Georgia Driving Points are the hidden cost of a speeding ticket — they pile up on your license, and enough of them in a set time window will suspend your right to drive. This guide explains the Georgia point system in plain English: exactly how many points a speeding ticket adds at each speed bracket, how many georgia driving points trigger a suspension, how long points stay on your record, and how to check and reduce them.
All figures are estimates for general guidance, verified against Georgia sources as of June 2026.
In This Georgia Guide:
How Georgia Driving Points Work
Georgia uses a POINT SYSTEM. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) assigns 2 to 6 points per moving violation. Points accumulate on the driving record and trigger license suspension when thresholds are reached. Georgia’s point schedule is codified in O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57.
Georgia Driving Points by Speed Bracket
Here is how many georgia driving points a speeding ticket typically adds, based on how far over the limit you were going:
| How Fast Over the Limit | Points Added |
|---|---|
| 1-10 mph over | 0 (Georgia assigns zero points for speeding less than 15 mph over the posted limit) |
| 11-20 mph over | 0 points for 11-14 mph over; 2 points for 15-18 mph over; 3 points for 19-20 mph over (Georgia uses a unique bracket system starting at 15 mph over, not 11 mph over) |
| 21+ mph over | 3 points for 21-23 mph over; 4 points for 24-33 mph over; 6 points for 34+ mph over |
How long points last: Points remain active for 2 years from the date of the violation. After 2 years, individual points expire on a rolling basis. However, the underlying violation remains on the driving history permanently — only the points age off.
How Many Georgia Driving Points Until Suspension?
In Georgia, 15 points within any 24-month (consecutive) period for drivers age 21 and over. Drivers under 21: any single 4-point offense triggers suspension. Drivers under 18: 4 points within 12 months triggers suspension. Each new speeding ticket pushes you closer to that limit, which is why watching your georgia driving points matters even when a single ticket seems minor.
How to Check and Reduce Your Georgia Driving Points
How to check your points: Request a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) online at onlinemvr.dds.ga.gov. A 3-year report costs 6 and a 7-year report costs 8. Drivers may also use the free DDS 2 GO mobile app to view 2 years of driving history at no charge.
How to reduce your georgia driving points: Complete a DDS-approved 6-hour Driver Improvement (defensive driving) course to reduce up to 7 points from the driving record. This option is available once every 5 years. The course costs 95. Bring the original certificate to a DDS Customer Service Center or mail it to DDS, P.O.
Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Many courts may also dismiss the ticket entirely if the course is completed before the court date — check with your court. See our Georgia traffic school guide for the full point-reduction process.
Reinstating a suspended license: After a points-based suspension, complete a DDS-approved defensive driving course, wait for the suspension period to end, then pay a 210 reinstatement fee. Payment can be made online, by mail, or in person at a DDS office. The license remains suspended until both the course and the fee are completed.
Insurance Points vs DMV Points in Georgia
Georgia insurance companies use their own separate point systems and surcharge schedules, which differ from DDS points. A violation that carries 0 DDS points (such as speeding under 15 mph over) may still trigger an insurance rate increase. Insurance surcharges typically remain for 3 to 5 years depending on the insurer. A ticket can raise your premium for years — compare cheaper car insurance at Car Cover Guide if a ticket has pushed your rate up.
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How Georgia Driving Points Actually Work
A point system is the state’s way of tracking risky driving. Each moving violation adds a set number of points to your license, and the points stay on your record for a fixed period before they drop off. If you collect too many Georgia driving points inside that window, the DMV suspends your license — which is why even a minor speeding ticket matters if you already have points.
It is important to separate two different kinds of points. DMV points are what the state uses to suspend your license. Insurance points are a separate system your insurer uses to set your premium, and they often last longer than DMV points. A single speeding ticket can therefore cost you twice: once toward a possible suspension, and again as a higher insurance bill.
Some states do not use points at all and instead apply a surcharge or simply track convictions, but the practical effect is the same — more violations mean a higher chance of losing your license and paying more to drive.
Keeping your Georgia driving points low protects more than your license — it protects your wallet. Drivers with a clean record qualify for the best insurance rates, while each added violation can move you into a higher-risk tier. If a ticket has pushed your points up, acting quickly to reduce or contest it is usually worth the effort.
What to Do About Your Georgia Speeding Ticket
Once you have a Georgia speeding ticket, you generally have three choices, and the right one depends on the points involved, your driving record, and your insurance:
- Pay it — the fastest option, but paying is an admission of guilt that adds points and can raise your premium for years.
- Fight it — contesting can get the ticket reduced or dismissed, especially if the officer does not appear or the evidence is weak. See how to fight a speeding ticket in Georgia.
- Take traffic school — if you qualify, a state-approved course can keep points off your record. See the Georgia traffic school guide.
Before deciding, it helps to know the full cost — use our speeding ticket cost calculator and the Georgia points guide to see how close a ticket puts you to a suspension. There is no single right answer for everyone; the best choice depends on how many points the ticket adds, what your record looks like, and how much your insurance would rise.
Other Georgia rules to know: SUPER SPEEDER LAW: Georgia imposes an additional 200 state fee on drivers convicted of speeding 75 mph or faster on a two-lane road or 85 mph or faster on any other road or highway. This fee is separate from court fines and DDS points. Failure to pay within 120 days results in automatic license suspension, requiring an additional 50 reinstatement fee.
HANDS-FREE LAW: Using a handheld phone while driving is a separate offense (1 point for first offense, 2 points for second, 3 points for third or subsequent). ZERO-POINT SPEEDING: Georgia uniquely assigns 0 DDS points for speeding 1-14 mph over the limit — but drivers still receive a fine, a conviction on their record, and may face insurance increases.
Official Georgia Sources & Resources
- Georgia DMV: https://dds.georgia.gov
- Georgia Point Schedule: https://dds.georgia.gov/points-schedule
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex
Statute reference: O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57 (Suspension or revocation of license of habitually negligent or dangerous driver; point system)
This Georgia driving points guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Always confirm your current point total with the Georgia DMV.
More Georgia Traffic Ticket Guides
- Georgia Speeding Ticket Cost
- How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Georgia
- Georgia Traffic School & Dismissal
- Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator
- All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Fines, points, and procedures are estimates for general guidance and change when state laws change. Always verify the exact amount and process with your state DMV or the court listed on your citation, and consult a licensed traffic attorney in your state for advice on your specific situation.