Georgia Traffic Violation Records

Traffic records in Georgia are typically maintained by the Department of Driver Services. However, some of these records may also be found in the courts in the state. Usually, records relating to speeding tickets and traffic infractions are held by the DDS, while traffic violations escalating to criminal offenses are found within the Georgia court system.

Since speeding violations remain one of the most common traffic infractions in the state, records relating to such violations are among the most requested traffic records by the public. More than 15% of speeding drivers in Georgia have a previous speeding conviction on their driving record. The state promotes adherence to traffic laws by adopting a system that ensures that accumulating traffic violations may lead to points on a driver's record, leading to increased insurance premiums, license suspensions, and potential legal consequences.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Georgia?

Traffic records maintained by the Department of Driver Services (DDS) are not fully public. Although you may obtain your own driving history from the DDS, accessing another person's driving record is typically not permitted, except where authorized parties like insurance companies, employers, and law enforcement agencies are allowed to access the records.

However, some traffic records, especially those involving criminal charges, may be available via court records. Traffic offenses in Georgia may be handled by municipal, state, and superior courts, depending on the severity of the violation. Georgia court records are generally public unless they have been restricted or sealed under specific legal provisions.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Georgia?

You may look up online via the locate ticket tool on the Georgia courts website if the court uses one of the following options:

• Government Window
• EZ Court Pay
• JusticeOne Pay

The search may be completed using your name, date of birth, and citation number. Alternatively, some traffic ticket information may be available online via your account on the Georgia DDS portal. Note that you may only find information on your own ticket via the DDS portal.

Also, since Georgia considers traffic violations public records, some third-party websites like PublicRecords.us may provide access to traffic ticket information.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

You may pay traffic violation fines in Georgia using several methods, depending on the court handling the case. Typically, available options include the following:

Online Payment: The Georgia Judicial Council's website, via JusticeOne Pay, provides links to county and municipal courts where payments may be made online. Also, some counties allow direct payments through EZCourtPay, an approved third-party service provider.

In-Person Payment: Payments may be made at the local court handling the case. Accepted payment methods typically include cash, credit/debit cards, money orders, and cashier's checks.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain your Georgia driving record online, in person at a DDS Customer Service Center, or by mail. To access the record online, you must first create an account on the DDS Online Services Portal. After that, you may submit a request for a 3-year or 7-year non-certified or certified motor vehicle record. Online payments may be made using a valid credit card for the internet.

Regardless of the means of obtaining a driving record, a 3-year driver history report costs $6, a 7-year driver history report costs $8, and a lifetime driver history report also costs $8. Note that lifetime driving records may only be obtained in person or by mail. If you are submitting your request by mail, send a completed Form DDS-18 and check, money order, or cashier's check (made payable to the Department of Driver Services) to:

The information contained in a Georgia motor vehicle record includes moving violations, traffic tickets, driver's current license status, and accidents.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Georgia?

Traffic violations may be broadly categorized as moving violations and non-moving violations in Georgia. Moving violations occur when a vehicle is in motion, while non-moving violations occur when a vehicle is stationary.

Examples of moving violations in Georgia include:

• DUI
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Improper lane changes

Non-moving violations include the following:

• Illegal parking
• Broken tail light or headlight
• Expired vehicle registration

The penalties for moving violations are more serious than for non-moving violations. In Georgia, fines, points on driving record, increased insurance premiums, and license suspension or revocation are common examples of penalties for moving violations. Non-moving violations may be penalized by fines and corrective actions, such as fixing the cited issue, like repairing faulty equipment.

How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

A DUI conviction stays on your Georgia criminal record indefinitely and cannot be expunged. However, the conviction will only remain on your driving record for 10 years. Although DUI offenses are punished severely in Georgia, the state records about 260 DUI arrests and 6.5 DUI road fatalities per 100,000 drivers annually.

A first-time DUI conviction may be punished with fines ranging from $600 to $1,000, potential jail time of 10 days to 12 months (with at least 24 hours mandatory), 12 months of probation, and a minimum of 40 hours of community service. Additionally, their license may be suspended for up to 12 months. For a second DUI offense within 10 years, fines remain between $600 and $1,000, but jail time extends to 90 days to 12 months, with a minimum of 72 hours behind bars. Additional penalties, such as mandatory alcohol treatment and ignition interlock device installation, may also apply.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Georgia?

