REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN

There are a variety of reasons why your Georgia driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Georgia driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Georgia operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 15 or more points within a 2-year period on your current driver record, your license will be suspended. If your driver’s license is suspended for accumulating points, you must complete a defensive driving course approved by the DDS before it can be reinstated. Your driver’s license will remain suspended until you complete an approved defensive driving course.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your Georgia driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If you refuse to take a blood/alcohol test, your license can be suspended for up to 1 year.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving. Driving with a suspended, revoked or cancelled license will increase the suspension term by 6 months.
• Driving without Insurance/ Registration: All motor vehicles driven in Georgia must be properly insured and have a valid registration. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended for either 60 or 90 days.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Georgia driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, racing, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Department of Driver Services Chief Administrator can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.

Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Department of Driver Services notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; committing felony forgery of a license or ID, fraudulently using or applying for a driver’s license, and not paying child support.

• Other reason include: a homicide involving a vehicle, a felony involving a vehicle, fleeing from a police officer, fleeing the scene of an accident, and being convicted of possession, distribution or sale or transfer of drugs.

DRIVERS UNDER 21 – REASONS FOR SUSPENSION:

• Fleeing the scene of an accident.
• Using a motor vehicle to get away from an officer.
• Reckless driving.
• Purchasing liquor.
• Aggressive driving.
• Falsifying age to purchase liquor or obtain it illegally.
• If under 18, and accumulated 4 or more points in 1 year.

REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE REVOCATION IN GEORGIA

• You have a mental, physical or any medical disability that prevents you from driving correctly, or if you are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
• If you refuse to retake another driving test or written exam after being instructed by the DDS.
• If you are declared a Habitual Violator: (You receive a 3rd conviction within 5 years, for a violation that carries a mandatory suspension.) This will result in your license be revoked for 5 years.

If you believe your license has been suspended/revoked due to one of the reasons listed above it is advisable to speak with a Traffic Ticket Attorney or DUI Attorney.

CHECK YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE

Completing an approved defensive driving course will remove up to 7 points from your driving record. You may also be able to dismiss traffic tickets. You are only eligible for point reduction 1 time every 5 years. Once you complete the course, you can request a reduction by mailing your defensive driving course certificate of completion to:

Georgia Department of Driver Services

P.O. Box 80447

Conyers, GA 30013

See our “Reinstate Your Georgia Driver’s License” section below for the additional steps to getting back your driver’s license.

ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR GEORGIA DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. Things to be aware of following a license suspension:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You can surrender your license in person at a Driver License office, or mail it to:

Department of Driver Services

P.O. Box 80447

Conyers, Georgia 30013

• While your license is suspended you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Georgia DDS.
• You may also apply for a Limited Driving Permit. This permit allows you to drive to work, to a hospital, to attend classes or a driving program, or to drive to an ignition interlock center.

GEORGIA HARDSHIP LICENSE

A limited driving permit, also called a hardship license, gives drivers with suspended GA driver’s licenses limited driving privileges. A limited driving permit lets you drive to and from:

• Your job (or to locations you must visit to perform your job duties).
• Your school (must be currently enrolled).
• Medical appointments.
• Alcohol and drug treatment programs.
• Defensive driving or DUI classes.

NOTE: If you are convicted of violating state or local law, or being in violation of your permit restrictions, your license will be suspended for another 6 months.

Limited driving permits are NOT available to all suspended drivers, and they are issued at the discretion of the DDS. Call the DDS at 678-413-8400 for more information and to see if you are eligible for a hardship license.

Limited Driving Permit Fees:

• Limited permit: $25.
• Renewal of limited permit: $5.
• Duplicated permit: $20.

You can pay via: Cash, Check, Money Order, Debit Card, or Major Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).

GEORGIA SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If you receive a Notice of Scheduled Suspension from the DDS, and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. You must submit a Hearing Requests in order to appeal a suspension. This request must be received or postmarked within 10 days of the date that the suspension becomes effective. An administrative law judge or the DDS Chief Administrator will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended or not. You are subject to a fee for appeals of certain suspension types:

• DUI suspension: $150.
• Implied consent suspension: $150.
• Limited permit revocation: $250.

