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Georgia driving lesson · Teen Driving Laws

Teen suspensions

A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Teen Driving Laws
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
28, 47, 49

Georgia is strict with young drivers. Certain convictions suspend the license of anyone under 21, and a driver under 18 can lose their license just for piling up points. DUI penalties for young drivers are especially tough.

Suspension for drivers under 21 (offenses below)

Suspension for drivers under 21 (offenses below)
ConvictionSuspension
1st6 months
2nd or later12 months
Handbook p. 28 ↗

Offenses that trigger it for drivers under 21:

  • Hit and run or leaving the scene of a crash
  • Racing on highways or streets
  • Fleeing or attempting to elude an officer
  • Reckless driving or aggressive driving
  • Any 4+ point offense: passing a stopped school bus, improper passing on a hill or curve
  • Speeding 24 mph or more over the limit (a 4+ point offense)
  • Accumulating 4 or more points in any 12 months while under 18
Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

A limited permit may be available only if the suspension came from speeding 24 to 33 mph over the limit and the driver is at least 18.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

First DUI suspension for drivers under 21

First DUI suspension for drivers under 21
SituationMinimum suspension
BAC .02 to under .08, test suppressed, or no test6 months
Same, with a prior conviction from the list above12 months
BAC .08 or more, or refused testing12 months
Second DUI18 months (interlock permit after 120 days)
Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

No limited driving permit is available for a first DUI suspension under this section.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

A plea of nolo contendere counts as a conviction for suspensions that apply to drivers under 21.

Handbook p. 49 ↗

Know the rule

For drivers 18 up to 21, a suspension for a single 4-point offense is based on the date of the conviction.

Handbook p. 49 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 17. You get a 3-point ticket in March and a 2-point ticket in October. That's 5 points within 12 months while under 18, so your license is suspended.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the license suspension for a driver under 21's first conviction of racing, reckless driving, or hit-and-run?
  1. 18 months
  2. 12 months
  3. 3 months
  4. 6 months

Answer: 6 months

A first conviction of these listed offenses results in a six-month suspension for drivers under 21.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
What is the license suspension for a driver under 21's second conviction of the same category of offense?
  1. 12 months
  2. 24 months
  3. 18 months
  4. 6 months, same as the first

Answer: 12 months

A second or subsequent conviction of these offenses results in a twelve-month suspension.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
A driver under 18 is subject to license suspension after accumulating how many points within a 12-month period?
  1. 15 or more points
  2. 2 or more points
  3. 4 or more points
  4. 8 or more points

Answer: 4 or more points

Drivers under 18 face suspension after accumulating 4 or more points within any 12-month period.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
If a driver under 21 has a BAC between .02 and .08 on a first DUI offense, what is the minimum suspension?
  1. 3 months
  2. 6 months
  3. No suspension if under .08
  4. 12 months

Answer: 6 months

A BAC of .02 to just under .08 on a first offense results in a minimum 6-month suspension (12 months if there's a prior offense).

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Which offense is specifically listed as resulting in suspension for a driver under 21 as a 'four-point offense'?
  1. Parking too close to a fire hydrant
  2. Exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph
  3. Failing to signal a lane change
  4. Speeding by 24 mph or more

Answer: Speeding by 24 mph or more

Speeding 24 mph or more over the limit is listed as a four-point offense that triggers suspension for drivers under 21.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
For a driver under 21, how does a first DUI suspension with a BAC of .02 to under .08 compare with one at .08 or greater?
  1. 12 months for both
  2. 12 months vs. 6 months
  3. 6 months for both
  4. 6 months (12 with a prior) vs. 12 months

Answer: 6 months (12 with a prior) vs. 12 months

A BAC of .02 up to .08 carries a minimum 6-month suspension (12 months with a prior offense), while .08 or higher carries a minimum 12-month suspension.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
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