License Penalties

Understanding Georgia DUI License Suspension

A Georgia DUI arrest triggers two separate license actions. The first is an administrative license suspension (ALS) handled by the Department of Driver Services (DDS). This process starts at arrest – before any court date. The second is a suspension that follows a DUI conviction by operation of law. Each track has its own deadlines, penalties, and reinstatement rules. This article explains both tracks, the 45-day temporary permit, the 30-day deadline to request a hearing, limited and ignition interlock permits, and reinstatement timelines. Understanding how a Georgia DUI license suspension works is critical to protecting your driving privileges.

Day or night, call (404) 567-5515 for a FREE lawyer consultation with a co-author of Georgia’s leading law book on Georgia DUI laws. Our criminal defense law firm answers 24 hours a day.

Georgia DUI Convictions and Automatic License Suspension

A DUI conviction triggers an automatic license suspension through DDS. The suspension length depends on the driver's prior DUI history.

For a first DUI conviction, the suspension lasts 12 months. However, the driver may apply for early reinstatement after serving 120 days of the suspension, provided all statutory conditions are met. Those conditions include completing the Risk Reduction Program and paying the reinstatement fee.

A second DUI conviction within five years carries a three-year suspension. Under Georgia law, a driver with a second conviction may not apply for reinstatement for at least 18 months from the effective date of the suspension.

A third DUI conviction within five years brings habitual violator consequences. When three qualifying convictions accumulate within the statutory window, DDS may declare the driver a habitual violator. This results in a five-year license revocation.

Two specific offenses bar a driver from obtaining any limited permit. Under Georgia law, convictions for first degree homicide by vehicle and serious injury by vehicle eliminate limited permit eligibility. A driver convicted of either offense faces a three-year suspension with no early reinstatement and no driving privileges.

A DUI conviction can also carry jail time that the judge may not probate. A first conviction with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams or more requires at least 24 hours in jail. A second conviction within ten years requires at least 72 hours. A third conviction within ten years requires at least 15 days.

Two companion pages go deeper on a single arrest: our first-time DUI offense page and our blog write-up on a first offense DUI conviction.

A sister site in our network also publishes a Georgia DUI code overview for readers who want the charge itself explained.

Habitual Violator Status in Georgia

Georgia DDS declares a driver a habitual violator after three convictions within five years of qualifying offenses. Under Georgia law, the qualifying offenses include DUI, homicide by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, hit and run, racing, and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. DUI falls squarely within this list.

The consequence is a five-year license revocation. Driving during that five-year revocation, before DDS issues a new license, is a felony in Georgia. Driving after the five years run out but still before DDS issues a license is a misdemeanor. A driver may apply for a probationary license after two years of the revocation period have passed, but approval is not guaranteed. Habitual violator status represents the most severe license consequence for repeat DUI offenders. It carries long-term effects on driving privileges, employment, and criminal exposure.

Administrative License Suspension (ALS) After a Georgia DUI Arrest

The administrative suspension process begins at the arrest scene – not at court. Understanding each step and its deadline is essential.

The 45-Day Temporary Permit

When an officer arrests a driver for DUI and the driver either fails the chemical test or refuses it, the officer serves a notice of intent to suspend. This notice is Form DS-1205. The officer takes the driver's license and issues a 45-day temporary driving permit in its place. This permit allows the driver to continue driving while the administrative process proceeds.

The 30-Day Deadline

The driver then has 30 days from the date of that notice to take action. Under Georgia law, the driver must either request an ALS hearing with the $150 filing fee or elect to apply for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit. These are the only two options. If the driver does neither within 30 days, the right to a hearing is waived. The suspension takes effect automatically when the 45-day temporary permit expires.

This deadline is strict. Missing it – even by a single day – may result in a full suspension with no hearing opportunity. The 30-day window runs from the date the officer personally served the notice, not from the court date.

Requesting a Hearing

If the hearing is timely requested, the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) schedules the proceeding. The temporary permit remains valid until the hearing is held and a decision is issued, provided the delay is not the driver's fault. At the hearing, the officer may testify under oath. A defense attorney can cross-examine that testimony. This sworn testimony can later be used in the criminal DUI case, making the ALS hearing a valuable tool for building a defense.

