How Many Points Will Suspend Your License in Georgia?
If you are wondering how many points it takes to suspend a license in GA, the general answer is 15 points within 24 months. However, Georgia has stricter rules for drivers under 21, and commercial drivers can face separate CDL disqualification rules.
Georgia’s point system determines how many points can put your driver’s license at risk. Points are added to your driving record after convictions for qualifying traffic violations. How quickly those points can lead to a suspension depends on your age and license type.
This guide explains Georgia’s point schedule, the suspension rules for adult and younger drivers, special rules for CDL holders, and what you can do if your license is suspended.
Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers represents people injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout the Atlanta area. Understanding a driver’s traffic and licensing history can also be important when investigating certain accident claims.
How Georgia's Driver's License Point System Works
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) adds points to your driving record after you are convicted of certain traffic violations. Getting a ticket alone does not automatically add points.
For most drivers, Georgia looks at violations within a 24-month period to determine whether they have reached the suspension limit. DDS uses the date the violation occurred when calculating this period.
Some serious offenses can also suspend your license regardless of how many points you have.
The Complete Georgia Point Schedule
Georgia assigns different point values based on the traffic offense. Common violations include:
| Violation | Points Assigned |
|---|---|
| Aggressive driving | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Passing a stopped school bus | 6 |
| Improper passing on a hill or curve | 4 |
| Speeding 15–18 mph over the limit | 2 |
| Speeding 19–23 mph over the limit | 3 |
| Speeding 24–33 mph over the limit | 4 |
| Speeding 34+ mph over the limit | 6 |
| Failure to obey a traffic-control device | 3 |
| Open-container violation while driving | 2 |
| Child safety restraint violation — first offense | 1 |
| Other qualifying moving violations | Generally 3 |
Speeding less than 15 mph over the limit and driving too fast for conditions do not add points under the current DDS point system.
Drivers should check the official DDS schedule for the point value associated with a specific violation.
When the 24-Month Clock Starts and Resets
Georgia’s 24-month period is rolling, meaning it is not based on the calendar year. The DDS looks at when violations occurred to determine which points count toward the suspension threshold.
For example, suppose a driver commits a violation worth 3 points in March 2025 and another worth 4 points in January 2026. Both violations can fall within the same 24-month period and count toward the driver’s suspension threshold.
If your license is suspended because you accumulated too many points, your point total is restored to zero at the end of the suspension period.
Drivers who have not yet reached the suspension threshold may also qualify to reduce their accumulated points. Georgia allows eligible licensed residents to request a reduction of up to 7 points once every five years after successfully completing a certified Driver Improvement course.
The Suspension Thresholds: Standard Drivers, Teens, and CDL Holders
Georgia’s suspension rules depend on your age and license type. Most adult drivers face a 15-point limit, while younger drivers and CDL holders are subject to stricter rules.
Standard Georgia Drivers (Age 21 and Over) — 15 Points in 24 Months
Drivers who are 21 years and older face suspension after accumulating 15 points within 24 months under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57.
A first point-based suspension is for one year, although eligible drivers may qualify for earlier reinstatement after completing an approved Driver Improvement course. Repeat point suspensions carry different penalties.
Points can add up quickly. Two 4-point speeding convictions plus a 6-point aggressive driving conviction equal 14 points—just one point below the suspension threshold.
Drivers Under Age 21 — 4 Points in 12 Months
If you are wondering how many points can suspend a license in GA for a driver under 21, Georgia applies stricter rules.
Drivers under 18 can face suspension after accumulating 4 or more points within 12 months. Drivers under 21 can face suspension after a single conviction worth 4 or more points.
For example, speeding 24–33 mph over the limit carries 4 points, meaning one conviction can trigger suspension for a driver under 21.
CDL Holders — Federal Disqualification Rules Apply
There is no single answer to how many points will suspend a CDL license in GA. CDL holders are subject to Georgia licensing rules and separate federal disqualification requirements.
Under 49 C.F.R. § 383.51, certain major offenses can result in CDL disqualification without reaching Georgia’s 15-point limit. Two qualifying serious traffic violations within three years can result in a 60-day disqualification, while three can result in a 120-day disqualification.
Some violations committed in a personal vehicle can also affect CDL privileges when the requirements under federal law are met.
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What Happens After You Hit the Suspension Threshold in Georgia
Once your license is suspended, you may need to verify your status with Georgia DDS, complete applicable reinstatement requirements, and pay a fee before driving again.
