How to Get Points off Your GA License in 2026

Why License Points Matter so Much in Georgia

The Georgia DDS (Department of Driver Services) uses a points system for adult drivers. Drivers age 21 and over face suspension after 15 points in 24 months. Drivers under 21 face suspension from a single 4-point offense. A speeding conviction adds 2 to 6 points depending on your speed. These demerit points count for a 24-month window.

If you reach 15 total points within that 2-year window, your license will be suspended. Hiring a traffic ticket lawyer matters when you get a citation in Fulton, Gwinnett, Forsyth, or Cobb County. You can check your point total by visiting the GA DDS website.

We often see clients who come to us only after receiving a suspension letter from the GA DDS. Our defense options become limited at that point. Still, we take on the case and work hard to find the truth.

If you want to clear existing points from your Georgia driver's license, complete a certified defensive driving (Driver Improvement) course. After you finish, submit your certificate to the Georgia DDS in person or by mail. You can request a point reduction. You can remove up to 7 points once every five years. Check your DDS profile on a regular basis. Act fast if you have received recent violations.

How Many Points to Suspend a License in Georgia?

Georgia's point system works by penalizing repeat moving violations and unsafe driving:

Our guide to the Georgia driver’s license point system breaks down how each violation is scored.

• 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.

A first point suspension runs one year, a second within five years runs three years, and a third runs two years. Reinstatement usually requires a fee and completion of a defensive driving course. A first or second suspension can end early once you meet the reinstatement requirements. During a third suspension, Georgia allows no early return and no limited driving permit.

How to Remove Points From Your Georgia License

You have several ways to remove points from your license. Georgia law gives you options. The right approach depends on whether points are already on your record or whether you can still fight the underlying ticket.

Complete a DDS-Approved Defensive Driving Course

Georgia law gives any driver who has accumulated points a seven-point reduction, down to no less than zero. You must finish a defensive driving course approved by the Georgia DDS. This option is available one time only in any five-year period. The course is sometimes called a Driver Improvement Clinic. Check the course length with your provider before you enroll.

After successful completion of the course, submit your certificate to the DDS. The department will reduce your point count. Your total will not go below zero. You can find approved course providers on the Georgia DDS website.

Wait for Points to Expire Automatically

Do points go away on your license without any action from you? Yes. Georgia counts your points over a rolling 24-month window, measured from arrest date to arrest date. You do not need to take any action. Older points simply fall outside that window as time passes. However, the underlying conviction stays on your motor vehicle report longer. It may still affect your insurance rates.

Fight the Ticket Before Points Are Assessed

The most effective way to get points off your license is to prevent them from being added. A traffic attorney can challenge the citation in court. They can negotiate a reduction to a lesser offense or seek a dismissal. If the charge is dropped or reduced to a non-point violation, no points are ever recorded.

Enter a Nolo Contendere Plea on an Eligible Offense

Georgia law lets a court accept a plea that results in no points on an eligible traffic offense. A court may also order or accept a defensive driving course and assess zero points, cutting the fine by 20 percent. That court-ordered option is available once every five years. The clock runs from arrest date to arrest date. A second nolo plea within five years is treated as a regular conviction for point purposes.

Keep in mind that nolo pleas are not available for every violation. A nolo plea does not erase the citation from your record. It only prevents points from being added to your DDS total.

No service or course can erase a conviction from your Georgia driving record. Only a successful appeal of the conviction itself removes it from the record.

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 convictions – 85 mph or more on any road, or 75 mph or more on a two-lane road – carry a $200 state fee. If it goes unpaid for 90 days after notice, your license is suspended and a $50 fee is added. For drivers under 21, even a 4-point speeding ticket can cause suspension. Multiple speeding infractions in a short period add up fast.

Talking to one of our traffic ticket lawyers during a free in-person consultation is wise if you are at risk. Attorneys Larry Kohn and Cory Yager have handled thousands of traffic ticket cases around Atlanta over many years. They have represented clients charged with speeding, super speeding, reckless driving, and DUI. Call (404) 567-5515.

How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in Georgia?

Drivers ask this two ways: how long do points remain on your license, and how long do points last on your license. The answer is the same either way. Under Georgia's point law, each violation's points count against you for 24 months, measured from the arrest date. That 2-year clock runs separately for each offense.