Per Se Suspension for Test Failure

When a driver submits to a chemical test with results showing an alcohol level of 0.08 grams or more (or 0.02 for drivers under 21), DDS imposes a per se administrative suspension. Under Georgia law, a first per se suspension within five years lasts one year. However, the driver may apply for reinstatement after 30 days from the effective date. This requires completing the Risk Reduction Program and paying the restoration fee of $210 (or $200 by mail).

Refusal Suspension

Refusing the state chemical test triggers a separate suspension. A refusal does not qualify the driver for a regular limited permit. However, a driver who is 21 or older and has no DUI conviction within the prior five years may apply for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit in lieu of the hard suspension. For drivers who do not qualify for this permit, a refusal can mean a full 12-month period with no driving privileges at all.

Arrested for Driving on a Suspended License: What to Do Next

Being arrested for driving with a suspended license triggers its own legal process. The circumstances determine what typically happens.

After arrest, the driver goes through booking and may post bond. A first appearance before a judge follows, where the charge is formally presented. The criminal case then moves forward. Separately, once a conviction is reported, DDS imposes an additional six-month suspension on top of whatever suspension already existed.

The underlying reason for the original suspension matters. A DUI suspended license carries different reinstatement requirements than a suspension for unpaid tickets or failure to appear. The charging decision may also differ. Prosecutors consider the driver's full history, including why the license was suspended.

One common defense involves whether the driver received proper notice of the underlying suspension. Georgia law requires DDS to notify the driver. A lack of notice may be a viable defense in certain cases. Drivers charged with driving on a suspended license should consult an attorney about the specific facts, including whether they received notice and whether the underlying suspension was valid. Drivers who start from a search for criminal attorneys near me will find our Atlanta criminal defense overview there.

Limited Driving Permits and Ignition Interlock Permits

Georgia offers two types of restricted driving permits for DUI-related suspensions. Eligibility for either depends on the driver's history and the nature of the suspension.

Limited Driving Permits

A limited driving permit is available only for certain suspension types, and only when refusing it would cause the driver extreme hardship. It also requires that the driver have no DUI conviction within the prior five years. A permit issued during a per se administrative suspension expires after 30 days. The permit restricts driving to specific purposes. These include traveling to and from work. They include performing job duties. They include receiving medical care or picking up prescriptions. They include attending college or school. They include attending court-ordered treatment programs. They include transporting an immediate family member who does not hold a valid license.

A limited permit is not available after a conviction for driving on a suspended license. This makes a driving-on-suspended charge particularly damaging for someone already dealing with a DUI suspension.

Ignition Interlock Device Permits

The ignition interlock device limited driving permit serves as an alternative. It is available to drivers who are 21 or older and have no DUI conviction within the prior five years. This permit is the only driving option after a test refusal, where a regular limited permit is not available.

The interlock permit requires installation of an ignition interlock device on the vehicle at the driver's expense. The permit costs $25 and allows driving for the same restricted purposes as a limited permit. It also allows driving to treatment support organizations and monthly monitoring visits with the interlock service provider. Our page on the ignition interlock option covers the device and its DUI penalties in more detail.

Drivers convicted of homicide by vehicle or serious injury by vehicle are not eligible for either type of permit. These convictions bar any restricted driving privileges during the suspension period.

Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License in Georgia

Can you go to jail for suspended license charges in Georgia? Yes. Georgia law imposes escalating penalties for each subsequent conviction. Jail time is a real possibility at every level.

First Conviction

A first conviction is a misdemeanor. The jail sentence ranges from two days to 12 months. The court may probate the jail time. This means the judge has discretion to suspend it. The court may also impose a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000. This fine is discretionary – the statute says "there may be imposed" a fine within that range.

Second and Third Convictions Within Five Years

A 2nd offense driving on suspended license in Georgia within five years is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. A 3rd offense driving on suspended license within five years is also a high and aggravated misdemeanor. The jail sentence for either ranges from ten days to 12 months. Ten days is the minimum the statute sets for that offense level. The court may impose a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,500.

Fourth or Subsequent Conviction Within Five Years

A fourth or subsequent conviction within five years is a felony. The prison sentence ranges from one year to five years. The court may impose a fine of not less than $2,500 and not more than $5,000.

DDS Consequences

On receiving the record of conviction, DDS must add six additional months of suspension on top of whatever suspension already existed. After that additional period expires, the driver must pay a reinstatement fee. For a first conviction, the fee is $210 in person or $200 by mail. For a second conviction within five years, the fee is $310 in person or $300 by mail. For a third or subsequent conviction, the fee is $410 in person or $400 by mail. No limited driving permit is available during a suspension imposed under this statute. No defensive driving course alternative exists.

The chances of going to jail for suspended license charges increase with each prior conviction. Judges have discretion within the statutory ranges. A driver's history of similar offenses typically factors into the sentence.

When This Thirty-Day Rule Applies

The 30-day rule applies if you are in one of these situations:

• You refused to take any of the three post-arrest types of forensic tests: breath, urine, or blood test. This applies to all classifications of license holders.
• You took one of the three tests and your blood alcohol content was 0.08 grams or more.
• You attempted to take the tests but the police officer stated you refused.
• You were under age 21 on the day of arrest and your test result was 0.02 or higher.
• You held a commercial driver license and were operating a commercial motor vehicle, heavy truck, school bus, or other commercial vehicle when arrested. Your blood alcohol level was 0.04 or higher.
• You do not know what your blood alcohol level was.

Form DDS 1205 After a DUI in Georgia

When an accused driver faces an administrative license hearing, the arresting officer provides Form DDS 1205. This form serves as your temporary driver license. It notifies you of the administrative driver's license suspension. It also informs you of what must be included in a hearing request.

The current forms do not address the new $150 fee you must include to request a hearing. However, failure to include this fee can prevent your hearing from being scheduled. Many attorneys who are not DUI specialists and most other citizens are unaware of this requirement. This lack of information from an expert Georgia attorney can hurt you when trying to save your driving privileges.

In addition to the $150 fee, you must include the following on the ALS hearing request:

• Your legal name
• Your mailing address and phone number
• Your driver's license number
• Your date of birth
• Your attorney's name and phone number (if applicable)
• A statement about the facts of the case you wish to contest
• The type of relief you seek

ALS: Administrative License Suspension in Georgia

After successfully requesting a hearing, Georgia DDS will mail you a response with your hearing date. Georgia law requires DDS to hold the hearing within 30 days after it receives your written request. The temporary permit given to you by the officer on the night of your arrest will be extended until the time of the hearing.

An Administrative Law Judge from OSAH will decide the issues listed on the back of the yellow form the officer gave you at arrest. The judge will review these matters. If the officer fails to appear at this hearing, the civil request to administratively suspend your license will be dismissed.

Also at the hearing, the officer may be willing to negotiate a plea in the criminal matter. The officer might offer to withdraw this separate civil request to suspend your license in exchange. The hearing could be very important. In many of these hearings, no lawyer appears to oppose the request if the officer shows up. That gives you a distinct advantage. You can also get a transcript to use later in your criminal case.

The Georgia DDS 30-Day Appeal Letter or Interlock Installation

Once arrested for DUI in Georgia, you will face one of five situations. Your DUI lawyer will need to immediately address it. A DUI refusal poses the greatest threat to your ability to drive in the future. Such situations call for immediate legal advice about how to protect your right to drive. Consult with an experienced Georgia DUI lawyer.

A driver who refused the test has no regular limited permit option, so an ignition interlock permit for a full 12-month period may be the only way to keep driving.

The five situations are:

• You took the Intoxilyzer 9000 test and had a BAC of 0.08 or higher.
• You refused the breath or blood test after DUI arrest. There was no judicial warrant for forcible blood draw.
• You refused the breath or blood test after DUI arrest. The arresting police officer obtained a judicial warrant for forcible blood draw.
• You were under 21 years of age and tested at 0.02 or higher.
• You held a commercial driver license and had a 0.04 or higher while driving a commercial vehicle.

Regardless of the circumstances of your case, all 30-day DDS Georgia letters must include:

• Your legal name
• Your date of birth
• The date of your arrest
• Your driver's license number
• The name of the officer who arrested you
• Your mailing address and phone number
• $150 filing fee, payable to Georgia DDS

Your defense attorney should guide you through creating and submitting the letter that applies to your case. It is recommended that you send this letter via certified mail and request a return receipt. This ensures that DDS Georgia receives it.

If You Miss the Deadline: Georgia DUI Laws

Georgia DUI laws do not mandate that you send a 30-day letter after a DUI arrest. However, if you choose not to do so, you lose the right to drive. Upon missing the deadline, your driver's license will be suspended when the 45-day temporary permit expires. The only exception is if you have followed the complex rules for getting Georgia DDS permission to attach an ignition interlock on one vehicle for a full 12 months.

The suspension will be longer if you refused the chemical test. It will also be longer if you have any prior DUI arrests or convictions on your record. If you do not act in time, the refusal to take the post-arrest chemical test can result in a hard 12-month suspension. During this time you will not be eligible to drive at all.

Talk to a Georgia DUI License Suspension Attorney

The 30-day ALS deadline starts running on the date the officer serves the notice of intent to suspend. It does not pause for weekends, holidays, or court scheduling delays. The choice between requesting an administrative hearing and electing the ignition interlock permit carries long-term consequences. It affects both your driving privileges and your criminal defense strategy.

An attorney familiar with Georgia DDS procedure can evaluate your situation. They can advise on which track may better protect your license. They can also handle the hearing request or interlock application on your behalf. Early action matters – once the 30-day window closes, your options narrow sharply.

Two local pages carry the same subject further. Our Atlanta DUI attorney page focuses on DUI cases in Fulton County, and our criminal defense attorneys in Atlanta page covers the rest of the practice there.

Kohn & Yager LLC offers a free consultation to discuss your Georgia DUI license suspension. Contact us today or call (404) 567-5515 to get started.

License Reinstatement After a Georgia DUI

Getting your license back after a Georgia DUI requires completing several steps. No single step is enough on its own. All conditions must be satisfied before DDS will reinstate driving privileges.

Risk Reduction Program (DUI School)

Every DUI offender must complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program, commonly called DUI school. The program runs 20 hours and costs $360 through DDS-approved providers. Drivers who have moved out of state may use an approved course from another state. The out-of-state course must appear on the DDS-approved list. Completion of this course is required before DDS will process any reinstatement application. Drivers who want support beyond the required course can search SAMHSA's national treatment locator for alcohol and drug treatment providers.

Reinstatement Fees

After completing the Risk Reduction Program and serving the required suspension period, the driver must pay a reinstatement fee. The standard fee is $210 in person or $200 by mail. A recidivist conviction carries a higher restoration fee of $510 in person or $500 by mail.

Timing by Suspension Type

The earliest date a driver may apply for reinstatement depends on the type of suspension.

Per se ALS (first within five years): The driver may apply after 30 days from the effective date of the suspension per Georgia law. This requires completing the Risk Reduction Program and paying the fee.

First DUI conviction: The suspension lasts 12 months, but the driver may apply for early reinstatement after 120 days once all conditions are met.

Second DUI conviction within five years: The suspension lasts three years, and the driver may not apply for reinstatement for at least 18 months from the effective date. Reinstatement also requires one year of ignition interlock use unless DDS waives it for financial hardship.

Third or subsequent ALS within five years: The suspension lasts five years. A probationary license may be available after two years.

SR-22 Insurance

DDS commonly requires proof of SR-22 insurance – a certificate of financial responsibility filed by the driver's insurance company – before processing reinstatement. This requirement may last several years. It typically increases insurance costs.

Completion of the Risk Reduction course alone does not restore driving privileges. The driver must satisfy every statutory condition. They must pay the applicable fee. They must confirm there are no other holds on the license before DDS will reinstate driving privileges.

Your Presence Is Not Mandatory

If your attorney attends to contest the suspension or negotiate a non-DUI settlement with your police officer, you may avoid suspension prior to the conclusion of the criminal case. This hearing, if it takes place, must be held within 30 days after DDS receives your request. This assumes you appeal the suspension on time.

This hearing may be the only time your officer is placed under oath. You can get answers to questions that could benefit your criminal case. Do not pass up the opportunity to put the officer under oath. This is the only sworn statement you will be able to use to challenge the officer at the later criminal proceeding.

A Georgia DUI charge usually triggers two separate legal proceedings. You will have to challenge issues in two different court cases. Each case will have a different judge.

Beyond the traditional criminal prosecution lies the administrative license suspension issue. This determines whether you will suffer a pre-trial loss of license. The loss occurs either for refusing to take the test or for submitting to the test at the station with a result over the legal limit. This is how the two proceedings relate to each other.

Driving on the roads in Georgia is a privilege, not a right. By possessing a Georgia driver's license, you agree to submit to chemical testing. This applies if a police officer suspects you are intoxicated. The chemical test may be an analysis of blood, breath, or urine. Failure to submit may result in an administrative (civil proceeding) license suspension.

A sister site in our network walks through the implied consent notice in plain language for drivers who have just been served.

You have 30 days after receiving notice of the suspension to file an appeal. In most cases, the officer gives you that notice at the time of your arrest. This must be in written form. It must raise the applicable legal challenges to your pending administrative suspension. The challenge should be sent by certified mail (U.S. postmark date) or hand delivered to the Georgia DDS in Conyers.

Missing the 30-day deadline usually is not appealable. Plus, this failure to request a hearing can cost you the right to drive for one year or longer.

Length of ALS Suspension by Prior History

The length of an administrative license suspension depends on the driver's prior history. It also depends on whether the driver submitted to or refused the chemical test.

For a first per se suspension within five years – where the driver took the test and the result showed 0.08 grams or more – the suspension period is one year. However, the driver may apply for reinstatement after just 30 days from the effective date. This requires completing the Risk Reduction Program and paying the restoration fee. This early reinstatement option makes the practical effect of a first per se suspension much shorter than the stated one-year term.

For a first refusal, the suspension is also one year. However, a regular limited permit is not available. The driver's only option to regain any driving privileges is the ignition interlock device permit. This is available only if the driver is 21 or older with no DUI conviction in the prior five years.

A second ALS within five years brings a three-year suspension with no reinstatement for 18 months. A third or subsequent ALS within five years results in a five-year suspension. A probationary license may be available after two years of that period.

Requirements for License Reinstatement

Before applying for license reinstatement, you must complete a Risk Reduction Course. Many clients refer to this as DUI school or DUI classes. This course consists of two components and costs a total of $360. Once you have completed the Risk Reduction Course and served the required period of suspension, you may apply for reinstatement.

The reinstatement fee is $200 if paid by mail or $210 if paid in person.

Paying in person means a trip to a DDS Customer Service Center. The agency publishes its DDS phone numbers and a current list of DDS office closures, which is worth checking before you drive out.

An administrative license suspension hearing is triggered by sending or delivering a request for hearing within 30 days after you receive notice of the suspension. At this hearing, you may attend with your counsel. You may also represent yourself, but this is usually not advisable. The law does permit your attorney to proceed without you present. However, your legal advisor may want you present. They may need to have you testify.

Administrative license suspension hearings can be critical to a client's DUI criminal case. To begin, if the licensee does nothing, his or her license (or privilege to drive in Georgia) will be suspended. By missing the 30-day letter deadline, the client may lose all ability to drive in Georgia when the 45-day temporary permit runs out. This often hampers efforts to successfully attack the DUI criminal case. A client without driving privileges often loses the motivation to challenge his or her case.

ALS Penalties

Failing the blood, breath, or urine test with a result over the legal limit will result in a one-year license suspension for first-time offenders. The suspension period is three years for second offenders in five years. A third offense in five years can result in a five-year suspension, with a probationary license possible after two years.

This content reflects Georgia DUI laws effective July 1, 2008 and continuing to the present. The new DUI law in Georgia changed the criminal lookback term to ten years. However, this did not change the Georgia administrative license suspension laws.

A refusal suspension (or revocation) can be particularly damaging to your right to drive in Georgia. If you do not successfully challenge the legitimacy of the proposed suspension, serious consequences follow. No limited (work) permit is available for such drivers. Winning or negotiating a withdrawal of the proposed suspension is critical.

If you have had another administrative suspension within the last five years, this will count as a second administrative license offense. Your license can be suspended for three years. No work permit is allowed in such instances. This applies whether you refused testing or took the test with a breath test reading above the legal limit. For drivers age 21 or older who are not operating a commercial motor vehicle, the legal limit is 0.08 grams.

The standard under Georgia law for drivers under age 21 is 0.02 grams. For drivers in commercial motor vehicles, it is 0.04 grams.

A third or subsequent administrative suspension within a five-year time frame (date of arrest to date of arrest) brings a five-year suspension with no limited permit. This assumes that two earlier DUI arrests in Georgia already produced administrative suspensions. A third arrest for DUI in Georgia has now been made. A probationary license may be available after the first two years. Drivers under 21 are not eligible for an ignition interlock permit.

By: Atlanta DUI Lawyer and Trial Attorney Larry Kohn, Law Firm Partner

Both partners are listed by the Super Lawyers ratings service. Larry Kohn's Super Lawyers profile and Cory Yager's Rising Stars listing each show the years he was selected.

Readers who want more background can also look at Atlanta DUI lawyer William C. Head's Super Lawyers profile and his page of Board-Certified DUI credentials.

This article addresses felony and misdemeanor DUI cases and other traffic tickets. Criminal traffic law violations involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs trigger the automatic loss of driving privileges in Georgia. This loss of privileges applies to Georgia residents. It also applies to those licensed in other states. It applies to those who have no driver's license at all.

Georgia laws call for suspending a person's driver's license for many reasons. A short list includes not paying child support. It includes failure to have liability insurance on your motor vehicle. It includes having a bad driving record. This means accumulating too many demerit points for a traffic offense like speeding. It also includes dropping out of high school.

While our Georgia attorneys fight all traffic tickets, impaired driving is a serious misdemeanor charge that we are regularly asked to challenge.

Georgia DUI Laws Require You to Pay a Reinstatement Fee

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) will never reinstate you on its records until you comply with the DUI license reinstatement requirements handed down by the Georgia Legislature. These requirements include completion of a drug and alcohol educational component. It is officially named the Risk Reduction program. Most clients refer to this re-education component as DUI school or DUI classes.

The Georgia DDS-approved course runs for 20 hours. For drivers now out of state, Georgia DDS is willing to permit certificates from other states. The course must be on this Georgia DMV approved list of DUI schools that utilize comparable rehabilitative-type courses. To put it simply, you must show proof of taking a re-education course to get your driver's license reinstated in Georgia. It reminds you of the risks of driving under the influence.

This proof alone is not enough. You must pay the applicable reinstatement license fee associated with your drunk driving offense (first DUI, second DUI, etc.).

Can You Get a Restricted License After a Georgia DUI?

Whether you can get a restricted license after a Georgia DUI depends on three key factors. First, did the license loss come from the ALS track (the administrative suspension at arrest) or the conviction track (the court-imposed suspension)? Second, did you refuse the chemical test or submit to it? Third, do you have any DUI conviction within the prior five years?

If you submitted to the test and it was your first DUI offense in five years, you may be eligible for a limited driving permit. This permit allows driving only for approved purposes. These include work, school, medical care, and court-ordered programs.

If you refused the test, a regular limited permit is not available. Your only option is the ignition interlock device permit. This is available only if you are 21 or older with no prior DUI conviction in five years. A refusal that results in a lost administrative license hearing can block you from getting a limited permit. This can happen even after the criminal case concludes.

Drivers with a prior DUI conviction within five years are not eligible for either permit type during the administrative suspension. The stakes are higher for repeat offenders. It is critical to act within the 30-day window. Consult with an attorney about which path fits your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Go to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License in Georgia?

Yes, a person can go to jail for driving on a suspended license. A first conviction is a misdemeanor carrying two days to 12 months in jail. The court may probate the sentence. A second or third conviction within five years is a high and aggravated misdemeanor carrying ten days to 12 months in jail. A fourth conviction within five years is a felony with one to five years in prison.

What Are the Penalties for a 2nd Offense Driving on Suspended License in GA?

A second conviction within five years is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. The jail sentence ranges from ten days to 12 months. Ten days is the minimum the statute sets. The court may impose a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,500. DDS adds six months of additional suspension, and the reinstatement fee is $310 in person or $300 by mail.

How Many Days Do I Have to Request an ALS Hearing After a Georgia DUI?

You have 30 days from the date the officer personally served you with the notice of intent to suspend. This deadline is set by Georgia law. Missing it waives your right to a hearing. The suspension takes effect when the 45-day temporary permit expires.

What Happens if I Refuse the Breath or Blood Test in Georgia?

Refusing the state-administered chemical test results in a one-year administrative license suspension. A regular limited driving permit is not available after a refusal. However, if you are 21 or older and have no DUI conviction in the prior five years, you may apply for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit.

How Long Is My License Suspended After a First DUI Conviction in Georgia?

A first DUI conviction carries a 12-month license suspension. However, the driver may apply for early reinstatement after 120 days by completing the Risk Reduction Program and paying the reinstatement fee. A first per se ALS (test failure) allows reinstatement after 30 days. This may run concurrently with any later conviction suspension.