Georgia

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Georgia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .15 1 year Yes

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for repeat convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 8 yrs and 57" or shorter in rear seat if available

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    Over 57" tall

    40 lbs or over in rear seat can use lap belt if lap/shoulder belt unavailable

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary Law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    No

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • Zero tolerance for some drugs

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Illegal
    • Impaired Driving: Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    Choice of 5 or 10 years; veterans valid until 65 years old

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    60 and over: renewal every 5 years

    64 and over: vision test required

     

  • Motorcyclists

    Universal helmet law enacted 1969.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    8 and older

    In What Seat?

    8-17 yrs: All

    18 and over: Front

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    School zones, one hour before and after instruction time

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    School zones, one hour before and after instruction time

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    *NOTE: Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.

  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    18 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 12 40 (6); 0 with behind the wheel training

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

    First 6 months: no passengers

    Second 6 months: no more than 1 passenger under 21

    Thereafter: No more than 3 passengers (secondary enforcement)