Georgia Department Driver Services Point System
Driver's License Suspensions and Revocations
Cancellation: The Department of Driver Services is authorized to cancel your driver s license if you fail to give the required or correct information needed in your.
Learning to drive is an important milestone. Driving is a complex task requiring mastery of various performance skills. It requires processing and accurately evaluating risk in the driving environment, developing appropriate responses to minimize risk, and gaining experience to predict what action others may take.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of 15 to 20-year olds. In 2005, 136 Young Drivers Ages 15-20 were killed and an additional 193 others killed as a result of a crash involving a driver Ages 15-20 in Georgia. In 2008, 3,500 15- to 20-year old drivers were killed and an additional 350,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes nationally.
Research shows that in order for young drivers to remain collision-free, parents must model safe driving behaviors and invest in meaningful guided practice over a long period of time to turn these skills into good driving habits. It is our hope that new drivers will have a solid foundation to develop safe, collision-free driving habits that will last a lifetime.
Commissioner Rob Mikell encourages parents and guardians to take an active role in educating their teen drivers. Additionally, he stresses the importance of being familiar with and enforcing the teen driving laws, and always letting good driving habits be the example.
Joshua s Law
Joshua s Law is a bill that changes the requirements that teen drivers must meet in order to obtain a Class D driver s license.
To get a Class D driver s license at age sixteen 16 :
You must have completed a driver education course approved by the Department of Driver Services and
You also must have completed a cumulative total of at least forty 40 hours of other supervised driving experience, including at least six 6 hours at night.
If you have not completed an approved driver s education course, you cannot get your Class D driver s license until you reach age seventeen 17. Remember, forty 40 hour of driving experience, including six 6 hours of driving at night, is always required for a Class D driver s license.
School Enrollment
Any applicant who is younger than 18 years of age must be enrolled in and not under expulsion from a public or private school.
Recent legislative changes have transitioned the reporting of Home School attendance from the local school boards to the Department of Education DOE Headquarters. In order to assist in this transition, DDS has begun accepting the Department of Education s Declaration of Intent To Utilize a Home Study Program HSPDOI, DOI as proof of attendance in a Home School program.
The Declaration of Intent to Utilize a Home Study Program form must indicate a 30 digit Department of Education number on the Signature Parent/Guardian line. The Date submitted is optional. This form is not a certified form.
Resources
Schedule A Road Test
Visit our Road Test Appointments page for more information on how to schedule a road test
at a Customer Service Center near you.
Teenage Adult Driver Responsibility Act TADRA
TADRA is a graduated driver s license program for young drivers ages 15 to 18. It was established in Georgia by a collaborative effort of highway safety advocates, legislators, law enforcement officials, educators, businesses and media in the wake of a high number of fatal vehicle crashes involving young, inexperienced drivers.
This act directly addresses the leading killer of our young people - traffic crashes. The law significantly changes the way young motorists earn and maintain the privilege of driving by providing a controlled means for new drivers to gain experience, and by reducing high-risk driving situations. While the law does focus on young drivers, it also contains important provisions that affect drivers over 21, particularly in the area of DUI prevention and enforcement.
Three-Step Process in TADRA
TADRA involves an intense, three-step educational process that allows the young driver to gain more experience behind the wheel:
STEP ONE - INSTRUCTIONAL PERMIT CP is granted to 15-year-olds upon successfully passing a written examination. The driver with this permit must be accompanied by a passenger who is at least 21 years old and possesses an unexpired Class C driver s license at all times while driving.
STEP TWO - INTERMEDIATE LICENSE Class D The license is granted to drivers between 16 and 18 years of age who have held an Instructional Permit for 12 months and passed a driving test. The Intermediate License has the following restrictions:
No driving between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Effective July 1, 2014 No exceptions.
Passenger restrictions:
For the initial six-month period immediately following the issuance of a Class D license, any Class D license holder shall not drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets or highways of this state when any other passenger in the vehicle is not a member of the driver s immediate family.
During the second six-month period immediately following issuance of a Class D license, any Class D license holder shall not drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets or highways of this state when more than one other passenger in the vehicle who is not a member of the driver s immediate family is less than 21 years of age.
After the second six-month period, any Class D license holder shall not drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets or highways of this state when more than three other passengers in the vehicle who are not members of the driver s immediate family are less than 21 years of age.
Joshua s Law - On or after January 1, 2007, any 16 year old who obtains an initial Class D license must have completed:
Since January 1, 2013, pursuant to Senate Bill 236 the DDS accepts out-of-state Driver Training certificates of completion from military dependents who move to Georgia within nine 9 months of his or her sixteenth 16th birthday. The parent s Military Orders are required for proof of their active military service.
STEP THREE - A FULL LICENSE Class C driver s license is granted to drivers ages 18 years of age and older who hold the class D license and have incurred no major traffic convictions during the previous 12 months. The following violations must not occur during this period:
DUI
Eluding a police officer
Drag racing
Reckless driving
Hit and run
Any violation that assesses four or more points on the driver s license
Drivers under the age of 18 years in a 12-month license suspension period must not incur a violation point count over four points.
