Speeding and Drivers Under the Age of 21
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Speeding and Drivers Under the Age of 21

Are you a driver under the age of 21 who has recently received a speeding ticket? If so, then it's important to understand not only the potential costs associated with such an offense, but also how it could affect your driving record. While nobody likes getting pulled over and facing consequences for going too fast, understanding the workflow in these circumstances can help you make smart decisions about what options are available to you. In this blog post we'll explore all aspects of receiving a speeding ticket if you're under 21 – from points on your license to legal repercussions – and how an experienced lawyer may be able to provide key solutions at every step of the process.

Overview of Georgia's Rules for Drivers Under 21 Who Receive Speeding Tickets

Georgia has strict laws that govern speeding offenses committed by drivers under 21 years of age. Despite the fact that 18 to 20 year olds are legally permitted to obtain a Class C regular license, they remain subjected to stricter regulations and laws than drivers 21 plus years of age. Consequences can include points added to their license and even suspension, depending on the severity of the offense. Understandably, such repercussions can have a profound impact on a young driver’s life. Thankfully, legal assistance is available that can help minimize or even avoid penalties completely. An experienced lawyer familiar with local traffic rules can ensure grievances are heard and any associated consequences minimized or avoided when possible.

The Consequences of Receiving a Speeding Ticket in Georgia

Obtaining a speeding ticket in the state of Georgia is not an unexpected event, but neither is it one to be taken lightly. The consequences of driving over the speed limit can be steep, including the accrual of points on your license and pricey fines. If a driver under the age of 21 obtains a speeding ticket, they could even find their license suspended or revoked. As such, it’s important for any recipient of a citation to take swift legal action and contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will have thorough knowledge of Georgia’s traffic court system and can work to minimize the potential outcome from a looming speeding ticket.

Fines and Action Items

Speeding tickets are considered misdemeanor offenses in Georgia, regardless of your age or class of driver's license. That means that your maximum fine you could get is $1,000 and you could spend up to 12 months in jail and/or on probation, if you're convicted of speeding. You'll also get points assessed on your driver record - more about that below - and you could also have to do community service or take a defensive driving course. Some jurisdictions even require those under the age of 21 to attend victim impact panels, to impress the importance of safe driving habits upon young people, by showing the tragedies that result from reckless driving in our state - serious injury or even death.

Accumulation of Points on Your License as a Result of Speeding

If you are under the age of 21 and have been issued a speeding ticket, a guilty plea or conviction will result in the following points added to your license, depending on how fast over the speed limit you were convicted of going:

  • 14 mph or less over the speed limit = 0 points (you can still get fines and jail time, though)
  • 15 mph to 18 mph over = 2 points
  • 19 mph to 23 mph over = 3 points
  • 24 mph to 33 mph over = 4 points
  • 34 mph or more over the speed limit = 6 points

For Georgia drivers who are not yet 21 years old, conviction of any single traffic offense that has 4 or more points means that your license is automatically suspended. Therefore, if you are convicted of going 24 mph or more over the speed limit, you will lose your driver's license, effective the day of your conviction. Also, for any driver in Georgia 18 years or older, if you have 15 or more points on your license in any 24 month period, your license will be administratively suspended by the Georgia DDS (Department of Driver Services).

In order to get your license back as an under 21 driver, you will need to complete the mandatory 6 month suspension period first. Then, you will have to show proof of a DDS approved Defensive Driving Course and pay $200 reinstatement fee (which is $210 if you pay in person). This is for your first points suspension.

Also, you cannot plead nolo contendere or "no contest" in order to avoid the points on your license as an under 21 driver - only drivers 21 and older can do this. The judge does not have to tell you this and, if you try and plead no contest anyway, it will not work and your license will still be suspended, if you have that many points.

How an Experienced Georgia Attorney Can Help Minimize the Effects of Speeding

If you’re a driver under the age of 21 who has been ticketed for speeding recently in Georgia, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Understandably, speeding tickets can come with harsh consequences as we discussed above, in the form of fines, points on your license and more. Fortunately, an experienced attorney from Georgia can help minimize these effects by finding alternate outcomes or through expert negotiations with prosecutors. With the right representation, you may be able to avoid major penalties or costly court hearings and still take responsibility for what happened. Having somebody who knows the law in your corner is an invaluable asset no matter how serious your violation was.

For example, if the only reason you're going to be losing your license as a driver between the age of 18 and 20 is due to a first-lifetime 4 point speeding violation where you're convicted of going between 24 and 33 mph over the speed limit, there is a chance for you to be able to have a limited permit during the 6 month suspension. However, it is up to the judge, and you have to prove to the judge you need the limited permit to drive - whether for school or work or other reasons. Having a lawyer in your corner for this type of circumstance will help greatly, as they will know when and how to best argue this request for a limited driving permit on your behalf.

Tips for Avoiding Accumulating Too Many Points on Your License

Accruing points on your license from speeding tickets can be an expensive endeavor, especially for drivers under the age of 21. No matter what kind of consequences you face for accumulating a certain number of points, it is essential to take steps to avoid doing so in order to protect yourself legally and financially. For starters, drive carefully and within the speed limits – any traffic violation can put points on your license. You should also attend any scheduled court dates connected with your citation and consider hiring a lawyer who has experience in dealing with traffic violations to ensure that your case is handled appropriately. If you can't avoid taking points on your license for this traffic violation, consider driving extra careful from here on out, so you don't have to get any more points and face having your license suspended.

To Sum It All Up

Receiving a speeding ticket in Georgia, especially when you're under 21 years old, can have ramifications beyond the initial fine. The state's point system for attesting to violations and poor driving patterns is very strict and inflexible. An experienced Georgia attorney can be a great asset if you find yourself on the receiving end of a speeding ticket. They can help minimize the effects or work to erase them altogether. To avoid the accumulation of points that contributes toward license suspension, the best thing you can do is drive safe and follow the traffic laws accordingly. Be mindful of your speed limit; otherwise, consequences may follow.