Traffic School in Georgia
Confirm with your court or DMV. Traffic-code rules change and vary by court — verify the current rule on Georgia’s official .gov page or with the court handling your citation before you act. This page is general information, not legal advice.
In Georgia, completion of an approved driver improvement or defensive driving course functions as a point reduction mechanism rather than a conviction dismissal. When a driver completes an eligible course and presents the certificate to the Department of Driver Services (DDS), up to seven points may be credited against a citation on their driving record. The conviction itself remains on file; the course reduces only the associated point penalty.
Drivers are typically eligible to utilize this point reduction once every five years. The reduction removes seven points from the driver's record when the certificate is submitted to DDS.
The specific rules governing eligibility, frequency, and point reduction amounts vary by court jurisdiction and change with each legislative session. Eligibility often depends on the nature of the offense cited and the individual's driving history. Because regulations differ and are subject to periodic revision, drivers should confirm current requirements with the court handling their particular citation or directly with the Georgia Department of Driver Services before enrolling in or paying for any course. This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | Point reduction |
| What that means | removes/credits points; conviction stays |
| Eligibility / notes | Approved driver improvement (defensive driving) course; present certificate to DDS for up to 7-point reduction. |
| Frequency | once / 5 years |
| Points effect | -7 points |
| Governing statute | O.C.G.A. § 40-5-86 |
| Confidence | <span class="confidence high">Confirmed</span> |
How to read this
The “mechanism” is how the state treats a completed course: it may dismiss the citation, reduce or credit points, let you elect a course before conviction, leave it to court discretion, or offer no statewide program at all. It is the state’s rule — a course is one route the state may accept, never an automatic outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Can traffic school dismiss a ticket in Georgia?
How often can I do it?
Is this legal advice?
Georgia eligibility & statute → · How the process works → · Other point reduction states →