The Georgia points system penalizes drivers for traffic violations and helps keep consistently dangerous drivers off the road. Different violations come with a different number of points. The more serious the offense, the more points you’ll accrue. When you reach a certain number of points, the Department of Driver Services can suspend your license. Plus, more points means higher insurance rates and difficulty finding coverage.
This system can quickly become confusing, so if you have questions about points on your license, an Atlanta car accident lawyer with Rafi Law Firm can offer more information.
How does Georgia assign points?
Georgia assigns points to track and rate different offenses of licensed drivers. The number of points ranges from two to six, with two being the least serious and six being the most severe offense.
The majority of penalties are for three-point offenses, which include:
- Failure to Obey Person Directing Traffic
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signal or Light
- Failure to Obey Flashing Signal
- Lane Direction Violation
- Operating Vehicle on Closed Roadway
- Improper Lane Usage
- Failure to Yield to Oncoming Traffic
- Improper Passing
- Failure to Yield to Pedestrian
Did you know you can be penalized three points for failing to yield to a funeral procession? That’s not the only violation that may surprise you:
- Open Container – 2 points
- Unsecured Load Resulting in Accident – 2 points
- Crossing Fire Hose – 3 points
- Allowing Passenger in House Trailer – 3 points
- Limits on Sound Volume – 3 points
Violations with the highest number of points (six) include:
- Unlawful Passing of School Bus
- Aggressive Driving
- Speeding 34+ Over the Limit
Your license may be suspended
At a certain number of points, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) is legally able to suspend your license. If you have received 15 points within 24 months, you will be at risk of getting your license taken away. Additionally, if you have added out-of-state citations, you will be susceptible to more consequences.
For those under 21, one or two serious citations on your license can result in suspension, no matter the points. For example, if you are under 21 and driving under the influence, your license will be revoked immediately. Or, if you are speeding and get points added to your license, then pass a school bus improperly, your license can get suspended.
Of course, suspension and cancellation of your license will vary based on the citations and points on a given license. The Georgia license point system is implemented to keep everyone safe on the road, so fewer considerations will be needed if you put others at risk.
Reinstating your license
Getting your license back after being taken away is sometimes complicated. Calling the DDS during their available hours is one way to attempt to get your license back. Others will also submit letters requesting reinstatement of the driver’s license.
For more assistance with this, speaking with a car accident lawyer can help. Rafi Law Firm can offer more guidance on what is needed to be a legal Georgia driver again and assist in providing more legal information about any license citations.
Contact us for assistance with the Georgia point system for a driver’s license
Even if you don’t fall under the above driver’s license suspension criteria, checking your points regularly is important. Twenty-four months is longer than one might think, so driving safely and not falling victim to any citations are essential. At Rafi Law Firm, we can answer all your questions about the Georgia license point system.
Give us a call today at (404) 800-9933. You can schedule a free consultation to speak with us further about any issues that might come up with dealing with Georgia driving laws.