If you’re looking to clear existing points from your Georgia driver’s license, the most effective method is to complete a certified defensive driving (Driver Improvement) course. After successful completion, submit your certificate to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) either in-person or by mail to request a reduction. You can remove up to 7 points once every five years. However, you cannot use this to reverse an existing suspension—so timing matters.
These steps help reduce your point total and may also improve your insurance rates. It’s wise to check your DDS profile regularly and act proactively if you’ve received recent violations.
How Many Points to Suspend a License in Georgia?
Georgia’s point system is designed to penalize repeat traffic violators and unsafe driving:
Drivers age 21 and over: 15 points in a 24-month period leads to suspension.
Drivers under 21: Any single conviction for an offense worth 4 points or more triggers a suspension.
Drivers under 18: 4 points in 12 months results in suspension.
Suspension periods can range from six months to two years for repeat offenders, and reinstatement usually requires a fee and completion of a defensive driving course. First and second suspensions allow for a restricted driving permit, but after a third, no permit is available within five years.
How Many Points Is a Speeding Ticket in GA?
Georgia assigns points to your license for speeding based on how far you exceed the speed limit:
15–18 mph over the limit: 2 points
19–23 mph: 3 points
24–33 mph: 4 points
34 mph or more: 6 points
“Super Speeder” violations (excessively high-speed tickets) carry additional fines of $200 and, if unpaid, result in automatic suspension and further penalties. For drivers under 21, even a 4-point speeding ticket is grounds for suspension.
Multiple speeding infractions in a short period can quickly add up, so consider talking to one of our traffic ticket lawyers during a free in-person consultation if you’re at risk. Attorneys Larry Kohn and Cory Yager have handled thousands of traffic ticket cases around Atlanta for many years. Larry and Cory have represented clients in traffic court who were charged with speeding, super speeding, reckless driving, and even DUI. (404) 567-5515.
How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in GA?
Points in Georgia remain on your driving record for 2 years (24 months) from the date of conviction. Each violation’s points are counted and expire individually, so if you received 3 points on August 11, 2025, they’ll be gone by August 11, 2027. However, the underlying offense may stay on your record for insurance purposes for up to seven years.
Insurance companies often review your entire driving history for three or more years, which means you might see rate impacts even after points expire. Defensive driving courses can reduce your points sooner, but only once every five years.
Consequences of Accumulating Too Many Points in Georgia
The consequences of accumulating too many points on your Georgia driver’s license are significant and include:
License Suspension: If you accumulate 15 or more points within any 24-month period (for drivers age 21 and over), your license will be suspended. For drivers under 21, accumulating just 4 points from a single offense can trigger an automatic suspension.
Restricted Driving Privileges: Upon license suspension, you lose your driving privileges until the suspension period ends. For first and second suspensions, Georgia allows a limited driving permit for certain purposes like work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered courses. After a third suspension within five years, no permit is issued, and suspension periods can last up to two years.
Increased Insurance Premiums: Insurance companies view drivers with many points as high-risk, resulting in higher premiums or difficulty obtaining coverage.
Financial and Legal Burdens: License reinstatement often requires paying fees, completing defensive driving courses, and meeting court requirements. Failure to comply can extend suspensions or lead to additional penalties.
Employment Impact: A suspended license can affect employment, especially if driving is part of your job responsibilities.
To mitigate these consequences, Georgia allows drivers to reduce their point total by up to 7 points once every five years by completing a state-approved defensive driving course. Also, points remain on your record for two years, so avoiding further violations lets older points fall off naturally.
If you face the risk of suspension, it’s advisable to consult a qualified traffic attorney to explore options such as contesting tickets or negotiating reduced charges to avoid excessive points.
How Does a Lawyer Help Reduce or Dismiss My Traffic Ticket?
A Kohn & Yager criminal defense lawyer can help reduce or dismiss your Georgia traffic ticket in several key ways:
- Review the citation thoroughly: They look for police errors, inconsistencies, or violations of your rights in the way the ticket was issued, which can be grounds to challenge or dismiss the ticket. For example, mistakes in the ticket details or improper procedure during the traffic stop can weaken the prosecution’s case.
- Negotiate with prosecutors: Experienced attorneys often negotiate to reduce charges to lesser offenses or arrange for alternatives like defensive driving courses, which can lead to fewer or no points on your license and lower fines. They act as your advocate to find the best outcome, including possible dismissal or reduced penalties.
- Court representation: If your case goes to court, a lawyer can represent you, present defenses clearly, question the evidence, and protect your rights. Having professional representation often results in more favorable outcomes compared to self-representation.
- Identify procedural defects and challenge evidence: Lawyers scrutinize the evidence supporting the ticket—questioning measurement devices or officer observations—and raise issues such as improper calibration of speed radars or lack of clear signage, which can lead to dismissal.
- Help reduce insurance and license impact: By minimizing points on your driving record and contesting or reducing charges, lawyers help protect you from license suspension and increased insurance premiums.
- Provide timely legal advice and filing: They ensure all deadlines are met and appeals or challenges are properly filed, which is crucial to avoid losing your chance to fight the citation.
In summary, a traffic lawyer uses expertise to either get your ticket dismissed outright or substantially reduce the charges and penalties, helping you avoid points, fees, and longer-term consequences. Consulting qualified Georgia traffic attorneys Larry Kohn and Cory Yager early increases your chances for a positive resolution. Call (404) 567-5515 to speak with Larry or Cory about your pending traffic violation case.
Overall, accumulating too many points can disrupt your mobility, increase costs, and complicate your legal and financial situation in Georgia. Being proactive about managing points and seeking legal help can protect your driving privileges.
Stay proactive and monitor your driving record online, resolve tickets quickly, and consult legal professionals to minimize penalties.
Protect your driving record and insurance costs by staying informed, acting proactively, and seeking expert advice when you receive a citation. For further support in fighting tickets or reducing your points, reach out to the best Atlanta traffic ticket lawyers, Larry Kohn and Cory Yager. We offer a free consultation. Call (404) 567-5515 anytime day or night and we will answer.