Driving on a suspended license in Georgia is a serious charge and carries with it the possibility of severe penalties. 

You may not even be aware that your license is suspended until you get stopped. It’s in your best interest not to plead guilty without speaking to an experienced Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney about your case. 

Georgia Suspended License

There are a few ways in which a person’s license can become suspended: 

1) Missed court date (even for a minor offense like a traffic ticket); 

2) Conviction for certain offenses (e.g., DUI); or 

3) Accumulation of Points (under the Georgia Point System). The Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points. Points are added to your license upon conviction of certain violations. A driver with 15 points in a 24-month period will have their license suspended. Licensed Georgia residents may request that the Department of Driver Services reduce the number of points assessed against their Georgia driver’s license.

Georgia Suspended License Penalties

O.C.G.A. § 40-5-121 lays out the penalties for driving while your license is suspended or revoked. The statute excludes explicitly habitual violators whose licenses have been revoked under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-58. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Georgia, and, as such, it remains on your criminal record. The penalties are as follows:

A limited driving permit (also known as a work permit) may be available for a fee during the suspension period that restricts the places and purpose that you are allowed to drive in some situations. Limited permits are not available to individuals who plead guilty or who are convicted at trial of driving on a suspended license. Under rule O.C.G.A §40-5-86, up to 7 points can be reduced once every 5 years.

Contact a Qualified Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license, contact me immediately. I will fight for the best outcome, even if that pursuit involves a trial.