DMVZoneBlogA 6-hour DDS-certified defensive driving course can take up to 7 points off a Georgia license once every five years. Finish it before court and some judges will also cut the fine by 20% with no points.
Georgia residents can reduce up to 7 points once every five years by completing a 6-hour DDS-certified defensive driving course and sending the original certificate to DDS. If you finish the course before your court date, the court may also cut your fine by 20% and record no points, also once every five years.
Georgia gives drivers two separate ways to use the same course. One works with DDS on points you already have. The other works with the court on the ticket you just got.
| Point reduction (DDS) | Before court (judge) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Takes up to 7 points off your record | Fine cut by 20%, no points for that ticket |
| When | After points are on your record | Finished before your court date |
| How often | Once every 5 years | Once every 5 years, if the court allows it |
| Where to send proof | DDS, by mail or in person | The court |
If you are close to 15 points, take the course before the next ticket, not after. A suspension that has already started is harder to undo.
How many points can a Georgia defensive driving course remove?
Answer: C. Up to 7 points, once every five years.
How long is the DDS-certified defensive driving course?
Answer: C. It is a 6-hour certified driver improvement course.
What can finishing the course before court do?
Answer: B. Courts may reduce the fine by 20% and record no points, once every five years.
DDS certifies the programs. Check the DDS list for each school's format before you sign up.
Many insurers offer a discount for a completed defensive driving course. Ask your agent.
No. The point reduction is limited to once every five years.
Checked against these pages on November 12, 2026. Laws change, so open the source before you rely on a number.
Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official Georgia DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.
The Georgia ADAP course explained: who needs it, the 4-hour class vs online eADAP, the certificate and how it fits your Class D license.
In Georgia, speeding under 15 mph over adds no points, while aggressive driving and passing a school bus add 6. Reach 15 points in 24 months and DDS suspends your license. Drivers under 21 face much stricter rules.
Get convicted of 85 mph or more anywhere in Georgia, or 75 mph or more on a two-lane road, and DDS bills you a $200 Super Speeder fee on top of the court fine. Miss the 120-day deadline and your license is suspended.