DUI Penalties in Georgia

A first DUI conviction in Georgia can result in 24 hours to 12 months in jail, fines from $300 to $1,000, a 12-month license suspension, a minimum of 40 hours of community service, up to 12 months of probation, and mandatory completion of a DUI Risk Reduction Program. A $210 reinstatement fee applies when seeking license reinstatement after the suspension period.

A second DUI within ten years results in a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail, fines from $600 to $1,000, a three-year license suspension, a minimum of 30 days of community service, mandatory clinical evaluation and treatment, required ignition interlock device upon reinstatement, and publication of name, photo, and address in the local newspaper at your expense.

A third DUI within ten years carries a mandatory minimum of 15 days in jail, fines from $1,000 to $5,000, a five-year license suspension, at least 30 days of community service, mandatory treatment, ignition interlock requirement, habitual violator designation, and publication of name, photo, and address in the local newspaper at your expense.

A fourth DUI conviction within ten years is charged as a felony in Georgia, carrying one to five years in state prison, fines from $1,000 to $5,000, a minimum of 60 days of community service, and long-term license revocation.

The maximum fine for a first DUI in Georgia is $1,000. Second offense maximums are also $1,000. Third and subsequent offenses carry fines up to $5,000, not including court costs, surcharges, and other related expenses.

A first DUI conviction can result in a 12-month license suspension. A second conviction within ten years results in a three-year suspension. A third conviction results in a five-year suspension. Refusing a chemical test triggers a separate one-year administrative suspension regardless of the outcome of the criminal case.

Possibly. For a first offense BAC-over-the-limit suspension, you may be eligible for a limited driving permit after 120 days upon completing DUI school and paying reinstatement fees. Refusal suspensions are generally hard suspensions with no permit available for a first refusal. An experienced DUI attorney can advise you on your specific eligibility.

There is a 24-hour mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first DUI conviction in Georgia if the driver’s BAC was .08% or higher. This minimum is often served through time already spent in custody at the time of arrest. Beyond the mandatory minimum, whether additional jail time is imposed depends on the specific facts of the case, the court, and the judge.

No. Georgia does not allow expungement of DUI convictions. A conviction is permanent and will appear on background checks indefinitely. However, if your charges are dismissed or nolle prossed and you are not convicted, you may be eligible to petition for record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which removes the arrest from your public criminal history. This is one of the most compelling reasons to fight a DUI charge aggressively rather than accepting a plea.

A DUI conviction typically results in insurance premiums increasing two to three times your current rate, or outright policy cancellation. You will likely be required to file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility with the state, signaling high-risk status to insurers. These elevated rates typically persist for several years following the conviction.

Yes, severely. A first DUI conviction — even if it occurred in a personal vehicle — results in a mandatory one-year CDL disqualification. A second DUI conviction results in a lifetime CDL disqualification. For commercial drivers whose livelihoods depend on their license, fighting a DUI charge aggressively from the start is especially critical.

An ignition interlock device (IID) is a breathalyzer installed in a vehicle that prevents it from starting unless the driver provides a clean breath sample. In Georgia, an IID is required for second and subsequent DUI convictions upon license reinstatement. It may also be required as a condition of a limited driving permit or as an alternative to the administrative license suspension hearing process.