, there are a number of offenses that can result in your license being suspended or revoked, such as failing to appear in court, driving under the influence, or not having valid proof of insurance. If you’re caught driving with a suspended license, you face up to a $1,000 fine and 12 months in prison.

The severity of your offense may determine whether your license is suspended or revoked.
A license suspension refers to a temporary loss of driving privileges, while license revocation is more serious—and more permanent.
Driving violations aren’t the only way you could end up with a suspended license—for example, a suspended license is a possible consequence for failure to pay child support.
You can check your license status online via the Department of Driver Services (DDS) website.

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Everything you need to know about your Georgia driver’s license

The difference between a license suspension and revocation

When an individual commits a traffic violation or legal offense, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) has the power to suspend or revoke their license.

This means that their driver’s license is no longer valid, and they cannot legally operate a motor vehicle. But there are distinctions between a suspension and revocation, so here’s what you should know about both:

A license suspension is a temporary loss of driving privileges that are reinstated after a designated period of time.

A license revocation is generally reserved for more serious offenses. It results in the permanent removal of driving privileges

Georgia laws state that in certain situations, you may be granted a limited driving permit for a fee during the period of your license suspension. However, this permit does set restrictions on where and when you can drive. The Georgia DDS website has more information on

limited permits

What can your license be suspended for in Georgia?

There are a number of offenses that can result in the Georgia DDS suspending or revoking your license. Here are some of the

most common reasons:

1. Super Speeding

If you’re caught driving over 75 mph on a two-lane road or highway, or 85 mph and over on any highway or road, you’re classified as a

Georgia Super Speeder

. Even if you’re not be pulled over by law enforcement, you will find a $200 Super Speeder ticket in your mailbox. Once your driving privileges are suspended, you can expect a second letter.

Once the ticket is issued, you will have 120 days to pay the fee. Failure to pay can result in a license suspension, and you’ll have to pay any applicable fees to get a reinstatement.

2. Failing to make your child support payments

If you’re liable for child support payments and you fail to make them, Georgia law upholds license suspensions. Driver’s license suspensions for failed child support are done via electronic notifications to the DDS from the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS).

The non-custodial parent will be notified about the suspension and granted a grace period to make the payments before the suspension is put into place. If non-compliant, the suspension period will remain in place indefinitely until the non-custodial parent agrees to comply with their child support obligations.

3. Driving under the influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a major danger to both pedestrians and drivers.

Any driver aged 21 or older with a

DUI conviction in Georgia

is subject to a license suspension or revocation or non-resident driving privileges for anywhere from 120 days to 5 years depending on their driving record. The consequences for subsequent offenses become increasingly more severe.

Here are the penalties in the state of Georgia for a DUI:

	First offense	Second offense	Third offense
Jail time	10 days to 12 months	90 days to 12 months	120 days to 12 months
Fines	$300 to $1,000	$600 to $1,000	$1,000 to $5,000
Community service	20 hours (40 hours if BAC >0.08%)	30 days minimum	30 days minimum

4. Failing to appear in court

Failure to appear for your court date or pay your traffic citation can result in a license suspension or bench warrant. However, some courts will allow a grace period of 7 to 30 days until the court issues a suspension or bench warrant. The driver’s license suspension will go into effect 28 days after the DDS receives notice that you did not appear in court.

Once the fee is paid and the release is received, your driving privileges will be reinstated.

5. Driving without valid insurance

If you’re stopped by law enforcement and can’t provide proof of valid

auto insurance

, you could be subject to a license suspension. In Georgia, all drivers are required to have minimum

liability insurance

If you can’t provide proof of insurance, your license will be suspended and you could be charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $200 to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both.

6. Accumulating too many driving points

Accumulation of driving points is a big no-no—racking up too many traffic tickets could cause you to end up having your license suspended.

There are a number of convictions that can lead to

driver’s license points

, including failure to obey a traffic light or signal, improper lane use, or improper passing of a vehicle. The Georgia DDS website outlines the full

points schedule

Your license can be suspended if you:

Accumulate 15 or more points within 24 months

Are under 18 and accumulate 4 points within 12 months

Are under 21 and are convicted of a 4-point violation

7. Attempting to flee or elude a police officer

If a police officer pulls you over, you must immediately come to a safe stop. Evading law enforcement or failing to comply with a signaled stop can lead to severe consequences.

In Georgia, it carries a fine of $500 to $5,000 and possible jail time from 10 days to 12 months. A subsequent conviction within 10 years can land you a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, 30 days to 12 months in jail, or both.

8. Being involved in a hit and run

Leaving the scene of an accident, or a hit-and-run, is a felony offense in Georgia and can carry a potential license suspension. Penalties for a first-time hit-and-run offense causing minor injury or damage include a mandatory license suspension, a fine of anywhere from $300 to $1,000, and possible imprisonment for up to 12 months.

9. Being deemed unfit to drive

All drivers must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle before they are allowed to hit the road. If you’re deemed physically or mentally unfit to drive, the Georgia DDS can suspend or revoke your license for 30 days. In order to reinstate driving privileges, you will have to undergo a

medical review

10. Refusing a breathalyzer test

If you’re a driver in Georgia, you’re legally subject to what’s called implied consent. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test if pulled over by law enforcement is a violation of implied consent and can land you a one-year license suspension.