How Do License Points Affect My Insurance in Georgia?

June 11, 2026 | J.L. King, II | Georgia Law

In Georgia, points are added to your driving record after traffic violations. A single moving violation can follow you for years in the form of higher insurance premiums.

Georgia assigns points to moving violations based on their severity. Minor infractions may add two points to your record; serious offenses can add up to six. 

What Offenses Can Result in Points on Your License?

Common point values include:

• Speeding 15 to 18 mph over the limit = 2 points
• Speeding 19 to 23 mph over the limit = 3 points
• Speeding 24 to 33 mph over the limit = 4 points
• Speeding 34 mph or more over the limit = 6 points
• Reckless driving = 4 points
• Unlawfully passing a school bus = 6 points
• Improper passing on a hill or curve = 4 points

If you accumulate 15 points within a 24-month period, Georgia will suspend your license. Drivers under 21 face an even stricter standard; a single four-point violation can trigger a suspension.

How Points Affect Your Insurance Rates

Insurance companies do not use Georgia’s point system directly. Instead, they review a driver’s motor vehicle record and apply their own internal rating systems. Violations on your record mean higher premiums.

The size of the increase depends on the violation. A minor speeding ticket might raise your premiums by a small percentage. A reckless driving conviction or DUI can increase premiums substantially, and some insurers will drop high-risk drivers entirely. These increases typically last for several years before dropping off your insurance record. 

Do Car Accidents Increase Points on My License?

Georgia does not add points to your license merely because you were involved in a car accident. Points are based on convictions for traffic violations, not the accident. 

The distinction matters, but it comes with a catch. If you receive a citation in connection with the crash and are convicted, the points for that violation will go on your record. Common accident-related citations include:

• Following too closely: 1 point
• Failure to yield: 3 points
• Improper lane change: 3 points
• Reckless driving: 4 points

For example, a driver who causes a rear-end collision will not receive points for the accident, but they could receive points for a following-too-closely citation.

Your insurance company does not need points to raise your rates. Insurers track at-fault accidents independently of the state’s point system. 

Types of Car Accidents That Can Increase Insurance Rates

A car accident often affects your rates more than the points do. This is true for the following accidents: 

• Rear-end accidents
• Front-end collisions
• Rollover accidents
• Speeding accidents
• Distracted driving accidents

Importantly, an at-fault crash on your record can increase your premiums even if no citation was ever issued. 

Can Points Be Removed From Your Record?

Georgia allows drivers to reduce up to seven points from their record once every five years by completing a certified defensive driving course. Defensive driving courses are available in-person or online (via Zoom) through various state-approved providers.

You can also contest the underlying ticket in court. If the citation is dismissed or reduced, the points may never be put on your record.

Contact an Experienced Macon Car Accident Lawyer at The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers

If you were injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver, the driver may receive points on their license for any traffic infractions that caused the accident. You may also be able to pursue compensation from the driver or their insurance. A car accident claim can provide money for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, among other losses.

Reach out to The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to arrange a free consultation with a Macon car accident attorney.

We have three convenient locations in Georgia, including Tifton, Griffin, and Macon. And we also serve clients in Moultrie, Waycross, and Sylvester.

We proudly serve Tift County, Spalding County, Macon-Bibb County, and their surrounding areas:

The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Macon Office
886 Mulberry St, Macon, GA 31201
(478) 292-7272

The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Griffin Office
3317 Fayetteville Rd, Griffin, GA 30223
(404) 567-4546