Mark Casto | February 22, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus Georgia
In Georgia, drivers are subjected to a point system for traffic violations. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) sets a point system for drivers who commit moving violations on Georgia roadways. Awarding driver’s license points is based on how serious the violation is. After a certain amount of points, a driver’s license can be suspended, revoked, or canceled.
How many points are you allowed on your license in Georgia? We’ll discuss the process here. Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm can help if you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Columbus, GA. Call now to schedule your free consultation.
How Many Points Are Drivers Allowed on Their Driver’s License in Georgia?
Georgia drivers are allowed to accumulate 15 points on their driver’s license within a 24-month period before they face a license suspension. In some cases, however, a driver’s license can be suspended sooner.
Examples of offenses that can trigger a license suspension include:
- Serious traffic violations like drunk driving or reckless driving
- Committing a 4-point traffic offense when you are under age 21.
If a driver is arrested for driving under the influence and refuses to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test, the arresting officer can petition the state to suspend the driver’s license.
Traffic Violations and Their Number of Points
Points for traffic violations in Georgia vary based on the severity of the offense.
Below is a breakdown of common violations and the points that go against the driver’s license:
- Aggressive driving: 6 points
- Illegal passing of a school bus: 6 points
- Reckless driving: 4 points
- Improper passing on a curve or hill: 4 points
- Speeding: 2-6 points
- Failure to follow traffic signal: 3 points
- Failure to obey a police officer: 3 points
- Child safety restraint violations: 1-2 points
- Open container of alcohol while driving: 2 points
- Failure to secure load, causing an accident: 2 points
- Driving while texting: 1 point
- Other cell phone use violations: 1 point
As you can see, these and other violations can add points to your license and quickly move your total close to the limit. However, violations will fall off your total after 24 months.
What Happens When I Go Over My Points Allowed?
Once you exceed 15 points on your license within 24 months, your driver’s license will be suspended in Georgia. Remember, driving is a privilege granted by the state, not a fundamental right. Once your license is suspended, you will need to work toward restoring your driver’s license with the state. The Georgia DDS will consider the offenses committed and the serious nature of any offenses when considering when to suspend your driver’s license.
A driver’s license suspension can last six months or more. In serious situations, a driver’s license can be revoked or even canceled. Even before you hit the maximum of 15 points, your driving record can have other consequences.
For example, auto insurance companies can check your driving record and points on your license when they consider you for coverage. Insurance companies can increase your premium or deny coverage based on your driving record.
Also, if you are a commercial driver, employers and potential employers can check your record. Points on your driving record can carry serious financial consequences when they affect your employment or prevent you from finding new employment.
How Do I Check the Points on My Driver’s License?
You might wonder how many points are on your driving record if you’ve been ticketed at all within the past 2 years. Knowing the dates of your traffic offenses can also help you keep track of when they will fall off your record.
To check your driver’s license points in Georgia, you can request a copy of your Driving History Report through the DDS. This can be done online, by mail, or at a local DDS Customer Service location. The fee to check your record is usually $6 to $8. When checking online, you can obtain a view-only version that you can’t download, or you can request a printed, certified version.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Georgia drivers can cause traffic violations in any number of ways. Traffic violations in Georgia add points to a driving record, and drivers can only have up to 15 points within 24 months before they are hit with a suspension or revocation. Traffic violations can also cause serious accidents and injuries. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Columbus, GA, Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm can help. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
