Georgia issues fines and fees for traffic infractions but also keeps track of violations to identify dangerous and negligent drivers. Each traffic violation results in a certain number of points being assigned to the driver's record. Acquiring too many points will result in license suspension.
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.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (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 period of suspension 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 options is available only once every five years.