discuss your pending case: Ex-law enforcement officer Cory Yager, Larry Kohn, AVVO superstar, and William C. Head, Georgia’s best-known serious traffic ticket attorney. Tickets in Georgia for speeds less than 14 mph over the speed limit will not result in points on your driver’s license but may affect your employability if you have a Commercial Driver’s License. In addition to the loss of your driver’s license, your automobile insurance premiums will also skyrocket if you get enough points on your license.

It may be tempting to just plead guilty to a speeding ticket. However, as you can see, the consequences and repercussions will affect many parts of your life, from your wallet (insurance rates) to your driving privileges. To fight a Georgia speeding ticket and avoid the points associated with it, contact a traffic ticket attorney. An Atlanta traffic ticket lawyer from our law office is skilled and experienced with Georgia’s traffic laws and can help clients statewide.