How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in Georgia?
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How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in Georgia? Learn how Georgia’s point system works, how long points stay, and ways to reduce or remove them.
Author: Philip Kim, Founder, Philip Kim Law, P.C.
Defense lawyer Philip Kim has committed his career to standing up for the accused, and protecting the rights and reputations of his valued clients. If you face criminal charges in Georgia, we can provide you with the skilled, effective defense representation you need.
Published on March 31, 2023. Last updated on September 04, 2025.
How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in Georgia?
Most states use a driver violation point system to track traffic violations committed by drivers. Each traffic offense is assigned a point value, and when a driver accumulates a certain number of points, they may face penalties such as license suspension or higher insurance premiums.
The question arises for concerned license holders of how long points remain on the license. This differs state by state.
In Georgia, driver’s license points come off your license precisely two years after the violation date entered in the points system.
Points vs. Violation Record Duration: Understanding the Difference
While points disappear from your Georgia license after two years, the underlying traffic violations remain visible on your driving record much longer. This distinction significantly impacts insurance rates and background checks.
Traffic violations typically stay on your driving record for three to five years, even after the associated points have been removed. Insurance companies conduct “look-back” periods during policy renewals, reviewing your driving history for the past three to five years regardless of current point status. According to the Insurance Information Institute, most insurers maintain violation records for three years, though some extend this to five years for serious offenses.
This means a speeding ticket from 2021 might not carry points on your license in 2024, but it could still influence your insurance premiums until 2026. Understanding this difference helps explain why insurance rates may remain elevated even after points have been removed from your license.
How Does the Point System Work in Georgia?
In Georgia, there is a demerit points-based system. The moving violation schedule apportions specific points to be demerited from a driver’s license.
The value of points ranges from two to six, depending on the violation. The accumulation of points can result in the suspension of your driving privileges.
How many points are required before automatic suspension? The suspension will happen if:
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A driver over 21 accumulates 15 points within 24 months
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A driver is under 21 and accumulates four points within 24 months
Note, however, that commission of a serious driving license offense can result in your license being immediately suspended.
The Points Schedule and Georgia Uniform Rules of the Road
The Georgia Uniform Rules of the Road are the set of laws that govern the operation of motor vehicles on the roads and highways in Georgia.
These rules include a wide range of safe and responsible driving topics, including speed limits, traffic signals and signs, right-of-way, passing and lane usage, and parking regulations.
Where Can I Find Out the Value of Points for Particular Violations?
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) has published a schedule that indicates the number of points for specific offenses. This can be found on their website.
More minor violations attract a value of two points, while more serious offenses could attract as much as six points.
Here is an example of a few point values for traffic violations in Georgia:
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Unsecured load resulting in an accident – two points
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Failure to obey a traffic signal or light – three points
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Improper passing on hill or curve – four points
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Aggressive driving – six points
How to Check Your Georgia License Points Online
The Georgia Department of Driver Services provides an online portal where drivers can easily access their current point total and driving record. This convenient system allows you to monitor your license status without visiting a DDS office in person.
To check your license points online through the Georgia DDS website:
- Visit the official Georgia DDS website at dds.georgia.gov
- Navigate to the “Online Services” section and select “Driver History”
- Choose between a 3-year or 7-year driving record report
- Provide your driver’s license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number
- Pay the required fee using a credit or debit card
- Download your driving record immediately or receive it via email
The standard fees for Georgia driving records are $8 for a 3-year report and $12 for a 7-year report. These reports show your current point total, violation dates, and specific infractions. The system also displays when points will be removed from your license, helping you track your progress toward a clean record.
Consequences of Having Points on Your License
In addition to the possibility of having your license suspended, points on your license can increase your insurance premium. When you accumulate points, your insurance company views you as a higher-risk driver.
In some cases, you may not be able to get insurance coverage due to the number of points, especially if there are repeat offenses.
Another indirect consequence is that you may be required to attend time-consuming and expensive driver education courses.
How to Prevent Points on Your License
Obey The Law
To prevent points from accumulating on your license, drive within the boundaries of the traffic law. This includes following the speed limit, stopping at stop signs and red lights, using turn signals, and defensive driving. Know and abide by the traffic laws; you will never have to worry about points against your license or license suspension.
Attend a Defensive Driving Course
If you attend and pass a defensive driving course in Georgia, you can have up to seven points removed from your license and take the course once every five years to keep your record clean.
The number of points that can be removed varies depending on the violation. Generally, you can have up to 7 points removed from your license by completing a defensive driving course.
However, certain violations, such as driving under the influence, hit-and-run, or reckless driving, are not eligible for point reduction through defensive driving courses.
If you have been arrested for DUI, consider consulting with a Gwinnett County DUI lawyer.
Plead Guilty to a Lesser Charge
If you receive a traffic ticket, you may be able to plead guilty to a lesser charge that carries fewer or no points. This is often possible if you have a clean driving record and the violation is minor.
