Georgia issues fines and fees for traffic infractions but also keeps track of violations to identify dangerous and negligent drivers with a point system. This article covers Georgia's traffic violation point system, including the consequences of racking up too many points on your record.
For each traffic violation conviction, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) adds a certain number of points to your driving record. The number of points depends on the seriousness of the violation (see chart below).
Georgia drivers who end up with too many points on their records face license suspension. However, points don't count forever, and there are ways to reduce your points by taking classes (explained below).
The Georgia DDS generally sends out a notice when a driver has been assigned license points. A driver who accumulates 15 points within 24 months will receive a notice of suspension. The suspension period depends on the number of prior point-related suspensions in the last five years.
A driver's point total is reduced to zero after completing a point-related suspension. A driver can also erase up to seven points by completing a defensive driving course and submitting the certificate of completion to the Georgia DDS. A driver can get this reduction only once every five years.
If faced with a traffic violation charge, a driver can avoid a conviction and the associated points by paying a fee and completing a defensive driving course. However, this option is available only once every five years.
Georgia assigns the following point values to moving violations.
Violation |
Points assessed |
Aggressive driving |
6 |
4 |
|
Unlawfully passing a school bus |
6 |
Improper passing on hill or curve |
4 |
Speeding 14 to 18 miles per hour over limit |
2 |
Speeding 19 to 23 miles per hour over limit |
3 |
Speeding 24 to 33 miles per hour over limit |
4 |
Speeding 34 or more miles per hour over limit |
6 |
3 |
|
2 |
|
Failure to secure load resulting in an accident |
2 |
1 (2 points for subsequent offense) |
|
1 (2 points for second offense, 3 for third) |
|
Unlisted traffic violation |
3 |
Some traffic tickets won't add any points to a person's driving record. For example, a violation of the state's basic speeding law (driving too fast for the current conditions but not necessarily faster than a posted speed limit) is currently a zero-point offense. Read more about Georgia's Super Speeder violations.