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Georgia Traffic Tickets & Under 21 Drivers
Traffic Ticket Lawyer for Drivers Under 21 Years Old
A traffic ticket attorney can help you in a multitude of ways, but it is especially important to consult with a traffic ticket lawyer if you’re a Georgia driver under 21 years of age. Why is this? Georgia law treats under 21 drivers differently than older licensees, and almost any traffic ticket can cause a license suspension. To understand the potential implications, we have broken it down into the main points below.
- How are the rules different? For regular Georgia licensees who are over 21, a points suspension will be triggered when someone accumulates fifteen (15) or more points in any consecutive 24-month period (measured by the offense dates). For Georgia licensees who are under 18, the accumulation of four (4) or more points in any 12-month period triggers a suspension. And for Georgia licensees who are under 21 but over 18, any offense for which four (4) or more points are assessable will result in a suspension.
- What are examples of four (4) point offenses? This list is not exhaustive, but here a few examples of offense that will trigger a suspension for under 21 drivers. These offenses range between four and 6 points. You can view a more exhaustive list of offenses here, on the DDS website.
-Improper passing on a hill or a curve, O.C.G.A. §40-6-45(a)(1)
- Unlawful passing of a school bus, O.C.G.A. §40-6-163
- Exceeding the speed limit by 24-mph or more, O.C.G.A. §40-6-181
- Aggressive driving, O.C.G.A. §40-6-397
- What if I was under 21 when I got the ticket but over 21 when I closed out the case? The suspension is imposed based on the driver’s age on the date of the conviction giving rise to the suspension.
- Can I plead nolo / no contest? Nolo / no contest pleas are not accepted for under 21 drivers, and will be treated as a conviction. Thus, a nolo / no contest plea will not avoid the suspension.
- How long is the suspension? The points suspension for under 21 drivers is for a 6-month period. A second or subsequent conviction will result in a 12 month suspension with no possibility of a limited driving permit.
- Can I get a limited permit to drive during the suspension? No. However, there is one exception. Only if the license suspension is due to a four point speeding conviction (24+ MPH over the posted speed limit), and the driver is at least 18 years old, the judge has the discretion to issue a limited permit. They do not have to agree to do so.
- What about alcohol-related offenses? The following alcohol-related offenses can result in a license suspension if you’re under 21:
- Purchasing or attempting to purchase an alcoholic beverage
- Misrepresenting age for the purpose of illegally obtaining any alcoholic beverage
- Misrepresenting identity or using false identification for the purpose of purchasing or
obtaining any alcoholic beverage
- Possession of alcoholic beverages while operating a motor vehicle
If convicted of any of the above alcohol-related offenses, with the exception of possession of
alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, your license will be suspended for a six-month period. A
second or subsequent offense can result in a 12-month license suspension. You will not be
eligible for a limited driving permit.
- How can a traffic ticket lawyer help me if I’m under 21? A traffic ticket lawyer will do everything possible negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction in the charge(s), and to avoid a suspension. Do not assume that because you received a ticket that you’re automatically guilty and/or that there’s nothing you can do to fight your case. Contact us today for a free consultation and speak with a traffic ticket lawyer to review your case