Driving Point System

How Many Points Do You Get for Speeding in Georgia?

In Georgia, a speeding ticket adds 0 to 6 demerit points to your license. The number of points depends on how fast you were driving over the posted limit. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) assigns points based on tiers set by state law. Here is how many points you get for speeding at each level:

• Less than 15 mph over the limit – 0 points
• 15 to 18 mph over the limit – 2 points
• 19 to 23 mph over the limit – 3 points
• 24 to 33 mph over the limit – 4 points
• 34 mph or more over the limit – 6 points

Georgia's maximum speed limits vary by road type. Urban and residential streets carry a 30 mph limit, interstate highways allow 70 mph, and most other roads default to 55 mph. The points assessment schedule governs how the DDS records each conviction.

Not every citation carries points. Georgia assesses no points for equipment violations. A burned-out bulb is treated differently – see can you get a ticket for having a headlight out for how those stops and tickets work. A conviction for driving too fast for conditions also carries zero points. The driver still faces fines and a mark on their record.

How Georgia Reports Speeding Tickets to Other States

Georgia shares traffic conviction data with other states through interstate driver record reporting. When an out-of-state driver is convicted of speeding in Georgia, the DDS reports the conviction to the driver's home-state licensing agency. The home state may then treat the conviction under its own rules and assign its own point values. Georgia does the same in reverse: state law directs the DDS to assess points for offenses committed in other states that would be grounds for assessment here.

Ignoring a Georgia citation makes the situation worse. Failure to appear triggers a notice to the home state. The home state may then suspend the driver's license until the Georgia case is resolved. Drivers who receive a Georgia speeding ticket should consult an attorney. Do not assume the ticket will not follow them home.

Georgia Point System Limits and License Suspension

The Georgia point system assigns 0 to 6 points per offense. Points accumulate over a rolling 24-month window measured from arrest date to arrest date. An adult driver who reaches 15 points within any consecutive 24-month period faces a mandatory license suspension.

Drivers can check their current point total through the Georgia DDS Online Services portal before deciding whether to contest a ticket.

Suspension Thresholds

For adult drivers, the first suspension lasts one year. Early reinstatement may be available after meeting certain requirements. A second 15-point suspension within five years carries a three-year suspension period. A third suspension within five years results in a two-year suspension with no eligibility for a limited driving permit during that time.

Drivers under 21 face a stricter standard. A single conviction carrying 4 or more points – such as speeding 24 mph or more over the limit – suspends an under-21 driver's license by operation of law. For a driver under 18, accumulating 4 or more points in any consecutive 12-month period also triggers suspension. On a first such suspension, the driver may apply for reinstatement after six months.

Point Values for Common Non-Speeding Violations

Speeding is not the only offense that adds points. Under Georgia law, the following points are assigned for other common moving violations:

• Aggressive driving – 6 points
• Reckless driving – 4 points
• Improper passing on a hill or curve – 4 points
• Following too closely – 3 points
• Disobedience of a traffic-control device or traffic officer – 3 points
• All other moving violations (non-speed) – 3 points
• Open container while driving – 2 points
• Failure to secure a load resulting in an accident – 2 points
• Child safety restraint violation (first offense) – 1 point

How to Reduce Points

Georgia law allows drivers to attend an approved defensive driving course. This option helps drivers avoid having points placed on their record. A court may order the course or accept proof that the driver completed a driver improvement clinic before the court date. When this happens, the court reduces the fine by 20 percent. The DDS records zero points for that offense.

This option is available once every five years. The five-year period is measured from arrest date to arrest date. A second nolo contendere plea within five years counts as a conviction for point purposes.

Super Speeder vs. Point Suspension

Two different suspension triggers exist under Georgia law. The 15-point accumulation suspension applies to total points across all offenses. The Super Speeder suspension is a separate penalty. It is tied to a single high-speed conviction and nonpayment of the two hundred dollar state fee. Both can apply at the same time.