Georgia has a zero tolerance for underage drunk driving. Convicted drivers with a blood-alcohol content level of. 08 grams or higher will face a 12-month license suspension on the first offense.
4DMV ONLINE GUIDE Department of Motor Vehicles Guide. 4DMV.com is a comprehensive DMV organization guide that allows visitors to discover DMV info.
Teen Drivers
Learning to drive is an important milestone. Driving is a complex task requiring mastery of various performance skills. It requires processing and accurately.
Point System. Under Michigan law, some traffic violations are civil infractions while others are misdemeanors or felonies. Depending on the violation and how it is.
Learn more on the Georgia point system how traffic tickets affect your GA driving record.
View the DBHDD Key Performance Indicators Dashboard Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
The State of Georgia considers dangerous, negligent or incompetent drivers to be a menace to the safety of the general public. Driving is a privilege - if you abuse it you may lose it.
There are three ways to lose your driving privileges.
Cancellation:
The Department of Driver Services is authorized to cancel your driver s license if you fail to give the required or correct information needed in your application or if you are otherwise ineligible. You may reapply once you satisfy the requirements.
Revocation:
When your driver s license is revoked your driving privileges are terminated and withdrawn until the end of the period of time prescribed by the formal action of the DDS. At the expiration of the revocation period, you may apply for a new driver s license once you satisfy the requirements.
Suspension:
When your driver s license is suspended, your driving privilege is temporarily withdrawn for a specific period of time. At the expiration of the suspension period, you may apply for a driver s license once you satisfy the requirements.
Reinstatement Information
At the expiration of the suspension or revocation period, a customer can apply for reinstatement once all requirements are satisfied. Please note that requirements differ according to the type of suspensions. Select for Reinstatement Information.
Reporting Convictions
After a conviction of a traffic offense, the court will forward notice of that conviction to DDS. The conviction information will be placed on the driver s driving record by DDS and additional penalties will be imposed, if applicable.
Mandatory Suspension
The Department of Driver Services shall suspend a license for a conviction of any of the following offenses in Georgia or any other state:
Homicide by vehicle.
Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.
Using a motor vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
Fraudulent application for a license or fictitious use of a license.
Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident.
Racing.
Operating a motor vehicle with a revoked, canceled, or suspended registration.
Felony forgery relating to an Identification document.
Other Common Suspensions
Refusal to take a chemical test in conjunction with an arrest for DUI.
Conviction for driving without insurance.
If convicted for driving while license is suspended, the customer s driver s license will be further suspended for six months.
Failure to appear in court or respond to a traffic citation, your license may be suspended indefinitely.
Any violation of the Georgia Control Substance Act.
DDS is authorized to suspend your license if its records or other evidence shows that you have accumulated 15 points within 24 months under the point system, including violations committed out of state. Select for information on Points and Points Reduction.
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Mandatory Revocation
When a license is revoked driving privileges are terminated and withdrawn until the end of the prescribed time period brought on by formal action by DDS. At the expiration of the revocation period and once all requirements are met, applicant is eligible to restore driving privileges.
Your driver s license will be revoked in Georgia, if you are convicted of one of the following:
A driver is declared a habitual violator for any third conviction of a mandatory suspended offense within 5 years. Revocation is for 5 years.
Refusal to submit to a re-examination of driving skills or knowledge of driving rules after receiving notice giving reasonable grounds for such a request.
If there is sufficient evidence of incompetence or unfitness to drive, due to being incapacitated by reason of disease, mental or physical disability, or by alcohol or drug addiction.
Limited Driving Permits
In some situations, a limited driving permit may be available for a fee during the suspension period, select for Fees Terms details. A limited driving permit would only allow the following:
Drive to your place of employment or to perform the normal duties of your occupation.
Receive scheduled medical attention or obtain prescribed drugs.
Attend classes at a college or school in which you are enrolled as a student.
Attend regularly scheduled sessions or meeting of support organizations for the treatment of alcohol or other drugs.
Attend a driver education program or alcohol/drug assessment and treatment program.
DDS may also specify the places you can travel to, specific routes of travel, times of travel, and indicate vehicles, or other restrictions deemed necessary. Limited driving permits are not valid for driving a commercial vehicle.
A limited driving permit will be revoked by DDS if you are convicted of: violating any state law or local ordinance relating to the movement of vehicles or violating any of the conditions or restrictions of your permit. A conviction will, also, extend the underlying suspension of your driving privilege for an additional 6 months.
Under 21 Years of Age Suspension
The driver s license of any person under 21 years of age convicted of any of the following offenses shall be SUSPENDED:
Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident in violation.
Racing on highways or streets.
Reckless driving.
Any offense for which four or more points are assessable.
Unlawful passing of a school bus.
Improper passing on a hill or curve.
Exceeding the speed limit by 24 miles per hour or more.
