Georgia DUI penalties: what the manual publishes, and what it does not.

What counts as under the influence

• 21 or older

  0.08 gm or more by alcohol weight in the blood

  PDF page 24

• Under 21

  0.02 gm or more by alcohol weight in the blood, which the manual calls irrefutable

  PDF page 24

• A prescription is not a defense

  Not if the medication impairs your ability to drive safely

  PDF page 24

What a conviction costs

The manual states one ceiling for the whole offense rather than a schedule by offense number.

• Fines

  Up to $1000

  PDF page 24

• Jail

  Up to 12 months

  PDF page 24

• Your license

  Mandatory suspension of your driving privileges

  PDF page 24

The suspension schedule, and who it is for

These rows are the general schedule in the manual's traffic laws section. A reader under 21 gets the stricter one below instead, and the limited permit named here is one the manual withholds after a conviction before age 21.

• First conviction within 5 years

  A 12-month suspension, eligible for early reinstatement at the end of 120 days, a restoration fee of $210 or $200 by mail, and a limited permit is available

  PDF page 24

• Second conviction within 5 years

  A 3-year suspension, eligible for early reinstatement after 18 months from the date of conviction, a restoration fee of $310 or $300 by mail, and a limited permit is available

  PDF page 24

• Third and subsequent conviction within 5 years

  Habitual Violator revocation, no limited permit is available, and the manual says you may apply for a probationary license

  PDF page 24

• Whether a limited permit is available depends on your age

  The manual says a limited driving permit is not available after a DUI conviction before age 21

  PDF page 49

And if you are under 21, a different schedule

This one is in the manual's teen driving section, and it is stricter than the schedule above.

• First DUI, BAC .02 or more but under .08, or the test suppressed, or no test given

  A minimum of 6 months, or a minimum of 12 months if you have a previous conviction for one of the offenses listed above it on that page

  PDF page 28

• First DUI, BAC .08 or more, or you refused implied consent testing

  A minimum of 12 months

  PDF page 28

• On a first DUI suspension under 21

  No limited driving permit is available

  PDF page 28

• Second DUI under 21

  A minimum of 18 months, with ignition interlock permit eligibility after 120 days

  PDF page 28

Two more numbers a Georgia learner should know

• Reckless driving

  A fine of up to $1000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, and for a driver under 21 a suspension of all driving privileges

  PDF page 24

• Speeding in a work zone

  A fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $2,000.00, or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both

  PDF page 23