Out-of-state Drivers & Traffic Violations in Georgia

Navigating traffic violations in Georgia can be particularly challenging for out-of-state drivers who may not be familiar with the specifics of local driving laws. At Michael Fulcher Law in Morgan County, Georgia, we specialize in assisting drivers from other states in understanding and resolving their traffic-related legal issues.

Whether it’s speeding, failing to maintain lane, or more serious offenses, our experienced team is here to provide expert legal guidance and representation. Let us help you manage the complexities of Georgia’s traffic laws to ensure your driving record remains clean and your penalties are minimized.

How Will A Traffic Ticket in Georgia Affect My Out-of-State Driver’s License?

You were visiting or driving through the great state of Georgia when all of a sudden – you got pulled over for speeding or some other traffic violation!

What happens now? Will you have to come back here for court? What happens if you just pay it online? Will it put points on your driver’s license back home? What about your insurance?

The answers all depend on where you’re from and what type of ticket you got.

Will I have to come back to Georgia for my traffic ticket court date?

Not necessarily. If it is a minor traffic violation, like a speeding ticket, a local GA attorney can usually handle it without you having to appear in court.

More serious charges, such as DUI, Hit and Run, or Driving With a Suspended License, almost always require at least one court appearance, though. Having a free consultation with an experienced local traffic ticket lawyer can help you determine if you will need to hire an attorney or handle it yourself.

Can I pay my Georgia traffic ticket online?

Yes you can.

However, that may result in points being added to your license in your home state, additional super speeder penalties being levied, or even a suspension of your license. It all depends on the points system in your home state and whether the citation result is transmitted to them once your case is resolved.

If your state is stricter than Georgia, you could face stiffer penalties down the road if your Georgia citation is not handled correctly.

Can I prevent points from being added on to my license?

Whether points are added to your license depends on your home state’s rules. In Georgia, certain infractions—like driving less than 15 mph over the limit—don’t result in points, while other states may penalize even minor speeding violations. A skilled Georgia traffic ticket attorney can assess your state’s system and work to minimize the long-term impact of your ticket.

What if I plead “nolo” or “no contest” in Georgia?

A ‘nolo contendre’ plea or a plea of ‘no contest’ is still considered a guilty plea in most jurisdictions. In Georgia, a nolo plea can keep points from going on your license (You get to use this option once every five years) however, other states do not have to honor that arrangement, and most do not. So you still end up with points.

Can I keep points from going on my license?

Again, it depends on your home state’s rules. Some states, like Georgia, do not assign points for certain violations, such as speeding below 15 mph over the limit, Too Fast For Conditions, or Improper Equipment. Other states give points for a ticket even just 1 mph over the limit and everything else too! An experienced Georgia traffic ticket attorney can research your home state’s point system and factor that into negotiating a resolution with the court that may eliminate or minimize the long term consequences of your ticket.

What Do I Do First if I Get a Traffic Ticket in Georgia?

If you have received a speeding ticket or other traffic violation citation in Morgan, Greene, Putnam, Jasper, Newton, Oconee, or Taliaferro county, call Michael Fulcher Law today for a free consultation to determine if you need to hire an attorney and what the possible consequences of your ticket would be if you handled it yourself. Remember, you don’t always need a lawyer for a traffic ticket but having one those times you do can make all the difference.