How Many Points Is a DUI on Your License in Georgia?

How Georgia's Driver's License Point System Works

Many drivers ask the same thing: how many points on your license is a DUI in Georgia? The answer may surprise you. Points are not what drives the outcome. Instead, a DUI conviction suspends your license by operation of law, whatever your point total. Understanding why requires a closer look at how the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) tracks violations.

DDS assigns point values to moving violations. Speeding, reckless driving, and following too closely all carry points. Parking, equipment, size, and weight violations carry none. Points build up on your driving record over time. At 15 or more points in any consecutive 24 month period, DDS must suspend your license.

Different violations carry different point values. Georgia's point schedule assigns six points to aggressive driving and four to reckless driving. Speeding starts at two points for more than 14 miles per hour over the limit and reaches six points at 34 or more over. The schedule names the offenses that carry points, and DUI is not one of them.

A DUI charge follows a separate path entirely.

Does a Georgia DUI Add Points to Your Driving Record?

Georgia does not treat a DUI like a standard moving violation. A DUI conviction does not wait on a point total. Instead, the license is suspended by operation of law on conviction.

This surprises many drivers. People often expect a specific point number. But under Georgia's DUI statute, a conviction starts a separate process. DDS gets the conviction report and acts on the license directly. Georgia law governs license suspension after conviction.

The practical effect is more severe than points. Points build up over time. They may or may not lead to suspension. A DUI conviction leads to suspension by operation of law. The suspension length depends on how many convictions you have within five years. A refusal or a failed test drives the separate administrative suspension instead. Other case details matter too.

Confirm current suspension rules with a Georgia DUI attorney or DDS. Do not rely on general information alone.

What Happens to Your Driver's License After a Georgia DUI

A Georgia DUI arrest starts two separate license processes. Both can result in losing your driving privileges. Each operates on its own timeline.

The Administrative License Suspension

The first process begins at arrest – before any court conviction. Under Georgia's implied consent law, you agree to chemical testing when you drive on Georgia roads. Refusing the test carries a one-year license suspension. A first test result over the limit also carries a one-year suspension, with reinstatement possible after 30 days. For drivers 21 and older, the limit is 0.08 grams. For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.02 grams.

The arresting officer serves notice of administrative license suspension (ALS) on behalf of DDS. The officer takes your license and issues a 45-day temporary driving permit.

You have 30 days from the date of notice to request an ALS hearing. Submit a written request and a $150 filing fee to DDS. Missing this deadline means you waive your right to challenge the suspension. You can also waive the hearing by getting an ignition interlock device limited driving permit.

The Post-Conviction Suspension

The second process follows a court conviction. Under Georgia law, your license is suspended by operation of law upon conviction.

A first offense within five years carries a 12-month suspension for a driver 21 or older. You may apply for early reinstatement after 120 days. Complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program first. Pay a $210 restoration fee ($200 by mail).

A second conviction within five years brings a three-year suspension. You can seek reinstatement after 18 months. A third conviction within five years results in habitual violator status and license revocation. Drivers under 21 are on a separate track: a first conviction carries six months, or 12 months if the alcohol concentration was 0.08 grams or more, and a second within five years carries 18 months.

The administrative suspension counts toward the post-conviction suspension when both stem from the same arrest. The two suspensions run concurrently, not one after the other.

Because each situation differs, consult a Georgia DUI attorney to understand your exact license status.

How a DUI Conviction Affects Your Driving Record and Insurance

Even though points are not the mechanism for a Georgia DUI, its impact on your driving record is significant. DDS keeps the conviction on the driving record it maintains for you. Insurers can obtain it for rating and underwriting, and other requesters generally need your written consent.

