Traffic Tickets and Points on Your Driving Record

Traffic offenses such as speeding, driving on a suspended license, texting while driving, failure to obey a traffic control device and other charges can affect your Georgia Driver's license. If you accumulate more than 15 points in a 24-month period, your Georgia driver's license will be suspended. Taking a driver improvement course (defensive driving) may be available to reduce the points on your record. It is important to have a lawyer with you in court whether you have a speeding ticket in Atlanta or texting while driving ticket in a rural area. There are many factors that are affected by traffic tickets including your ability to drive, points on your license, convictions on your criminal history and your car insurance rates. There are three main goals in cases involving tickets:

• Get your traffic ticket dismissed OR
• Get your traffic ticket charge reduced so that your fine may be lower 
• Keep as many points as possible off your license

---

Points for traffic offenses in Georgia:

Offense Code                                               Conviction                                                  Points  
§40-6-397                                                       Aggressive Driving                                        6 
§40-6-390                                                       Reckless Driving                                           4 
§40-6-163                                                       Unlawful Passing School Bus                     6 
§40-6-45                                                         Improper Passing on Hill or Curve             4 
§40-6-181                                                       Speeding:
                                                                         15 to 18 mph over speed limit                      2 
                                                                         19 to 23 mph over speed limit                      3
                                                                         24 to 33 mph over speed limit                     4
                                                                         34 mph or more over speed limit                6
§40-6-20                                                         Failure to Obey Traffic-Control Device       3 
§40-6-2                                                           Failure to Obey Police Officer                      3 
§40-6-253                                                       Possessing an Open Container of an 
                                                                         Alcoholic Beverage while Driving              2 
§40-6-248.1                                                    Failure to Adequately Secure Load
                                                                         (except fresh farm produce), resulting 
                                                                         in an Accident                                                2
§40-8-76                                                         Violation of Child Safety Restraint
                                                                         1st Offense                                                      1 
                                                                         2nd or Subsequent Offense                        2 
§40-6-241.1                                                    Violation of usage of wireless 
                                                                         telecommunication device 
                                                                         requirements                                                  1
§40-6-241.2                                                    Operating a Vehicle while 
                                                                         Text Messaging                                              1 
§40-6-54                                                         Improper Use of Designated Travel Lane  
                                                                         4th and Subsequent Offense                       1 
All Other Moving Violations                                                                                                  3  

---

Certain Mandatory Suspensions will apply if convicted for any of the following offenses:

1. Homicide by vehicle
2. Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used
3. Using a motor vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer
4. Fraudulent application for a license or fictitious use of a license
5. Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident
6. Racing
7. Operating a motor vehicle with a revoked, cancelled, or suspended registration
8. Felony forgery relating to an identification document

---

Other suspensions:

1. Refusal to take a chemical test in conjunction with an arrest for DUI
2. Conviction for driving without insurance
3. If convicted for driving while license is suspended, driver's license will be further suspended for 6 months
4. Failure to appear in court or respond to a traffic citation, your license may be suspended indefinitely 
5. Any violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act
6. 15 or more points on your driving record within a 24-month period
7. Any conviction for DUI drugs or alcohol

---

Source and to see other suspensions:
https://dds.georgia.gov/your-georgia-drivers-license/violations-and-suspensions-overview

Check the status of your Georgia Driver's License:
https://online.dds.ga.gov/dlstatus/default.aspx

Your traffic ticket includes the violations that you have been charged with as well as your court date and time.