Georgia Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
Typical fine ranges for the most common Georgia traffic violations — speeding, red light, cell phone, and more. Plus how the point system works and what to do if you got a ticket.
Read This First — Ranges Only, Not Exact Amounts
The fines below are typical ranges only. Your actual fine depends on the county, the specific court, your driving history, the officer's discretion, and any local surcharges. Court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can substantially increase the total.
This page is not legal advice. If you've received a citation — especially for reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, or any criminal traffic charge — consult a licensed Georgia attorney before doing anything else.
📋Common Georgia Violations & Typical Fines
Most-searched violations in Georgia. All amounts include the typical base fine; court costs and state surcharges are added on top and vary by county.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–14 MPH over No points assessed under Georgia law for less than 15 over (court costs may still apply). | $0–$50 |
Speeding 15–18 MPH over 2 points | $25–$125 |
Speeding 19–23 MPH over 3 points | $100–$185 |
Speeding 24–33 MPH over 4 points | $150–$300 |
Speeding 34+ MPH over (Super Speeder) "Super Speeder" law adds an extra $200 state fee for ≥85 MPH on any road or ≥75 MPH on a 2-lane road. 6 points | $250–$700 |
Running a red light 3 points | $70–$200 |
Running a stop sign 3 points | $50–$150 |
Hand-held cell phone (Hands-Free Georgia) $50 first / $100 second / $150 third or more, increasing points each time. 1–3 points | $50–$150 |
Driving without insurance Plus license suspension; misdemeanor charge. | $200–$1,000 |
🎯How Georgia's Point System Works
Georgia DDS assesses 1–6 points for moving violations. Points stay on your driving record for 2 years.
15 points within 24 months results in license suspension for adults. Drivers under 21 face suspension for any single offense carrying 4+ points (including speeding 24+ MPH over).
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
Georgia Defensive Driving Course removes up to 7 points from your record (once every 5 years). Course costs $25–$95. Many courts also offer a "nolo contendere" plea option once every 5 years to keep a single citation off your record.
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. In most cases, a single ticket can raise your auto-insurance premium by 20%–40% for the next 3 years — frequently adding $300–$1,500+ in extra premiums, depending on your insurer, your prior record, and your state's rating rules.
Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket — they can usually tell you the actual rate impact, which often makes traffic school (where eligible) the obvious choice even if the fine itself is small.
📝If You Got a Georgia Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every Georgia citation has a court date or response deadline (often 20–30 days). Missing it usually means an automatic guilty finding, additional fees, and a possible bench warrant. Note the court name, the violation code, and the deadline — they're all printed on the ticket.
- 2
Decide: pay, contest, or take traffic school
For minor non-moving violations (parking, expired tags), paying is often the cheapest path. For moving violations that add points or insurance impact, traffic school (where eligible) is often the better total-cost choice. Contesting makes sense when you have evidence the citation is wrong, when the consequences are severe, or when an attorney advises it.
- 3
For serious charges, talk to a Georgia attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — these are criminal charges in Georgia, not traffic infractions. They carry possible jail time, license revocation, and long-term consequences. Many traffic-defense attorneys offer free initial consultations; the cost of representation is almost always less than the cost of mishandling a serious charge alone.
🔗Official Georgia Sources
For exact, current penalties for your specific situation, check the official sources below — these are the same sources Georgia courts and law enforcement use:
💰Also Worth Knowing: Georgia License Cost
See the complete cost breakdown for getting a Georgia driver's license — permit fees, license fees, REAL ID, driver education, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View Georgia License Cost BreakdownNeed Your Georgia Driver's License?
Get the complete step-by-step Georgia driver's license guide — requirements, documents, road test tips, fees, and FAQs.
Full Georgia Driver's License GuideThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by county, court, prior record, and the specific circumstances of each case. Court costs, state surcharges, and assessments are routinely added on top of the base fines listed here and can substantially increase the total amount owed.
Information is sourced from publicly available Georgia statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official Georgia source before relying on any number on this page. For any criminal traffic charge — including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving on a suspended license — consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), any Georgia court, or any law enforcement agency.