Losing your license can be frustrating. The good news is that it is usually a temporary problem.
While you may have to take the bus or ask someone for a ride for a while, you will eventually regain your driving privileges.
However, this may not always be the case.
There are situations where you may lose your license permanently. You want to avoid this since your driving privileges help you remain independent and support your family.
While our legal team at the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines can help if you are at risk of losing your license permanently, knowing some of the reasons this may happen can also be beneficial.
Understanding Driver License Suspension and Revocation
If you are a Georgia resident, you have likely received a traffic citation at some point. These tickets are a nuisance; however, for the most part, they are a small burden to deal with.
It is one method used by the government to deter careless driving in Atlanta. It also helps make the roads somewhat safer.
Your license may be temporarily suspended or revoked if citations and fines are not enough to end bad driving. This is a common situation for repeat offenders.
Your license may be taken away for several small errors in a short amount of time or if you make a bigger mistake after having a spotless driving record for years.
Understanding License Suspension and Revocation
The Georgia DDS may suspend your driver’s license if you are cited for negligent driving actions. When your license is suspended, you lose your license and ability to drive legally. Usually, this only lasts temporarily.
In this situation, a hearing officer is assigned to your case to determine the length of the suspension. They will consider your past driving infractions when making this determination. Suspensions are usually for several months.
Having your Georgia license revoked is more serious. One driving offense, like a DUI conviction in Atlanta or the surrounding areas, may result in permanent license revocation. In this situation, your license is invalidated, and you must start the process to get one over again after the revocation period has passed. If your license is revoked, it will remain on your record forever. It may also harm your reputation in other ways.
Points That Lead to License Suspension and Revocation in Georgia
Your driver’s license in Georgia can be suspended if you receive 15 or more points on your driving record in 24 months. Each traffic violation is worth a set amount of points. More serious infractions will result in your license being suspended faster:
- Texting while driving – 1 point
- Speeding – 2 to 6 points
- Illegally passing a school bus – 6 points
- Reckless driving – 4 points
You can receive points for other infractions, too.
Reasons You May Lose Your License Permanently
Some of the reasons you may lose your license forever in Georgia include the following:
Three License Suspensions in Five Years
Your license will be suspended if you get 15 or more points on your license in two years. Your license will be revoked permanently if you receive three suspensions in five years because of excess points. At this point, you will also be labeled as a “habitual offender.”
Being Unfit to Drive
It is possible for your license to be revoked permanently if you are considered “unfit to drive” because of a medical condition. Situations that may lead to you being deemed “unfit to drive” include drug addiction, psychological conditions, and poor eyesight.
Refusal of a Driving Test
The DMV may request that you take a driving or written test. If you refuse to do this, your driving privileges will be revoked permanently.
DUIs
In Georgia, receiving multiple DUIs may result in permanent license revocation. It is more likely to occur if your DUI cases have involved situations where you seriously injured someone or caused fatalities.
Other Crimes
Several other crimes in Georgia may cause you to lose your license permanently. One example is if you discharge a weapon while driving. Other examples include reckless driving or driving with a forged license.
Non-Driving Related Situations
In some situations, you may lose your driver’s license in Georgia for things unrelated to driving. One example is if you do not pay your child support. However, this is typically a temporary penalty until you have paid what you owe. Also, parents can withdraw their minor child’s license if they are under 18.
Let Our Legal Team Help with Your Driver’s License Situation
If you have received a traffic citation, it may not seem like that big of a deal. In many cases, it is not. However, there are situations where minor traffic infractions can lead to serious issues, including the permanent revocation of your driver’s license.
At the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines, our legal team can review the facts of your case and help fight the ticket or charges you are facing. We will provide aggressive representation to help protect your right to drive.
Contact our office today to learn more about our legal services and how we can help with your case.
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