Points by MPH Over the Speed Limit

Speeding citation points turn on the exact number of miles per hour over the posted speed limit. That same number also drives the potential penalties. Here is how common scenarios break down in Georgia:

• 14 mph over the limit – 0 points. This is still a moving violation that appears on your driving record. It may affect insurance rates. Georgia assigns no demerit points for speeds less than 15 mph over.
• 15 mph over the limit – 2 points. This is the lowest tier that triggers point assessment. A 17 over speeding ticket also falls in this range and carries 2 points.
• 19 over speeding ticket – 3 points. Speeds of 19 to 23 mph over the limit move into the 3-point tier. Courts and solicitors often see this as the threshold where negotiating a reduction becomes more important.
• 27 over speeding ticket – 4 points. Speeds of 24 to 33 mph over fall in the 4-point range. A 30 over speeding ticket also carries 4 points. The driver may qualify as a Super Speeder depending on the road and actual speed.
• 34 mph or more over the limit – 6 points. This is the maximum point assessment for any single speeding offense.

Worked Example: 70 in a 45 Speeding Ticket

A driver caught going 70 mph in a 45 mph zone is traveling 25 mph over the posted limit. That falls in the 24-to-33-mph-over tier. This means 4 points on the Georgia driving record. The actual speed is below 75 mph on a two-lane road and below 85 mph overall. The Super Speeder designation would not apply. However, a 70 in a 45 speeding ticket still carries significant fines. Fines vary by county and court.

Super Speeder Points and Penalties

Under Georgia law, a driver convicted of driving 85 miles per hour or more on any road is classified as a super speeder. A driver traveling 75 mph or more on a two-lane road is also classified as a super speeder. This designation adds a two hundred dollar state fee on top of whatever fine the local court imposes.

The Super Speeder label does not add separate demerit points. The points come from the underlying speeding conviction. They are based on how far over the limit the driver was traveling. However, the financial consequences stack. A driver going 90 in a 65 is 25 mph over the limit. This driver faces 4 points plus the two hundred dollar Super Speeder fee plus the local court fine.

The DDS mails notice of the Super Speeder fee within 30 days of receiving the conviction. Failure to pay within 90 days of that notice triggers an automatic license suspension. An additional fifty dollar reinstatement fee also applies. Many drivers do not realize the fee exists until their license is already suspended.

A driver going 85 in a 55 on a two-lane road would face the same Super Speeder classification. That speed is 30 mph over the limit. It carries 4 points plus the two hundred dollar fee. Depending on circumstances, the court fine for that speed range may also be substantial.

How a Speeding Ticket Affects Your Insurance and License

A Georgia speeding conviction stays on your driving record permanently. Points count toward the 15-point suspension threshold only for 24 months from the arrest date. Insurance companies may look back three to five years when setting premiums.

The impact on insurance rates depends on the carrier and the severity of the ticket. A zero-point conviction for going 14 mph over may cause a modest increase. A 4-point or 6-point conviction often leads to a much larger premium jump. The increase lasts for multiple renewal cycles. Some carriers treat a Super Speeder conviction as a major violation. It is rated similarly to reckless driving.

CDL Holders Face Stricter Rules

Commercial driver's license holders face stricter rules, and Georgia's point system also applies. A speeding conviction of 15 mph or more over the posted limit is a serious traffic violation, whether the driver was in a commercial vehicle or a personal vehicle. Two serious violations from separate incidents within three years result in a CDL disqualification of at least 60 days. A third within three years triggers a disqualification of at least 120 days. Georgia's commercial driver's license law sets these disqualification periods, tracking the federal standard.

Nolo Contendere Pleas

Georgia treats a second or subsequent nolo contendere (no contest) plea within five years as a conviction for point purposes, so the plea keeps points off a driving record only once in a five-year period. When the court accepts a nolo plea that is not counted as a conviction, no points are assigned for that offense. This can be a strategic option for drivers who are close to the 15-point threshold. It is also useful for drivers who want to minimize insurance impact. An attorney can advise whether a nolo plea is the best approach. The attorney considers the driver's record and the specific charge.

How a Georgia Speeding Ticket Lawyer Can Help Reduce Points

A traffic defense attorney can pursue several strategies to reduce or eliminate the points from a Georgia speeding conviction.

