How long does it take for points to fall off your license in GA? -

How long does it take for points to fall off your license in GA?

Driving is a responsibility, and the state of Georgia, like most states, enforces traffic laws through a point system. This system is designed to encourage safe driving and penalize repeated or severe violations. If you’ve received a traffic ticket in Georgia, you might be wondering how long the points from that violation will affect your driving record. This article will explore in detail how Georgia’s point system works, how long points stay on your license, what you can do to remove them, and the broader impact on your life.

Understanding Georgia’s Point System

Georgia’s Department of Driver Services (DDS) manages a point system that assigns values to various moving violations. The more severe the violation, the higher the points. The purpose of this system is to track and penalize drivers who repeatedly break traffic laws. Here are some examples of common violations and their point values:

Speeding (15-18 mph over limit): 2 points
Speeding (19-23 mph over limit): 3 points
Speeding (24-33 mph over limit): 4 points
Speeding (34+ mph over limit): 6 points
Reckless driving: 4 points
Aggressive driving: 6 points
Unlawful passing of a school bus: 6 points
Improper passing on a hill or curve: 4 points
Failure to obey a traffic control device: 3 points

Points are assigned only after a conviction, not simply after receiving a ticket. If you successfully contest a ticket in court, no points are added to your record.

How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in Georgia?

The central question for many drivers is: How long do these points remain on your record? In Georgia, points from moving violations stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offense. This means that each violation’s points will automatically fall off your record exactly two years after the incident occurred.

For example, if you were convicted of speeding on June 1, 2023, the points from that ticket would be removed from your record on June 1, 2025. If you receive another ticket in December 2023, those points would remain until December 2025. Each violation is tracked separately, and their points expire on a rolling basis.

Why Do Points Matter?

Points on your license are more than just numbers—they can have real consequences for your driving privileges, your insurance rates, and even your employment opportunities.

License Suspension

Georgia law sets strict thresholds for license suspension based on point accumulation:

Adult drivers (21 and older): License is suspended if you accumulate 15 or more points within a 24-month period.
Drivers under 21: A single conviction worth 4 points or more (such as reckless driving or passing a school bus) can result in immediate suspension.
Drivers under 18: License is suspended if you accumulate 4 points within a 12-month period.

As points fall off after two years, your risk of suspension decreases, provided you avoid new violations.

Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies regularly check your driving record. Even a single violation can increase your premiums, and multiple points can make you appear as a high-risk driver. While points fall off your DDS record after two years, insurance companies may consider the underlying violations for three to five years or more.

Employment

Many employers, especially those hiring for positions that require driving, check driving records during the hiring process. Points and violations can limit your job prospects or even result in job loss if driving is a key part of your work.

Can You Remove Points Sooner?

Yes, Georgia allows drivers to reduce points before the two-year period is up, but only under specific conditions.

Defensive Driving Course

You can complete a certified Defensive Driving (Driver Improvement) course to reduce up to seven points from your driving record once every five years. Here’s how it works:

Enroll in a DDS-certified course (either in-person or online).
Complete the course and obtain a certificate of completion.
Submit the certificate to the Georgia DDS in person or by mail.
DDS will deduct up to seven points from your record.

This can be a valuable tool if you are close to the suspension threshold, but it cannot be used to reverse a suspension that has already taken effect.

What About the Violation Itself?

While points fall off your record after two years, the actual violation may remain visible to insurance companies and employers for longer. For example, a DUI conviction stays on your record for life, and many other violations will appear for at least five to seven years, even after the points are gone. This is important to remember when considering the long-term impact of a traffic ticket.

How to Monitor Your Points

It’s a good idea to regularly check your driving record through the Georgia DDS website or by requesting a copy in person or by mail. This will help you:

Track when points are set to fall off.
Ensure there are no errors on your record.
Make informed decisions about taking a defensive driving course.

Practical Example

Let’s say you receive a speeding ticket for going 20 mph over the limit in January 2024 (3 points), and another for running a red light in July 2024 (3 points). The points from the January ticket will fall off in January 2026, and the July ticket’s points will fall off in July 2026. If you avoid further violations, your point total will gradually decrease as each two-year mark passes.

Key Takeaways

Points from moving violations stay on your Georgia license for two years from the date of the offense.
Each violation’s points fall off individually, two years after they were added.
You can reduce up to seven points once every five years by completing a certified Defensive Driving course.
The underlying violation may remain on your record for longer, affecting insurance and employment.
Avoiding new violations is the best way to keep your record clean and your driving privileges intact.

What Should You Do If You Have Points?

Monitor your driving record to know where you stand.
Consider a Defensive Driving course if you are close to the suspension threshold.
Drive safely to avoid further points.
Consult a traffic attorney if you’re at risk of suspension or have questions about your record.

Conclusion

Georgia’s point system is designed to encourage safe driving and penalize repeated violations. Points from moving violations remain on your record for two years, but their impact can last much longer. By understanding how the system works, monitoring your record, and taking proactive steps to reduce points, you can protect your driving privileges, keep your insurance rates low, and maintain a clean record. The best strategy is always to drive safely and responsibly—prevention is far easier than dealing with the consequences of accumulated points.