Request a Hearing
If you believe you were unfairly cited for a traffic violation, you can request a hearing to contest the ticket. If you win the hearing, no points will be added to your license.
Hire an Attorney
If you receive a traffic ticket and are facing points on your license, hiring an attorney can help. An attorney can represent you in court and negotiate a plea deal that avoids points on your license.
License Reinstatement After Points Suspension
If your license is suspended because of excessive points, reinstating it requires more than just waiting out the suspension period. The Georgia DDS has a defined process for regaining driving privileges:
Steps to reinstatement include:
- Complete the Suspension Term – Fulfill the mandatory suspension period issued by DDS.
- Pay Reinstatement Fees – Typically ranges from $210 (in person) to $200 (by mail/online).
- Provide Required Documentation – Such as proof of completion of a defensive driving or risk-reduction course (if applicable).
- Apply with DDS – Reinstatement applications can be submitted online, in person, or by mail.
Failure to complete these steps may extend your suspension, so it’s important to stay proactive. In some cases, an attorney can assist in expediting the reinstatement process or contesting the suspension.
Points Removal and Defensive Driving Course in Georgia
While avoiding violations is the best way to protect your license, Georgia law gives drivers a second chance through defensive driving courses. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) allows eligible drivers to remove up to seven points every five years by completing a certified program.
Key details include:
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The course must be DDS-approved (commonly six hours long).
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Drivers can apply the point reduction once every five years.
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Not all violations qualify—serious offenses such as DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run cannot be reduced.
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After completion, you must submit your certificate to DDS for credit.
This system is designed to reward safe-driving education and gives drivers the opportunity to maintain a clean record over time.
Impact on Out-of-State Drivers
Georgia’s point system affects drivers from other states differently depending on their home state’s policies and interstate agreements. The Driver License Compact, which Georgia participates in, facilitates information sharing between member states.
Most states will add Georgia violations to your home state driving record, but the point values and consequences vary significantly. For example, a Florida driver receiving a speeding ticket in Georgia will likely see the violation reported to Florida’s Department of Highway Safety, where it may carry different point values under Florida’s system.
California drivers face particular challenges since California reports most out-of-state violations but doesn’t assign points for minor infractions received outside the state. However, serious violations like DUI or reckless driving will still impact California licenses. Texas typically adds out-of-state violations to driving records but may not assign the same point values as the issuing state.
New York’s point system differs substantially from Georgia’s, potentially resulting in different consequences for the same violation. Some states, including Wisconsin and Michigan, don’t participate fully in the Driver License Compact, meaning Georgia violations might not appear on those states’ driving records immediately.
The duration these violations remain visible also depends on your home state’s record retention policies, which can range from three to ten years depending on the violation type and state regulations.
How Georgia Reports Out-of-State Violations
If you are ticketed in Georgia but live in another state, your home state may still take action. Georgia participates in the Driver License Compact (DLC), meaning most violations committed in Georgia are reported back to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
What happens next depends on where you live:
- Full DLC States (e.g., Florida, Texas, New York): Georgia offenses are added to your record, often with point values adjusted to match your state’s system.
- Partial Participation States (e.g., Michigan, Wisconsin): Some violations may not transfer, but serious ones like DUI almost always will.
- Insurance Companies: Regardless of state law, most insurers check multi-state driving databases, meaning violations can still impact your premiums.
Understanding this process helps you anticipate potential penalties even if you live outside Georgia.
How Points on Your License Affect Insurance Rates
Accumulating points on your license doesn’t just risk suspension—it also raises your insurance premiums. Insurers categorize drivers with points as higher-risk, often leading to surcharges or increased rates. In Georgia, accumulating 15 points within 24 months may even trigger the need for an SR-22 filing, a certificate of financial responsibility that labels the driver as high-risk. This requirement significantly impacts insurance rates, as drivers with an SR-22 status face premiums 40% to 70% higher than those without it, depending on the severity of prior violations.
The SR-22 serves as proof that you hold the state’s minimum insurance coverage, but it also signals to insurers that your driving record contains serious violations. The increased risk perception results in notably higher costs for car insurance policies, adding a financial burden on top of potential legal consequences. For drivers, avoiding an SR-22 filing—and the higher premiums associated with it—is a strong incentive to manage and reduce points on their licenses proactively.
How Philip Kim Law Can Assist
A seasoned lawyer can significantly impact the results of your case. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in the following ways:
- Provide you with legal advice: Our experienced and skilled attorneys will review your case, explain your legal options, and assist you in making an informed decision regarding your traffic violation.
- Negotiate with prosecutors: Our team of lawyers is trained to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce the charges against you or negotiate a plea bargain that may reduce the number of points on your driver’s license.
- Representation in court: Where necessary, our reckless driving lawyer can represent you and argue to have the charges against you dismissed or reduced.
We can provide valuable legal assistance to help you reduce points on your driver’s license and provide you with resources about Georgia’s hands-free law.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation so that we can help you develop a personalized strategy.
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Lawrenceville, GA 30046