For example, if you were arrested on August 11, 2026, the points from that citation stop counting on August 11, 2028. A second citation six months later would carry its own 24-month timer. No calendar reset wipes all points at once.

Points stop counting on the 24-month anniversary of the arrest behind each conviction. You do not need to file paperwork or notify the DDS. The department tracks the dates and drops the old points from your total on schedule. The point value of each offense is set by state statute, not by DDS rule.

Points stop counting after 24 months for DDS purposes. However, the underlying conviction does not vanish. It stays on your motor vehicle report and may be visible for years.

Most Georgia insurers review your driving history for three to seven years. Even after the DDS removes points, your insurer may still surcharge your premium based on the conviction itself. Fighting a ticket before conviction – rather than waiting for points to expire – can save you money over time.

For more detail on insurance timelines, see how long a speeding ticket stays on your license. If you are concerned about points affecting your license status, contact Kohn & Yager LLC at (404) 567-5515 for a free consultation.

How to Check How Many Points on Your License in Georgia

Georgia offers two ways to find out how many points the DDS has on your record.

Check Online Through the DDS Portal

Visit the Georgia DDS Online Services portal at dds.georgia.gov. Request a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). You can order a 3-year or 7-year report. Each report includes your conviction history, your current number of points, and any suspension history. A fee applies for each MVR request.

Visit a DDS Customer Service Center in Person

You can also request your driving record at any DDS Customer Service Center. Bring a valid Georgia ID or driver's license. Staff can print your MVR right away.

Your MVR shows only convictions – not pending citations. A ticket you received last week will not appear until the court enters a conviction or you enter a plea. Nolo contendere pleas may or may not show points. This depends on whether the court ordered a zero-point disposition and whether you have used that option within the past five years.

Checking your record on a regular basis is a smart habit. This is true if you drive for a living or have received multiple citations in a short period.

Consequences of Accumulating Too Many Points in Georgia in 2026

Accumulating too many points on your Georgia driver's license carries serious consequences.

License Suspension: If you accumulate 15 or more points within 24 months (for drivers age 21 and over), your license will be suspended. For drivers under 21, accumulating 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. You can use it for work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered courses. During a third point suspension within five years, no limited permit is issued. Suspension periods run from one to three years depending on your prior record.

Increased Insurance Premiums: Insurance companies view drivers with many points as high-risk. This results 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 reduce these consequences, Georgia allows drivers to lower their point total by up to 7 points once in any five-year period. Complete a state-approved defensive driving course. Also, points count toward suspension for two years. Avoiding further violations lets older points fall off naturally. If you face the risk of suspension, consult a qualified traffic attorney. They can help you contest tickets or negotiate reduced charges to avoid excessive points.

How Does a Lawyer Help Reduce or Dismiss My Traffic Ticket?

A Kohn & Yager LLC criminal defense lawyer can help reduce or dismiss your Georgia traffic ticket in several ways.

Review the Citation Thoroughly: Your lawyer looks for police errors, inconsistencies, or violations of your rights. These can be grounds to challenge or dismiss the ticket. Mistakes in the ticket details or improper procedure during the traffic stop weaken the prosecution's case.

Negotiate with Prosecutors: Experienced attorneys often negotiate to reduce charges to lesser offenses. They may arrange alternatives like defensive driving courses. This can result in fewer or no points on your license and lower fines. Your attorney acts as your advocate to work toward a favorable outcome.

Represent You in Court: If your case goes to court, your lawyer can represent you. They present defenses clearly, question the evidence, and protect your rights. Professional representation often results in more favorable outcomes compared to self-representation.

Identify Procedural Defects and Challenge Evidence: Your lawyer will scrutinize the evidence supporting the ticket. They question measurement devices or officer observations. They raise issues such as improper calibration of speed radars or lack of clear signage. These challenges can lead to dismissal.

Minimize Points and License Impact: By contesting charges, lawyers help protect you from license suspension. They also help you avoid increased insurance premiums.

Provide Timely Legal Advice and Filing: Your attorney ensures all deadlines are met. Appeals or challenges are properly filed. This is crucial to avoid losing your chance to fight the citation.

A traffic lawyer uses expertise to get your ticket dismissed outright or substantially reduce the charges and penalties. You can 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. They offer free legal advice in Atlanta, GA.