The GA DDS outlines the full requirements for hearing requests on their website.

In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program will remove 3 points from your current driving record, and in some cases, enable you to avoid having a license suspension.

REINSTATE YOUR GEORGIA DRIVER’S LICENSE

You will receive a Notice of Restoration from the DDS after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back.

To pay your reinstatement fee:

BY MAIL

send the following:

• Your Official Notice of Suspension. If you did not receive a notice, provide your: Full Name, Date of Birth, Driver’s License Number, Address, Social Security Number.
• All relevant documentation, such as a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Certificate.
• Full payment of the fee by: Check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to “Georgia Department of Driver Services”, 
OR Credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) by completing and including the Credit Card Payment Authorization Form.
• Send your payment and documents to:

Department of Driver Services (DDS)
Validation Unit

Post Office Box 80447

Conyers, GA 30013

ONLINE 

You can pay your reinstatement fees online ONLY if your license was suspended for Failure to Appear or Super Speeder (suspension for driving 75 mph or more on a road with 2 lanes, or 85 mph or more on any road). The online reinstatement can be completed on the DDS Limited Services Fee Payment page. You will need:

• The Transaction Identifier on the Official Notice of Suspension.
• Your Driver’s License Number.
• Your Date of Birth.
• A valid Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).

IN PERSON

(All locations are closed on Mondays)

When paying your reinstatement fee in person at a DDS service center, you will need to bring:

• Proof of ID – such as a valid U.S. Passport, or original/certified copy of your Birth Certificate. The GA DDS provides a full list of accepted identification.
• Your Reinstatement Documents – your Official Notice of Suspension and any other required documents.
• Accepted Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Debit Card, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). The check can be business or personal, but must have your name (or business name) and address pre-printed on it.

For more information on reinstatement, contact the DDS either by calling (678) 413 8400 or toll free (866) 754 3687. Alternatively, you can contact one of the DDS Customer Service Center that offer full reinstatement.

Note: After your license is restored, you will be subject to a Mandatory Probation Period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Georgia Driver’s License.

REINSTATEMENT FEES:

(By mail or online. If paying in person add $10)

• DUI (1st offense – over 21 years old) – $200
• Failure to show proof of insurance (1st offense) – $200
• Failure to show proof of insurance (2nd offense) – $300
• Points violation (1st offense) – $200
• Points violation (2nd offense) – $300
• Points violation (3rd offense) – $400
• Failure to pay child support – $25
• Failure to appear – $90. (Online – only available for Failure to Appear & Super Speeder).
• Super Speeder – $200 Super Speeder fee + $50. (Online – only available for Failure to Appear & Super Speeder).

NOTE: These fees DO NOT include fines, court fees, driving course fees, or application fees that may also be required for your reinstatement.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN GEORGIA

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you are subject to both the rules and penalties of the state of Georgia as well as Federal regulations and penalties set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

If you commit a violation, your driver’s license can be suspended and you can be disqualified from having a CDL even if you are driving your personal car when you commit the violation. All states share information about CDL holders, so information about violations and suspensions from other states will be available to the Georgia DDS.

NOTE: If your CDL is suspended, revoked, or canceled, you are required to notify your employer within 2 business days.

If you are convicted of a traffic violation (except parking violations), you must notify your employer within 30 days (and the GA DDS within 30 days if you are convicted outside of GA).

