1.3 Georgia Driver's License Point System, Mandatory Suspensions & License Revocations

1.3 Georgia Driver's License Point System, Mandatory Suspensions & License Revocations

To ensure traffic safety and discourage repeat driving offenses, the State of Georgia maintains an administrative demerit point system codified under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57. Administered by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), the point system assigns specific numerical values to moving traffic violations based on their severity. Accumulating excessive points or committing statutory major offenses triggers mandatory administrative suspensions. For young drivers under age 21, Georgia law enforces exceptionally strict disciplinary thresholds under the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA).

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Legal Mechanics of the Georgia Point System

Points are assessed against a motorist's driving history only upon conviction, entry of a guilty plea, or forfeiture of bond for moving violations committed in Georgia or reported by other states under the Driver License Compact. Non-moving infractions—such as parking citations, expired vehicle registration tags, or non-moving equipment defects—do not assess demerit points.

Key structural rules of the point system include:

• Rolling 24-Month Active Window: Courts report convictions to DDS, but the 24-month point-accumulation window is based on the date each violation occurred, not the date of conviction. The conviction remains on the driving history after its points no longer count toward that window.
• Adult Suspension Threshold (Age 21 and Older): An adult driver who accumulates 15 or more points within any consecutive 24-month period faces an immediate, mandatory administrative suspension of their driver's license.
• Voluntary Point Reduction: Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-86, an eligible driver may successfully complete a certified DDS-approved 6-hour Defensive Driving Course once every five years to reduce up to 7 points from their active driving record, provided an administrative suspension has not already been ordered.

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Statutory Point Assignment Schedule

Georgia statutes establish precise point values for moving traffic violations. Understanding these exact numbers is critical for the DDS written examination:

Speeding Violations (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-181 / § 40-5-57)

Speeding convictions are assigned points on a graduated scale based on miles per hour (mph) over the posted speed limit:

• 1 to 14 mph over posted limit: 0 points (No points assessed under Georgia law, although monetary statutory fines and court costs still apply).
• 15 to 18 mph over posted limit: 2 points.
• 19 to 23 mph over posted limit: 3 points.
• 24 to 33 mph over posted limit: 4 points.
• 34 mph or more over posted limit: 6 points.

Six-Point Violations (Maximum Single Moving Assessment)

Georgia reserves the maximum 6-point assessment for offenses exhibiting extreme recklessness or blatant disregard for human life:

1. Aggressive Driving (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-397): 6 points. Legally defined as operating any motor vehicle with the deliberate intent to harass, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person.
2. Unlawfully Passing a Stopped School Bus (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-163): 6 points. Failing to stop for a school bus displaying visual flashing red lights and an extended mechanical stop-signal arm while loading or discharging children.
3. Speeding 34+ mph over the limit: 6 points.

Four-Point Violations

• Reckless Driving (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390): 4 points. Operating a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property.
• Improper Passing on a Hill or Curve (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-45): 4 points. Overtaking another vehicle on the left side of the roadway where highway geometry obscures forward vision.
• Speeding 24 to 33 mph over the posted limit: 4 points.

Minor-to-Moderate Moving Violations

• Disobedience to Any Traffic-Control Device or Police Officer: 3 points.
• Following Too Closely (Tailgating): 3 points.
• Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: 3 points.
• Operating a Vehicle with Open Container of Alcohol: 2 points.
• Improper Lane Changes or Failure to Maintain Lane: 3 points.
• Child Safety Restraint Violations (O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76): 1st offense = 1 point; 2nd and subsequent offenses = 2 points.
• Hands-Free Georgia Act Violations (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241): 1st offense = 1 point ($50 fine); 2nd offense within 24 months = 2 points ($100 fine); 3rd and subsequent offense within 24 months = 3 points ($150 fine).

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TADRA Under-21 Mandatory Suspensions (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57.1)

Drivers under 21 face stricter suspension triggers than older drivers, and drivers under 18 also have a separate point-accumulation rule.

The Single 4-Point Rule

Unlike adult drivers who are allowed up to 14 points before facing suspension, a driver under age 21 faces a mandatory license suspension upon conviction of ANY single moving violation assessed 4 or more points.

Furthermore, conviction of any of the following statutory major offenses triggers mandatory suspension for an under-21 driver, regardless of the points assigned:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391;
• Hit-and-run or leaving the scene of an accident (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270);
• Racing on highways or streets (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-186);
• Reckless driving (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390);
• Aggressive driving (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-397);
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer;
• Unlawful purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor while operating a vehicle;
• Speeding 24 mph or more over the posted speed limit;
• Unlawfully passing a stopped school bus.

Young-Driver Suspension Penalties

• Single Listed Offense Under Age 21: A first suspension is generally six months and a second is generally 12 months. For this single-offense rule, age is measured at conviction.
• Point Accumulation Under Age 18: Accumulating four or more points in any 12-month period also causes suspension, even if no one violation carries four points.
• Limited-Permit Rule: A limited permit is generally unavailable for these suspensions. DDS identifies a narrow exception when the suspension resulted solely from speeding 24–33 mph over the limit and the applicant is at least 18.

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Under-18 School Enrollment and Responsible-Adult Rules

Applicants younger than 18 must show acceptable proof of school enrollment or completion when applying. Current DDS options include a notarized DDS-1 certificate, a recent transcript or progress report, a current school ID or other valid school document, specified home-school documents, a diploma or GED, or proof of enrollment in a GED or postsecondary program. DDS also requires a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult to sign the application. The person who signs may ask DDS to revoke the minor's permit or license before the minor turns 18.

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License Suspension vs. Revocation

Candidates must understand the critical legal distinction between a license suspension and a license revocation:

Driver's License Suspension

• Definition: The temporary withdrawal of a person's driving privilege for a predetermined, finite period.
• Legal Status: The license legally exists in a suspended state. When the statutory suspension period expires, driving privileges can be reinstated upon satisfying statutory conditions (such as paying administrative reinstatement fees and submitting proof of completing a DDS-approved 20-hour Risk Reduction / DUI course or 6-hour Defensive Driving course).

Driver's License Revocation

• Definition: The complete legal termination and cancellation of an individual's driving privilege.
• Cause: Triggered by extreme, repeated criminal driving behavior, such as being declared a Habitual Violator (HV) under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-58 following three convictions of major offenses (DUI, vehicular homicide, hit-and-run, fleeing police) within a five-year period.
• Reinstatement Process: Revocation terminates the license rather than merely pausing it. Eligibility and reinstatement steps depend on the basis for revocation. A person declared a Habitual Violator generally faces a five-year revocation and may become eligible for a probationary license after two years; DDS should be consulted for the person’s specific requirements and fees.