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. Monitor your driving record online on a regular basis. Resolve tickets quickly. 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, contact Atlanta traffic ticket lawyers Larry Kohn and Cory Yager. We offer a free consultation. Call (404) 567-5515 any time day or night and we will answer.

Is Brake Checking Illegal in Georgia?

Brake checking is not named as a specific traffic offense in Georgia law. However, deliberately slamming your brakes to intimidate, retaliate against, or scare a tailgating driver can lead to serious criminal charges. Georgia law covers these actions through multiple statutes.

Brake checking is the act of hitting your brakes hard and suddenly when another vehicle is following closely behind you. Drivers sometimes do this out of frustration with a tailgater. While the motivation may feel justified, the legal consequences can be severe.

Reckless Driving Charges

Under Georgia's reckless driving law, any person who drives in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense. A brake check that forces the trailing driver to swerve or slam their brakes could meet this standard. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor. It carries a fine up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. It carries 4 points on your Georgia license.

Aggressive Driving Charges

Under Georgia's aggressive driving law, a person commits the offense when operating a vehicle with the intent to annoy, harass, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person. A deliberate brake check aimed at scaring a tailgater fits within this definition. Aggressive driving is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. It carries 6 points on your license.

Six points from a single aggressive driving conviction puts any driver under 21 into automatic suspension territory. For adult drivers, it pushes the point total dangerously close to the 15-point threshold.

The Tailgater May Face Charges Too

The driver behind may also be cited for following too closely. Georgia law bars following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. A following-too-closely conviction carries 3 points.

Civil Liability

If a brake check causes a rear-end collision, the brake-checking driver could face civil liability for the crash. Insurance adjusters and courts may assign partial or full fault to the driver who deliberately created the hazard.

Fighting an aggressive driving or reckless driving citation is critical. These charges carry high point values, potential jail time, and long-term insurance consequences. A traffic attorney may be able to negotiate the charge down to a lesser offense or challenge the evidence of intent.

Talk to a Georgia Traffic Ticket Attorney About Your License Points

If you have points on your Georgia license – or a pending citation that could add more – act quickly. This may protect your driving privileges. Georgia gives you a limited window to respond to a traffic ticket. The court date is printed on the citation. Missing that deadline can result in a default conviction. Automatic point assessment will follow.

Kohn & Yager LLC handles traffic citations and license-point issues throughout Georgia. Our attorneys understand Georgia DDS procedures. They know how points are assessed. They understand how nolo contendere pleas work. They can tell you what options may be available. This depends on your driving history and the specific court handling your case.

Before your court date, gather your citation and check your current driving record if possible. Knowing the points on your driving record helps your attorney evaluate your options. Your attorney can determine whether negotiating a reduction makes sense. They can explore entering a nolo plea or fighting the charge at trial.

No attorney can promise a specific outcome on any traffic case. Results depend on the facts, the court, the prosecutor, and your individual driving history. What we can offer is a free case review and honest guidance on your options.

Call Kohn & Yager LLC at (404) 567-5515 to discuss your traffic ticket or license-point situation. We offer free consultations and are available to take your call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does a Point Stay on Your License in Georgia?

Each point counts toward suspension for 24 months, measured from the arrest date. After that period, the points drop out of your DDS total automatically. The underlying conviction, however, may remain visible on your motor vehicle report for a longer period.

How Can I Check How Many Points Are on My Georgia License?

You can check your point total by requesting a Motor Vehicle Report through the Georgia DDS Online Services portal at dds.georgia.gov. You can also visit a DDS Customer Service Center in person with a valid ID. A fee applies for each report.

Can You Remove Points From Your License by Taking a Class?

Yes. Under Georgia law, completing a DDS-approved defensive driving course reduces your point total by up to 7 points. This option is available one time only in any five-year period. You must submit your completion certificate to the DDS for the reduction to take effect.

Is Brake Checking Illegal in Georgia?

Brake checking is not listed as a standalone offense in Georgia law. However, it can result in charges for reckless driving or aggressive driving under Georgia law, depending on the circumstances. Both offenses carry significant points and potential jail time.

How Many Points Does It Take to Suspend a License in Georgia?

For drivers age 21 and over, 15 points within any 24-month period triggers a license suspension. For drivers under 21, a single conviction worth 4 or more points can cause an automatic suspension. For drivers under 18, 4 points within 12 months leads to suspension.