While local jurisdictions, the Georgia Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Transportation may adjust speed limits based on specific facts, the maximum speed limits in Georgia per O.C.G.A. § 40-6-181 are as follows:

• 30 mph in residential zones and urban areas
• 35 mph in areas deemed unpaved country roads
• 65 mph on multi-lane divided highway or interstate (urban) areas
• 70 mph in rural interstate locations
• 55 mph on any other road, except where another speed limit is posted

Penalties for violating speeding regulations in Georgia include fines, potential jail times, and demerit points accumulation. According to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-1, fines for speeding law violations range from $25 to $500, depending on how much the speed limit was exceeded. Note that these fines are subject to additional surcharges and court costs. Also, repeat offenders may face increased fines and potential jail time, especially if the violations are within a short timeframe or are severe. In addition, according to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-189 (Georgia's Super Speeder Law), an additional $200 fee may be imposed on drivers convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on two-lane roads and 85 mph or more on any road or highway. Failure to pay this fee results in an additional $50 fee and suspension of the driver's license.

Per demerit points accumulation, points for speeding violations in the state range from 2 to 6, depending on the severity. Accumulating 15 points within 24 months usually leads to license suspension.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

A speeding ticket typically stays on a driver's record in Georgia for two years. However, the points associated with the violation may impact insurance rates and driving privileges during the two-year period.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket in Georgia, you may choose to fight it, especially if you believe the citation is underserved. To contest a Georgia traffic ticket, consider the following steps:

• Confirm Your Court Date: Instead of paying the fine, request a court date to challenge the ticket and present your case.
• Gather Strong Evidence: Collect photos, witness statements, and relevant documents that support your defense.
• Arrive on Time: Being late or missing your court date can lead to license suspension under Georgia law.
• Enter a Plea: Plead "not guilty" during your court appearance and formally contest the ticket.
• Present Your Case: Explain your defense in clear terms, using evidence and legal arguments to challenge the violation. You may challenge the accuracy of the officer's evidence or explain that specific circumstances, such as hazardous road conditions and medical emergencies, necessitated your action.

Note that an experienced traffic attorney may help you navigate the legal system in Georgia more effectively than self-representation. Hence, if you suspect that the violation may lead to jail time, license suspension, or the addition of demerit points on your record, you may consider consulting with an attorney to represent you in court.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

Per the Driver's License Compact (DLC), participating states may report traffic violations committed in one state to another participating state. However, Georgia is not a member of the DLC but a participating member of the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NVC). Under the NVC, if a driver fails to pay a ticket in another participating state, their home state may suspend their license until the fine is settled. Therefore, if you have been issued a traffic ticket in another state that is a member of the NVC, Georgia may suspend your license until the fine is settled.

If you have been issued an out-of-state ticket, you may contest it in the following way:

• Request a Court Hearing: Many states allow drivers to contest their tickets in person or virtually.
• Hire a Local Traffic Attorney: An attorney familiar with the local traffic laws can represent you in court, possibly without requiring you to appear.
• Submit a Written Affidavit: Some jurisdictions allow drivers to present their defense in writing instead of attending court.
• Challenge the Evidence: Disputing radar calibration, traffic signs, or officer testimony may help dismiss or reduce the ticket.

How Do Georgia Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

While basic traffic standards, such as driving in the right lane and turn signals, remain the same across the United States, Georgia has several unique traffic laws that set it apart from many other states. Examples of these laws include the following:

• Super Speeder Law: Georgia imposes an additional $200 fine on drivers caught speeding 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or 85 mph or more on highways. Many states do not have a comparable penalty.
• Hands-Free Law: Unlike some states that allow limited handheld phone use while driving, Georgia has a strict hands-free law, prohibiting drivers from holding a phone for calls, texting, or even using GPS unless it is hands-free.
• Move Over Law: Georgia strictly enforces its move over law, requiring drivers to switch lanes or slow down significantly when approaching emergency or utility vehicles on the roadside. Some states have less severe penalties or do not mandate lane changes.
• Traffic Camera Citations: Some states treat red-light and speed camera violations as moving violations that impact a driver's record. In Georgia, however, these are considered civil infractions and do not add points to a driver's record.
• Slowpoke Law: Georgia requires drivers in the left lane to move over if they are driving slower than the normal flow of traffic, even if they are at the speed limit. Violating this law can result in fines and points on the driver's license.
• DUI on Bicycles: In Georgia, bicycles are considered vehicles, and riders may be charged with a DUI if caught cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs.