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Georgia DUI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in Georgia is 0.08% per se
(effective from Jul 1st 2001)

(If you’ve been charged with Georgia DUI, the law allows only 10 days for your Georgia DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Georgia DMV (Department of Driver Services) for a hearing to save your driving license)

Georgia DUI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Georgia it is crime for ANY driver to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.08% and above.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT 0.04%
It is a crime for commercial vehicle operators to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.04% or above.

MINOR (under the age of 21) - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.02% or above.

It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Georgia and implied consent laws are enforced.

Georgia BAC Calculator

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT CALCULATOR Calculate your BAC using our calculator, know your legal drunk driving limits and stay safe!!

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Penalties for DUI - Drunk Driving in Georgia

Georgia is a state with a ten-year ‘washout period’ also known as a 'look back period', this means that a prior conviction is not admissible for sentencing purposes after ten years. If it is ten years and one day since a driver was convicted of DUI in Georgia, that driver will be sentenced as a first-time offender. If a driver is convicted of a second or subsequent DUI within 10 years, then they will be classed as a multiple offender and sentenced accordingly.

NOTE: Under the laws of Georgia, out of state convictions will be counted as prior offenses.

First Dui - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DUI - drunk driving conviction in Georgia:

• $300 to $1,000 fine
• 10 days to 12 months in jail (the judge may suspend, stay or probate all but 24 hours of any jail term imposed)
• up to 1 years drivers license suspension
• not fewer than 40 hours community service
• must complete DUI program
• clinical evaluation/treatment
• possible attendance at substance abuse program
• probation for 12 months (less any days a person is incarcerated)
• Georgia SR22 insurance requirement

INCREASED PENALTY AT BAC 0.15% OR MORE
Anyone convicted of a first DUI with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.15% or more will be receive the same sentence as those convicted of a second DUI as stated below.

Second DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DUI - drunk driving conviction in Georgia:

• $600 to $1,000 fine
• 90 days to 12 months in jail (the judge may suspend, stay or probate all but 72 hours of any jail term imposed)
• 3 year drivers license suspension
• not fewer than 30 days community service
• must complete DUI program
• clinical evaluation/treatment
• possible attendance at substance abuse program
• probation for 12 months (less any days a person is incarcerated)
• ignition interlock device must be installed on all vehicles owned and operated by the offender for a minimum period of 6 months
• Georgia SR22 insurance requirement

Third DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - HIGH & AGGRAVATED Misdemeanor

The penalty for a third DUI - drunk driving conviction in Georgia:

• $1,000 to $5,000 fine
• 120 days to 12 months in jail (the judge may suspend, stay or probate all but 15 days of any jail term imposed)
• 5 years drivers license revocation
• not fewer than 30 days community service
• clinical evaluation/treatment
• possible attendance at substance abuse program
• declared as habitual offender
• probation for 12 months (less any days a person is incarcerated)
• ignition interlock device must be installed on all vehicles owned and operated by the offender for a minimum period of 6 months
• Georgia SR22 insurance requirement

Fourth DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - FELONY

NOTE: A fourth drunk driving conviction in Georgia is a Felony if within 10 years of previous convictions.

The penalty for a fourth DUI - drunk driving conviction in Georgia:

• $1,000 to $5,000 fine
• 1 to 5 years in jail (the judge may suspend, stay or probate all but 90 days of any jail term imposed)
• 5 years drivers license revocation
• not fewer than 60 days community service
• clinical evaluation/treatment
• declared as habitual offender
• probation for 5 years (less any days a person is incarcerated)
• ignition interlock device must be installed on all vehicles owned and operated by the offender for a minimum period of 6 months
• Georgia SR22 insurance requirement

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Implied consent LAWS

It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Georgia and implied consent laws are enforced.

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Georgia

In Georgia, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.

In addition to punishments for DUI the penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Georgia are:

First chemical test refusal

• 1 year drivers license suspension
• Georgia SR22 insurance requirement

Second (and subsequent) chemical test refusal

• 18 months drivers license suspension
• Georgia SR22 insurance requirement

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Georgia Auto insurance (High Risk DUI SR22 Insurance)

Georgia auto insurance quotes ENTER ZIP CODE:

Georgia SR-22 auto insurance is usually required for a period of 3 years after a DUI - drunk driving alcohol related driving conviction and can be very expensive if you go with the wrong provider. Some insurance companies will not even do an SR22 insurance filing. Get a FREE DUI auto insurance quote and compare rates to find the best deal, simply enter your ZIP code above and you can be comparing prices for Georgia auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in the state of Georgia

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of Georgia for private passenger vehicles is (25/50/25). This equates to the following liability coverage:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• $50,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $25,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage

What is (BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance?

(BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance coverage will pay for serious and permanent injury or death to other people when a crash is caused by the insured. An auto insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits specified in an insurance policy and will provide legal representation for the insured in the event someone tries to sue them.

What is (PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance?

(PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance coverage pays for damages an insured driver or members of an insured drivers family cause (and are liable for) to other people's property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

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FREE DUI / DWI Case evaluation & by local Georgia Lawyer

OR

Protect your rights! Talk to a local DUI lawyer Georgia DUI cases tend to move quickly through the system, and there may be important deadlines that affect your right to assert certain defenses or call witnesses. It’s important that you understand the process your Georgia drunk driving case will follow and the important requirements and deadlines before you take any action—but you can’t afford to delay. Talk to a local Georgia Drunk Driving Attorney as soon as possible to gather important information such as: • What penalties do you face if convicted of DUI in Georgia? • What are the indirect penalties, such as increased insurance rates and diminished job opportunities in Georgia? • Does Georgia have a mandatory ignition interlock device law? • Was your breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test properly administered in accordance with Georgia laws and procedures ? • When and how can you get your driver’s license reinstated in Georgia? It’s easy to make mistakes under pressure, so make sure that you have the information you need to make good, educated decisions during this process. Contact a local Georgia criminal defense attorney specialising in Georgia drunk driving laws today.

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Disclaimer: While every effort is made to keep all information up to date, the Georgia drunk driving laws change frequently and the information provided should not be construed as legal advice. Drinkdriving.org shall not be held responsible for any actions a person may take as a result of information gathered from this web site. Consultation with a local Georgia DUI lawyer is recommended in all cases.

Useful Georgia DUI Links:

DUI - Drunk Driving Laws in Georgia

Georgia Drivers Manual

Georgia DDS (Department of Driver Services)

Georgia Department of Transportation

Georgia State Courts (Judicial Branch of Georgia)

Georgia Department of Insurance

Georgia DUI Lawyers

Georgia DUI discussion forum

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Latest Georgia DUI News

Alabama and Georgia join against drunken driving - Cleburne News

ABC2 News

Alabama and Georgia join against drunken driving Cleburne News This partnership is being conducted during the current, national DUI enforcement crackdown campaign known as ?Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest. ... Troopers and MCCD Officers to Participate in Hands Across the Border This WeekWDEF News 12 all 50 news articles »

Georgia AD holds self to higher standard - ESPN

Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)

Georgia AD holds self to higher standard ESPN ... than anyone in the athletic department, particularly after Evans' DUI arrest this summer and the arrests of eight Georgia football players this year. ... In long line of arrests, Georgia concerned about imagethe Inkwell McGarity: It's 'unfair' to give coach specific win mandateAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) New UGA athletic director off to early startWTVM Savannah Morning News all 56 news articles »

Sheriffs plan DUI crackdown for holiday weekend - Fayette Daily News

LAist (blog)

Sheriffs plan DUI crackdown for holiday weekend Fayette Daily News ... high visibility sobriety roadchecks and DUI patrols to save lives. According to a DOT report from the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, ... Deputies to take part in DUI crackdownThe Citizen.com Hands Across the Border DUI Campaign Geared Towards Holiday WeekendWDEF News 12 all 26 news articles »

Catoosa sheriff's deputy investigated for DUI - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Catoosa sheriff's deputy investigated for DUI Chattanooga Times Free Press When the Georgia State Patrol investigated the accident, they arrested Herbert, who was off duty, for driving under the influence, Summers said. ... and more »

Cops to be out in force over holiday - Rockdale Citizen

Cops to be out in force over holiday Rockdale Citizen ?For almost two decades, this DUI enforcement campaign has served as a yearly reminder that law enforcement here in Georgia and in our neighboring states ... and more »

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