The practical consequences include:

• Insurance premium increases. Insurers view a DUI conviction as a serious risk factor. Substantial rate increases are common. Some carriers may cancel coverage entirely.
• Insurer access to your record. For rating, an insurer's agent may pull the number of DUI violations on your record from the preceding three or five years. Your driving record carries financial responsibility information as well.
• CDL holders face stricter rules. Commercial drivers face a lower BAC threshold of 0.04 grams. A refusal, or a result of 0.04 grams or more, disqualifies you from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a minimum of one year.
• Employment impact. Jobs that require driving become harder to obtain or keep with a DUI on your record.

Charges often filed with a DUI – such as reckless driving or speeding – do carry defined DDS point values. These charges can compound your license exposure beyond the DUI suspension itself.

Can You Reduce or Avoid the License Consequences of a DUI?

Several defense strategies may help protect your driving privileges after a Georgia DUI arrest. None is guaranteed. Each depends on the specific facts of your case.

• Challenge the stop and arrest. Whether the officer had reasonable grounds to believe you were driving under the influence, and whether the arrest was lawful, is one issue an ALS hearing decides.
• Challenge the chemical test. Breath testing instruments must meet specific calibration and operational standards. Test results from improperly maintained equipment may be challenged at an ALS hearing or in court.
• Request the ALS hearing promptly. File a timely hearing request within 30 days to preserve your right to challenge the administrative suspension. If the hearing is not held before your temporary permit expires and the delay is not your fault, the suspension is stayed until the hearing occurs.
• Elect an ignition interlock device permit. Georgia law offers this to drivers with no DUI conviction in the previous five years, but not to drivers under 21 or CDL holders. Apply within 30 days of the suspension notice. This permit allows limited driving during the suspension period.
• Negotiate a reduced charge. Where the facts support it, a DUI charge may be reduced to reckless driving or another offense. A reduced charge may avoid the automatic license suspension that follows a DUI conviction.
• Complete a DUI Risk Reduction Program. This program is required for license reinstatement after a DUI conviction or administrative suspension. Completing it promptly positions you for the earliest possible reinstatement.

The window to protect your driving privileges is short. Act within the first 30 days after arrest. A Georgia DUI defense attorney can evaluate your case. They can advise on the options available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About DUIs and License Points in Georgia

How Many Points Does a DUI Put on Your License in Georgia?

Georgia's point schedule does not name DUI among the offenses that carry points. Instead, a conviction suspends your license by operation of law. The consequence is more severe than points because the suspension does not wait on a point total.

How Many Points Do You Get for DUI in Georgia?

Georgia's point schedule sets no point value for DUI by name. The state handles DUI convictions through license suspension by operation of law rather than the point system used for other moving violations. A first conviction within five years carries a 12-month suspension.

Will a DUI Conviction Suspend My Georgia Driver's License?

Yes, a DUI conviction results in license suspension by operation of law. The suspension length depends on how many convictions you have within five years. A first conviction carries 12 months, a second within five years three years, and a third habitual violator status.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record in Georgia?

A DUI conviction generally remains on your Georgia driving record maintained by DDS. For rating, an insurer's agent may pull the number of DUI violations from the preceding three or five years. Other requesters generally need your written consent to obtain the record. Verify current record retention policies with DDS.

Can I Still Drive After a DUI Arrest in Georgia?

You may be able to drive on a temporary basis. The arresting officer issues a 45-day temporary driving permit at arrest. You may also apply for a limited driving permit or an ignition interlock device limited driving permit depending on your eligibility. An attorney can help you understand your options within required deadlines.

Talk to a Georgia DUI Defense Attorney About Your License

A Georgia DUI arrest starts two separate clocks. The administrative clock gives you just 30 days to act on your license. The criminal clock moves toward a conviction. That conviction carries its own suspension. Waiting on either front can mean losing the chance to challenge the suspension or protect your driving privileges.

William C. Head, PC focuses on Georgia DUI defense. The firm is familiar with Atlanta – area courts and DDS administrative hearing procedures. Contact Bubba Head Atlanta DUI for a free consultation. Discuss your arrest, your license status, and your defense options.

Call or submit a contact form today. The sooner you act, the more options you may have to protect your license and fight the charge.