Drivers License Suspensions in GA Affecting Teenagers and Drivers Under 21

If You Are Under 21 Your Driver License May Be Automatically Suspended

The GA driver license for persons under 21 years of age will be automatically suspended as of the date of conviction for any of the following charges:

• Reckless driving;
• Aggressive driving;
• Purchasing an alcoholic beverage;
• Attempting to purchase an alcoholic beverage;
• Underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle;
• Misrepresenting age for the purpose of illegally obtaining any alcoholic beverage;
• Misrepresenting identity or using false identification for the purpose of purchasing or obtaining an alcoholic beverage;
• Speeding 24 mph or more over the speed limit;
• Unlawful passing of a school bus;
• Improper passing on a hill or a curve;
• Any 4-point offense (please see our Point System blog);
• Four or more points in 12 months prior to age 18;
• School attendance or conduct violations (under age 18).

If You Are Under 21 and Charged With DUI

A GA DUI conviction for those less than 21 years of age can mean permanent damage to your driving record that could cause you problems if you apply for a job or attempt to obtain credit.

If you are under 21 and arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in GA, the laws that are applicable to drivers in this age group will leave you with limited options. Traffic laws in GA are very strict with penalties tougher on minors and those under 21 due to their inexperience behind the wheel.

There are 3 categories listed below which apply to drivers under 21. If you are found guilty of a first DUI offense and fall under one of the 3 categories listed below you will receive a 6-month suspension with no limited driving permit:

1. You submitted to the state-administered chemical substance test (otherwise known as field sobriety examination) and results show a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02 and less than .08;
2. You did not participate in the state-administered test of your blood, breath, or urine when requested (Bear in mind refusal to submit to a test could incur a 12 month license suspension, see 2 categories below); and
3. The field sobriety examination results were suppressed by the trial court.

The additional 2 categories listed below apply to under age 21 drivers found guilty of a first DUI offense. A conviction will result in a 12-month suspension with no limited driving permit:

1. You submitted to the state-administered chemical substance test (otherwise known as field sobriety examination) and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .08 grams or more; and
2. You refused to submit to the state-administered chemical substances test (otherwise known as field sobriety examination).

Georgia DUI Conviction When Under 21 Years Of Age In A Nutshell

1. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.02 is standard for DUI for an offender who is under 21;
2. Imprisonment not less than 10 days nor more than 12 months;
3. Judge may suspend all but 24 hours of imprisonment;
4. Probation, 12 months less any time served in jail;
5. Minimum fine of $300;
6. Maximum fine of $1,000;
7. Not less than 40 hours community service;
8. Completion of Drug and Alcohol Risk Reduction School (DUI school); and
9. Revocation of drivers licenses.

If You Are Under 21 and Charged With A 2nd DUI

If you are under 21 years of age, the penalties for 2nd and subsequent DUI convictions are the same as for people over the age of 21. For more information view our blog on DUI Penalties In GA.

Effect Of Nolo Contendere Plea To DUI Charge

If a defendant neither admits guilt nor declares innocence he is entering what is referred to as a Nolo Contendere plea. The defendant agrees that the court may consider him guilty for the purpose of sentencing him. Do not misunderstand the effect of entering a Nolo Contendere plea to a DUI charge. If you are charged with DUI the entry of a Nolo Contendere plea will not prevent your drivers license from being suspended.