REASONS FOR CDL SUSPENSIONS IN GEORGIA

• Multiple Serious Traffic Violations: such as excessive speeding, reckless driving, or failing to have your CDL while driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), will result in at least 60 days suspension for 2 violations within 3 years or at least 120 days for 3 violations or more.
• Major Traffic Violations: such as hit-and-run in any vehicle, racing in any vehicle, negligent CMV operation resulting in a fatality, will result in 1 year suspension for 1st offense,
  • (3 years if transporting hazardous materials), OR a Lifetime Suspension for a 2nd offense.
• Railroad Crossing Violations: such as failing to stop when tracks aren’t clear or before driving onto the crossing, failure to slow down to check that railroad tracks are clear, or failure to cross because of insufficient undercarriage clearance. This will result in at least 60 days suspension for your 1st offense, at least 120 days for your 2nd offense within 3 years, and at least 1 year for your 3^rd offense (and subsequent offenses) within 3 years.
• Out-Of-Service Order Violations: primarily failing to take required breaks or rest periods. This will result in at least 180 days suspension for your 1st offense, at least 2 years for your 2nd offense, and at least 3 years for your 3^rd offense (and subsequent offenses).
• Failure to Appear in Court or Pay Child Support: suspensions last until the issue is resolved and the DDS is notified of the resolution.
• Failure to Show Proof of Insurance.
• Driving with a Suspended CDL: If you drive with a suspended CDL, your license will be suspended for at least 1 year for your 1st offense (at least 3 years if transporting hazardous materials) OR for LIFE for a 2nd offense of a major traffic violation, such as: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, refusing to take an alcohol test, hit-and-run, racing, negligent CMV operation resulting in a fatality.
• DUI/DWI: Driving a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher, driving any vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or refusing to take a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test. Your license will be suspended for at least 1 year for a 1st offense (at least 3 years if transporting hazardous materials) OR for LIFE for a 2nd offense. In addition, if you are caught driving a CMV with a detectable BAC of less than 0.04%, you will be required to be out of service for 24 hours.
• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Georgia operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. You can have your CDL suspended for violation points accumulated against your non-commercial driver’s license. In addition to suspensions for specific violations, your non-commercial Georgia driver license will also be suspended by the DPS if you accumulate 15 points within 24 months.

NOTE: These penalties do NOT include criminal sentencing, which may carry additional suspensions, fines, and/or jail time.

POINTS REDUCTION

You can request a reduction of up to 7 points every 5 years by completing a defensive driving course approved by the Georgia DDS. To request a point reduction, you must mail your Defensive Driving Course Certificate of Completion to:

Georgia Department of Driver Services

P.O. Box 80447

Conyers, GA 30013

Alternatively, you can reduce your fine and avoid points by completing an approved defensive driving course before your court date and presenting the certificate of completion in court. You can use this option only once every 5 years.

GEORGIA HARDSHIP LICENSE

A hardship license, also called a Limited Driving Permit in Georgia, allows suspended drivers to drive for specific reasons, including:

• Work or school.
• Medical appointments.
• Treatment programs, driver’s education, or court hearings.

A hardship license does NOT allow you to drive a CMV. You may only operate a non-commercial vehicle. Limited driving permits are ONLY available to drivers suspended for certain violations.

Please visit the DDS Drivers Manual for a complete list of eligible violations for a limited driving permit. Restricted licenses are issued at the discretion of the DDS. Call the DDS at 678-413-8400 for more information.

GEORGIA CDL SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If the DDS suspends your license, you have the right to appeal the suspension. The appeal is ONLY meant to determine if your driver’s license was suspended legally. You must request an appeal in writing within 10 days of the date the suspension becomes effective. If you are appealing a suspension for DUI or for refusing a BAC test, you must include a $150 filing fee.

REINSTATE YOUR GEORGIA CDL 

You will have to pay a fee to reinstate your Georgia CDL. In addition, you may also be required to reapply for your CDL, retake licensing tests, and/or complete an approved DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (RRP).

While the DDS doesn’t specify CDL reinstatement fees, often your CDL is suspended when your non-commercial driver’s license is also suspended. Reinstatement fees are based on the reason your license was suspended. See above for reinstatement fees.

There are other reasons your license may have been suspended, for which your fee may differ from those listed above. You may also have to pay additional fines and fees for your commercial license suspension.

Please contact the Georgia DDS or your local court to determine what fees are assessed for your commercial license reinstatement.

NOTE: In addition to a reinstatement fee, you may also have to pay State and/or Federal fines, Court fees, Course fees, Testing fees and/or Application fees.