Negotiating a Reduced Charge

Solicitors in many Georgia courts will consider reducing a higher-point speeding charge to a lower-point offense. This typically happens before arraignment. For example, a 4-point charge for going 27 over may be negotiable down to a 2-point or zero-point violation. The strength of the negotiation depends on the driver's record, the court, and the circumstances of the stop.

Challenging the Speed Detection Method

Georgia law requires counties and municipalities to hold a valid speed detection device permit from the Department of Public Safety. This is required before using radar or lidar. The officer operating the device must be certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. If the permit is expired, the device was not properly calibrated, or the officer lacked certification, the speed reading may be challenged.

Under Georgia law, if the DDS commissioner determines that a county or municipality operated a radar device in violation of the speed detection device chapter and suspends or revokes that agency's radar permit, any points assessed from citations during that period must be deducted. The citation must also be removed from the driver's record.

Using the Defensive Driving Course Option

As noted above, completing an approved defensive driving course can result in zero points and a 20 percent fine reduction. An attorney can help determine whether this option is available. The attorney considers the driver's history and timing of prior use.

Identifying Procedural Defects

Speeding tickets can be dismissed for procedural errors. These errors include incorrect court dates, missing information on the citation, or violations of local ordinances governing traffic enforcement. An experienced traffic attorney reviews every detail of the traffic citation and the stop. The attorney recommends a strategy based on this review.

Speak With a Georgia Speeding Ticket Attorney

A Georgia speeding conviction – especially at 15 mph or more over the posted limit – can raise insurance premiums for three or more years. Accumulated points may push you toward a suspension of your driving privileges. Super Speeder fees stack on top of court fines and create a second suspension risk if left unpaid.

Kohn & Yager LLC offers a free consultation to review your citation. We examine the mph charged, the court handling your case, and your driving history. Court dates in Georgia come fast. Addressing the ticket before your arraignment date gives an attorney more room to negotiate a reduction or pursue a dismissal.

The firm handles speeding tickets and other traffic violation cases statewide across Georgia's municipal and state courts. Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts. A qualified traffic defense attorney may be able to reduce points, avoid a Super Speeder designation, or identify a viable challenge to the citation.

Contact Kohn & Yager LLC for a free consultation about your Georgia speeding ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Points Is a Speeding Ticket in Georgia?

The number of points you receive depends on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeds less than 15 mph over carry 0 points. The scale increases from 2 points at 15-18 mph over, up to 6 points at 34 mph or more over the posted limit. The DDS assigns points based on the conviction, not the citation itself.

What Is the Fine for Going 30 mph Over the Speed Limit in Georgia?

Georgia does not set a single statewide fine amount for speeding. Fines vary by county and municipal court. A 30 over speeding ticket carries 4 demerit points. It may also trigger the two hundred dollar Super Speeder fee. The fee applies if the actual speed was 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or 85 mph or more on any road.

Will I Lose My License for Speeding in Georgia?

A single speeding ticket typically will not cause a license suspension for an adult driver, though adult drivers near 15 accumulated points may face suspension. For a driver under 21, one conviction carrying 4 or more points – 24 mph or more over the limit – suspends the license by operation of law. However, failing to pay a Super Speeder fee within 90 days of the DDS notice will result in an automatic suspension. This applies regardless of your total points.

How Many Points Do You Get for a 19 Over Speeding Ticket in Georgia?

A 19 over speeding ticket in Georgia carries 3 demerit points. This falls in the 19-to-23 mph over tier. An attorney may be able to negotiate a reduction to a lower-point charge depending on the court and your driving record.

Can a Lawyer Get Points Removed From My Georgia Driving Record?

Points already assessed from a prior conviction generally cannot be removed, apart from narrow statutory exceptions such as citations written with a radar device the agency had no valid permit to use. However, a lawyer can help you avoid points on a pending ticket. The attorney can negotiate a charge reduction, pursue a nolo contendere plea (which keeps points off only once in a five-year period), or arrange completion of a defensive driving course. Completion results in zero points being recorded.