How Georgia DDS Notifies You of a Suspension
Georgia DDS provides notice when a licensing action results in suspension. Keeping your address current with DDS is important, and drivers concerned about a recent conviction should verify their license status directly.
Driving with a suspended license can result in additional legal consequences under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-121.
How to Check Your Current Point Total in Georgia
Drivers can check their license status and points through Georgia DDS Online Services. You can also order a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) for a more detailed driving history.
As of August 2026, a 3-year MVR costs $7. Reviewing your record can help you understand your point total and current license status.
How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Georgia
Reinstatement requirements depend on the reason for the suspension. For a first points suspension involving a driver age 21 or older, DDS allows eligible drivers to seek reinstatement after completing an approved Driver Improvement course and meeting applicable requirements.
Georgia also allows eligible drivers who have not been suspended to reduce their point total by up to 7 points once every five years after completing an approved course.
Atlanta-area drivers can visit DDS Customer Service Centers that handle reinstatements, including locations in Atlanta and Decatur.
How Points From Traffic Violations Connect to Personal Injury Claims in Atlanta
A driver’s license status and driving history may become relevant after an Atlanta car accident, but having points does not automatically prove that a driver caused a crash.
When investigating an Atlanta car accident claim, attorneys may review the police report, driving records, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what happened. If you were injured, knowing what to do after a car accident in Atlanta can also help you protect important evidence and understand your next steps.
Insurance companies may examine driving and accident information when investigating a claim. Understanding the questions insurance companies may ask after an accident can help you prepare before discussing the crash.
A Driver’s Point Record as Evidence of Negligence
A driver’s point total or prior traffic convictions do not automatically establish negligence in a new accident. Liability generally depends on evidence showing how the current collision occurred.
Prior driving history may become relevant in certain circumstances, however. For example, a driver’s record could be important in a negligent entrustment claim involving an employer or vehicle owner who allegedly knew the driver was unfit to operate the vehicle.
Because the admissibility and relevance of prior violations depend on the facts of the case, accident victims should not assume that a high point total alone proves fault.
What to Do If You Were Hit by a Driver With a Suspended License
If the driver who hit you had a suspended license, start by documenting the accident and obtaining a copy of the police report. A suspended license can be an important fact, but you still need evidence showing who caused the collision and what losses resulted.
After an accident:
- Get medical attention for your injuries.
- Obtain the police report and other available crash records.
- Save photos, videos, witness information, and insurance documents.
- Avoid assuming the other driver’s license status automatically establishes liability.
- Consider speaking with an Atlanta car accident attorney if you need help investigating the driver’s history or identifying other potentially responsible parties.
If the other driver left the scene, different insurance and investigative issues may arise. Learn more about hit-and-run accidents in Atlanta.
Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers represents people injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout Atlanta. If you were hurt in a crash involving a driver with a suspended license, our attorneys can investigate the circumstances, explain your legal options, and help you determine the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does it take to suspend a license in Georgia?
For most Georgia drivers age 21 and older, accumulating 15 points within a 24-month period results in a license suspension under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57. Certain serious offenses can also result in suspension regardless of your point total.
How many points can a driver under 21 get before suspension in Georgia?
Georgia has different rules for younger drivers. Drivers under 18 can face suspension after accumulating 4 or more points within 12 months. Drivers under 21 can face suspension after a single conviction worth 4 or more points. For example, one conviction for speeding 24–33 mph over the limit carries 4 points and can trigger suspension for a driver under 21.
How many points does it take to suspend a CDL license in Georgia?
There is no single point threshold specifically for CDL disqualification. CDL holders are subject to Georgia’s licensing rules as well as federal regulations under 49 C.F.R. § 383.51. For example, two qualifying serious traffic violations within three years can result in a 60-day CDL disqualification, while three can result in a 120-day disqualification.
Can I reduce my points to avoid a license suspension in Georgia?
Yes. Eligible Georgia drivers can reduce their point total by up to 7 points once every five years by completing a certified Driver Improvement course and submitting the required documents to Georgia DDS. This reduction can help drivers who have accumulated points but have not yet reached a suspension.
How do I check how many points are on my Georgia license?
You can check your license status and current number of points through Georgia DDS Online Services. You can also order a Motor Vehicle Report for a detailed driving history. As of August 2026, DDS lists a 3-year MVR at $7.
