Habitual Violator

Two previous convictions of those offenses listed below and a conviction of the current charge of one of these violations before the court within a five year period will result in the defendant being an Habitual Violator (O.C.G.A. §40-5-58).  For example, 3 DUI convictions within a 5 year period could trigger a Habitual Violator suspension.

Convictions and/or nolo contendere pleas arising from a single incident or separate incidents to any three of the following violations within a 5-year period, as measured from date of arrest to date of arrest for which convictions were obtained, will cause the violator to be declared an Habitual Violator in accordance with O.C.G.A. §40-5-58:

• Homicide by Vehicle (1st Degree) as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-393 (a) or (b)
• Homicide by Vehicle (2nd Degree) as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-393 (c)
• Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used
• Hit & Run – Leaving the scene of an accident as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-270
• Racing on Highways or Streets as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-186
• Using a Motor Vehicle in Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-395
• Unlawful or Fraudulent Use of or Application for a License or ID Card as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-5-120, O.C.G.A. §40-5-125
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked, Canceled, or Suspended Registration as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-15
• Any felony forgery conviction if related to an identification document (§40-5-54)
• Driving Under the Influence, Child Endangerment while DUI as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-391; §40-6-391(l)
• Feticide by Vehicle (1st Degree) as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-393.1 (a) (1)
• Serious Injury by Vehicle as defined by O.C.G.A. §40-6-394

The process for reinstating a driver’s license in Georgia can be somewhat complex and unclear. This confusion is even more pronounced for out-of-state drivers.

Georgia Drivers

If you’re a Georgia driver dealing with a Failure to Appear (FTA) suspension, you’ll likely be informed by the DDS app that you owe a reinstatement fee, usually around $90. While the app allows for payment, your license won’t be reinstated until DDS receives the court-issued 912 paperwork. However, the court doesn’t directly send this document to the DDS. As a driver, you need to request this completed paperwork from the court and submit it to a local DDS branch.

Out-of-State Drivers

For out-of-state drivers, the procedure is similar. You need to request the 912 form from the court and then submit it to your own licensing authority. However, this can be tricky as licensing authorities from different states may not be familiar with Georgia’s 912 form. Each state has its own form for such situations, and Georgia’s is uniquely referred to as a 912 form.

Therefore, as an out-of-state driver, there’s nothing automatic about the reinstatement of your license, even after you’ve acquired the 912 form from the court. This is why we often assist our clients in managing this communication, to ensure a smoother license reinstatement process.

The law authorizing license suspension upon a missed court date is:

375-3-3-.12 Suspension of License for Failure to Appear

The Department shall suspend the driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state of any person who has failed to respond to a citation to appear before a court of competent jurisdiction of this state or of any other state for a traffic violation other than a parking violation. The Department shall forthwith notify such person that his license is to be suspended subject to review as provided for by law.

If your license was suspended for failure to appear you must:

(1) get a clearance letter from the court or a 912 license reinstatement form; and

(2) take the form to DDS along with the reinstatement fee.

For more information, you may contact DDS at 678-413-8400, or call our office to assist you in clearing an FTA status.

If you’re worried that your Georgia driver’s license may be suspended — or if you’ve just found out it is — you’re not alone. Every day, drivers across Georgia discover their license has been suspended without any warning. The good news? In most cases, you can take steps to resolve the issue and get back on the road.

This guide walks you through how to check your license status, the most common reasons for a suspension, and what to do next.

How to Check Your Georgia Driver’s License Status

There are three ways to find out if your Georgia license is suspended:

Check Online Through Georgia DDS

The fastest option. Visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services website at dds.georgia.gov and use their “Check License Status” tool. You’ll need:

• Your driver’s license number
• Your date of birth
• The last four digits of your Social Security number

The system will tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or canceled — and in many cases, it will tell you why.

Check by Phone

Call the Georgia Department of Driver Services directly:

• Metro Atlanta: (678) 413-8400 or (678) 413-8500
• Outside Metro Atlanta: (866) 754-3687

Be prepared to verify your identity with the same information listed above.

Check in Person

You can visit any Georgia DDS office with a valid form of identification. While this takes more time, it can be useful if you need to ask questions or handle paperwork on the spot.

Important: Make sure your current address is on file with DDS. Many drivers miss suspension notices simply because DDS mailed them to an old address. If you’ve moved recently, update your information as soon as possible.

