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In Georgia, your driving privilege can be suspended for a variety of reasons, from accumulating too many demerit points to committing major traffic violations. Keep on reading to learn more about license suspension in Georgia, penalties you may face if you drive on a suspended license, and reinstating your license.
Common Reasons for License Suspension
A license suspension means that your driving privilege is temporarily withdrawn for a certain period of time. There are many different reasons why your Georgia driver’s license may be suspended. Here are the most common ones:
Excessive license points
In Georgia, you can get anywhere between 2 and 6 points added to your driver’s license for committing a moving violation, for example, speeding or running a red light. If you accumulate more than 15 points within a two-year period, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DSS) will automatically suspend your license.
Major traffic violations
Major traffic violations, such as vehicular homicide, hit and run accidents, DUI, reckless driving, and fleeing law enforcement, don’t accrue points. Instead, they warrant an immediate driver’s license suspension.
Driving without insurance
Georgia law requires that all drivers have at least the minimum auto insurance coverage. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance may result in losing your driving privileges for 60 days if it is your first offense and 90 days for the second offense.
Failure to pay Super Speeder fee
If you are caught speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or highway in Georgia or over 85 mph on any road or highway, you are required to pay a $200 Super Speeder fee. Failure to pay the fee will result in license suspension.
Non-driving offenses
In Georgia, you can have your license suspended also for reasons that are not related to driving, such as:
- Not responding to a Department of Driver Services notice
- Failure to appear in court (FTA)
- Failure to pay traffic tickets, fines, or surcharges
- Fraudulently using or applying for a driver’s license
- Failure to pay child support.
How Can I See if My License Is Suspended in Georgia?
To see whether your Georgia driver’s license is suspended, you have to access your driving record. The record contains your current license status and a history of your driving infractions.
There are several different ways to check your driving record: online, by mail, or in person.
Online status check
You can get your license status information and see whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked through the Georgia DDS website. All you need to do is provide your Georgia driver’s license number.
Purchase a copy of your driving history
You can purchase a certified copy of your driving history (MVR) through the DDS website. You need to create an account with the department before you can place an order. The report will be sent to your address within seven days of ordering.
Request driving report by mail
To request your driving report by mail, send the completed Motor Vehicle Application Form or a letter indicating your name, date of birth, license number, and mailing address, along with the payment and a self-addressed envelope to the following address:
Georgia Department of Driver Services
MVR Request
P.O. Box 80447
Conyers, GA 30013.
Order report in person
You can order a 3-year, 7-year, or lifetime MVR in person at your nearest DDS office location.
Driving on a Suspended License
Driving with a suspended driver’s license in Georgia is illegal and can result in harsh penalties.
First-time offense
If you are convicted of driving on a suspended license and this is your first offense within five years, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. Minimum penalties include:
- Imprisonment between 2 days and 12 months
- Fine between $500 and $1,000
- Mandatory fingerprinting forwarded to Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)
- Extension of license suspension for additional 6 months
- Court confiscation of drivers license when convicted
- A reinstatement fee of $210.
Second and third offenses
Committing a second and third offense is considered a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. It is punishable by:
- Imprisonment between 10 days and 12 months
- Fine between $1,000 and $2,500
- License suspension of 6 months
- A reinstatement fee of $310-$410.
Fourth and subsequent offenses
If you have four or more convictions, your offense is considered a felony with the following consequences:
- Imprisonment for 1-5 years
- Fine between $2,500 and $5,000.
Reinstate Your License
After your suspension period is over, you will receive a Notice of Restoration from the Georgia DDS with instructions on how to get your driver’s license back.
The exact requirements for your license reinstatement will depend on the reason your license was suspended in the first place. For instance, if it was suspended as a result of driving under the influence or accumulating too many points, you will need to complete an approved DUI program or defensive driving course.
Certain non-driving violations don’t have a specific license suspension period and can only be lifted by the court that ordered the suspension.
Reinstatement fees
License reinstatement fees vary based on the type of traffic offense and whether this is your first, second, or third offense.
- Points violation: $200-$400
- Driving under the influence: $200
- Failure to pay Super Speeder fee: $200 + $50 fee
- Failure to show proof of insurance: $200-$300
- Failure to pay child support: $25
- Failure to appear in court: $90.
Note that the fees indicated above don’t include fines, court fees, driving course fees, or application fees that may be required for your license reinstatement.
Once your license is restored, you will be subject to a one-year mandatory probation period. Any new traffic violations committed during this time may lead to an additional license suspension.
SR-22 form
A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) proves that your car insurance meets the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements. In Georgia, you will need SR-22 coverage to get your licenses reinstated if you commit a serious traffic offense, such as DUI, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, or driving without insurance. Minor violations don’t require SR-22 coverage.
How long you need SR-22 insurance depends on the type of traffic violation, however, the mandatory period is typically three years.
Hire a traffic attorney
If you have been charged with driving on a suspended license, it is essential to find an experienced traffic court defense lawyer who can represent you in court.
The Winit app offers a simple way to find a qualified traffic attorney in Georgia. After assessing your case, the lawyer will help you understand what you can be charged with and what defense options are available.
The process is straightforward. All you need to do is download a photo of your traffic ticket and submit any evidence right in the app. Our team will get back to you with a free quote within the next 48 hours. We will then handle every aspect of your dispute.
What’s more, every traffic ticket is covered by our risk-free guarantee. This means that we won’t charge you unless we win your case.
If you’d like to know how we may be able to help, give us a call today at (646) 859-0828.
