Impaired Driving Laws and Penalties for Georgia Drivers

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious issue for Georgia law enforcement officers. In fact, impaired driving is the target of a major safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of serious car and truck accident injuries and fatalities caused by reckless driver behavior.

There are a variety of penalties for drivers apprehended while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties vary depending on the number of offenses and judges have some latitude in sentencing drivers found guilty of DUI.

Penalties for a First Offense

First time penalties and fines are more lenient than those for later offenses, but are still intended to punish an offender for making a very serious driving mistake.

• Possible jail time for up to one year
• Minimum fine of $300, maximum fine of $1,000
• Up to one year license suspension
• 40 hours of community service
• License reinstatement fee of $210

Second Offense within Five Years of First Offense

Penalties and fines for a driver’s second impaired driving offense (if within five years of the first offense) increase in order to punish drivers and deter them from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol a third time.

• Mandatory jail time, minimum of 48 hours, possible to receive sentence of 90 days to one year
• Minimum fine of $600, maximum fine of $1,000
• Three-year license suspension
• License reinstatement fee of $210
• Minimum 30 days community service
• Mandatory clinical evaluation. If the evaluation determines that substance abuse is a problem, the offender must complete a substance abuse treatment program at the offender’s expense

Third Offense within Five Years of Second Offense

Drivers again charged with impaired driving within five years of their second impaired driving offense are classified as habitual violators. The penalties for a habitual violator are very serious and intended to keep the driver off the road until they can be rehabilitated.

• Mandatory jail time, minimum 15 days
• Minimum $1,000 fine, maximum of $5,000 fine
• Loss of license for five years
• Mandatory community service, minimum of 30 days
• Publication of violator’s name, photo, and address in the local newspaper at the violator’s expense
• Classified as a habitual violator
• License plates from the offender’s vehicle seized and sent to the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety
• Mandatory clinical evaluation and if indicated required completion of a substance abuse treatment program at the offender’s expense

If you have been involved in a serious car or truck accident caused by an impaired driver then you deserve justice. Please contact the law offices of Kaufman Law to discuss your case for no cost and no obligation.

Kaufman Law, P.C.

12 Beck Street, N.W.

Atlanta, GA. 30318

Toll Free: (888) 973-2540

Phone: (404) 355-4000