Aggressive Driving.
Purchasing an alcoholic beverage.
Driving under the Influence.
Misrepresenting age for purpose of illegally obtaining any alcoholic beverage.
Misrepresenting identity or using false identification for purpose of purchasing or obtaining any alcoholic beverage.
The driver s license of any person under 18 years of age who has accumulated a violation point count of four or more points within any 12 month period.
DUI
As of July 1, 2009
Age 1
Offense Count 2
BAC
Length
Fee
DUI School
Eval/Tx.
Interlock
Permit
0-15
1st
N/A
Age 17
210.00
Yes
2nd
Age 18
310.00
16-20
Under. 08
6 months
N 3
.08
12 months
2nd or prior juv. susp.
Interlock Permit
after 1 year
21
120 days
No 4
Yes, immediately
1st, prior mandatory
2nd
18 months
3rd
410.00
Possibly 5
As of January 1, 2013
Age
Description
3rd
1/5
Low BAC
No 3
High BAC without ALS
High BAC with ALS
Permit available for ALS, but cancelled upon DUI conviction
With Implied Consent Suspension
6 months, but implied consent is 1 year
2/5
Without ALS
after 120 days with court permission
With ALS
Permit available for 1/5 ALS, but not 2 /5. Interlock Permit
Ignition interlock permit delayed until after implied consent suspension 12 months
3/5
5 years
HV probationary license with interlock may be available after 2 years with court permission
1/5, no administrative suspension
1/5 with ALS
1/5 with implied consent suspension
120 days, but implied consent suspension is 1 year
1/5, prior mandatory, but no administrative suspension
1/5, prior mandatory and ALS
1/5, prior mandatory and implied consent suspension
2/5, no administrative suspension
2/5 with ALS
2/5 with implied consent suspension
Interlock permit after 120 days with court permission, though delayed until IC completed
2/5 with prior mandatory
HV-5 years
Possibly
1 Age is based upon the date of the conviction.
2 Count is within five 5 years based upon the incident dates.
3 Completion of a clinical evaluation and treatment, if recommended, is not required for reinstatement of a first DUI within five 5 years under O.C.G.A. 40-5-63.1, but it would apply for a second offense in ten 10 years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Courts may include completion of the clinical evaluation and treatment as a condition of probation on a first DUI.
5 Customers subject to a habitual violator revocation may be eligible for a probationary license after serving the first 2 years of the revocation. Some prior convictions on the customer s history can make them ineligible, including moving violations, underage alcohol offenses and drug or marijuana offenses.
Controlled Substance or Marijuana Notes:
1. Age is based upon the date of the conviction.
2. Count is within five 5 years based upon the incident dates.
3. Blood Alcohol Content.
4. Completion of a clinical evaluation and treatment, if recommended, is not required for reinstatement of a first DUI within five 5 years under O.C.G.A. 40-5-63.1, but it would apply for a second offense in ten 10 years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Courts may include completion of the clinical evaluation and treatment as a condition of probation on a first DUI.
5. See Note 3.
6. Customers subject to a habitual violator revocation may be eligible for a probationary license after serving the first 2 years of the revocation. Some prior convictions on the customer s history can make them ineligible, including moving violations, underage alcohol offenses and drug or marijuana offenses.
A person convicted of possession, distribution, sale, use, etc., of a controlled substance or marijuana will be subject to the suspension of his or her driver s license or driving privilege even if the offense did not occur in or involve the use of a motor vehicle.
For a first conviction within five 5 years as calculated between the incident dates, the period of suspension is 180 days. Reinstatement requires submission of an approved DUI Drug or Alcohol Use Risk Reduction program and payment of a reinstatement fee. Select for details of Reinstatement Fees and Payment Options.
The period of suspension for a second offense within five 5 years as calculated between the incident dates is one 1 year. Customers must submit a certificate of completion from an approved DUI Drug or Alcohol Use Risk Reduction Program and pay a reinstatement fee. Select for details of Reinstatement Fees and Payment Options.
The period of suspension for a third offense within five 5 years as calculated among the incident dates is 5 years. A limited driving permit is available after the first two 2 years of the suspension.
In some cases, the driver must apply for reinstatement to begin counting time toward the suspension period. Please contact DDS for additional details.
Please contact DDS at the number below for specific information regarding suspensions and reinstatements of all other controlled substance convictions.
Need Reinstatement Information.
You can contact the Department Of Driver Services at 678-413-8400. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, am until pm to assist with reinstatement questions.
You can submit a letter requesting reinstatement requirements to: the Georgia Department of Driver Services, Post Office Box 80447, Conyers, Ga. 30013. This request must contain your name as it appears on your driver s license, license number, date of birth, correct mailing address, and your signature.
You can visit one of the DDS Customer Service Centers that offer full reinstatements. Select for a listing of Customer Service Center locations, hours of operations and services.
View information on Reinstatement Fees and Payment Options.
Last Updated On: 11/10/2015.