Common Reasons Your Georgia License May Be Suspended

There are a number of reasons your Georgia license or driving privileges could be suspended. Here are the most common:

Failure to Appear (FTA) in Court

This is one of the most frequent causes we see — and it catches many drivers completely off guard. If you missed a traffic court date, even unintentionally, the court can report it to DDS and your license may be suspended as a result.

The frustrating part? You may not even realize you missed the court date until an officer pulls you over and tells you your license is suspended. At that point, you could be facing new charges for driving on a suspended license on top of the original ticket.

If you think your suspension is related to a missed court date, you can usually find out which court issued the FTA by checking your driving history at dds.georgia.gov. The court name should be listed under the suspension. From there, you’ll need to contact that court to begin the process of clearing your FTA.

→ Learn more about how to clear an FTA and get your license reinstated

Too Many Points on Your Record

Georgia uses a points system for traffic violations. If you’re 21 or older and accumulate 15 or more points within a 24-month period, DDS will suspend your license. Drivers under 21 face stricter rules — even a single four-point violation can trigger a suspension.

Common point values include:

• Speeding (15-18 mph over): 2 points
• Speeding (19-23 mph over): 3 points
• Speeding (24-33 mph over): 4 points
• Speeding (34+ mph over): 6 points
• Reckless driving: 4 points
• Following too closely: 3 points

If you’ve received multiple tickets in a short period, it’s worth checking your record. A traffic violation attorney can help you understand your options for reducing points or fighting tickets before they result in a suspension.

→ See the full Georgia points breakdown

Unpaid Traffic Tickets or Fines

If you received a traffic ticket and didn’t pay it by the deadline — even if you forgot about it — the court may have reported it to DDS. This can result in a suspension that stays in effect until you resolve the underlying ticket.

DUI Conviction or Refusal

A DUI arrest in Georgia triggers two separate processes: the criminal case and an administrative license suspension (ALS) through DDS. If you were arrested for DUI, you have only 30 days to request an ALS hearing or your license may be automatically suspended.

→ Learn about Georgia DUI license penalties and the 1205 notice

Failure to Maintain Insurance

Georgia law requires all drivers to maintain car insurance. If your insurance company reports a lapse in coverage, DDS can suspend your license and registration.

Other Reasons

Less common causes include being declared medically unfit to drive, failure to pay child support, and certain criminal convictions. If you’re unsure why your license was suspended, checking your driving history online or speaking with an attorney can help clarify the situation.

What to Do If Your License Is Suspended

Once you know your license is suspended, the next step depends on the reason for the suspension.

For FTA Suspensions

The first step is to contact the court that issued the FTA. You can usually find this information on your DDS driving history. In many cases, resolving the FTA is a matter of communicating with the court, paying an FTA fine, and completing the appropriate paperwork — including a 912 form — to have DDS lift the suspension.

The process varies from court to court. Some courts will require you to appear before a judge, especially if you’re handling it without an attorney. One of the benefits of hiring a lawyer is that in many cases, the attorney can have the FTA and bench warrant lifted without requiring you to appear in court.

For Points Suspensions

If your license was suspended due to point accumulation, you may be required to complete a defensive driving course and wait out the suspension period before you’re eligible for reinstatement. Contact DDS for the specific requirements tied to your suspension.

For DUI Suspensions

DUI-related suspensions involve a more complex process. You may need to navigate both the criminal case and the administrative suspension. If you’re within 30 days of your arrest, acting quickly is critical.

For All Suspensions

No matter the reason, you’ll generally need to:

1. Resolve the underlying issue with the court or relevant agency
2. Obtain a clearance letter or 912 form from the court (for FTA suspensions)
3. Pay the DDS reinstatement fee
4. Verify with DDS that your license is valid before you start driving again

That last step is important — don’t assume your license is reinstated just because you’ve taken the other steps. Confirm it directly with DDS.

If you’re an out-of-state driver, the process can be more complicated. Georgia’s 912 form may not be familiar to licensing authorities in other states, and there’s nothing automatic about the reinstatement even after you’ve acquired the form. We often assist out-of-state clients in managing this communication to ensure a smoother process.

Don’t Drive on a Suspended License

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth saying plainly: if your license is suspended, do not drive until it’s reinstated. Driving on a suspended license in Georgia is a misdemeanor that can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension period. And if an officer pulls you over, you could be arrested on the spot.

We understand how disruptive a license suspension can be. For most people, not being able to drive affects everything — your job, your family, your daily life. But the consequences of driving on a suspended license are almost always worse than the inconvenience of resolving the suspension properly.