Georgia DUI Risk Reduction Course: Does It Remove Points?

Georgia's DUI Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program is a state-mandated educational course required after any DUI conviction, regardless of BAC level or whether it's a first or subsequent offense. Completing the program is a condition of license reinstatement—not an optional step to reduce points or lower your insurance rate. The course runs 20 hours over multiple sessions and costs approximately $355 through state-approved providers. Georgia does not assign numeric points to DUI convictions. A DUI triggers an automatic license suspension—12 months for a first offense under Georgia Code § 40-5-63—and the Risk Reduction Program is one of several requirements to reinstate. Other reinstatement conditions include paying a $210 restoration fee, filing proof of insurance, and serving any court-ordered suspension period. The program itself does not remove the DUI from your driving record or shorten the lookback period carriers use to set rates. Carriers typically surcharge a DUI for three to five years from the conviction date. The Risk Reduction Program certificate confirms compliance with state reinstatement rules, but it does not trigger a rate reduction. Most carriers treat a DUI as a non-surchargeable violation only after the full lookback period expires, and some non-standard carriers extend that window to seven years under current underwriting guidelines.

A first-offense DUI in Georgia triggers a 12-month hard suspension for drivers over 21. The suspension begins on the conviction date or the date you refuse a chemical test under Georgia's implied consent law. During the first 120 days, no restricted license or work permit is available. After 120 days, you can apply for a limited driving permit if you enroll in the Risk Reduction Program, install an ignition interlock device, and pay the permit fee. The limited permit allows travel to work, school, medical appointments, and the Risk Reduction Program itself. The ignition interlock requirement lasts a minimum of 12 months for a first offense, measured from the permit issuance date, not the conviction date. Reinstating full driving privileges requires completing the Risk Reduction Program, serving the full suspension period, submitting an SR-22 filing from your carrier, and paying the $210 restoration fee to Georgia DDS. A second DUI within five years triggers a three-year license suspension with no hardship permit available for the first 18 months. The Risk Reduction Program requirement still applies, but reinstatement also requires proof of completion of a clinical evaluation and any recommended substance abuse treatment. Most carriers will not quote a driver with two DUIs within five years—this typically moves you into the non-standard market where monthly premiums range from $250 to $450 depending on vehicle and coverage limits.

A first-offense DUI in Georgia increases your insurance rate by 60% to 120% on average, depending on your carrier and coverage history before the conviction. If you were paying $140 per month for full coverage before the DUI, expect your renewal quote to land between $225 and $310 per month. Preferred carriers like State Farm and GEICO typically non-renew policies after a DUI conviction, forcing you into the standard or non-standard market where base rates are higher even before the DUI surcharge applies. Georgia requires SR-22 filing for three years after a DUI conviction. The SR-22 is not insurance—it's a certificate your carrier files with Georgia DDS confirming you carry at least the state minimum liability limits of 25/50/25. Most carriers charge a $25 to $50 annual filing fee for SR-22, and the filing requirement resets to day one if your policy lapses for any reason during the three-year period. A lapse triggers an immediate license suspension and requires starting the SR-22 clock over. Carriers writing non-standard auto insurance in Georgia include The General, Acceptance Insurance, and National General. These carriers specialize in high-risk drivers and quote policies with higher base rates but more flexible underwriting for DUI convictions. Monthly premiums for state minimum liability with SR-22 filing typically range from $120 to $200. Full coverage with collision and comprehensive adds $80 to $150 per month depending on vehicle value and deductible selection.

No defensive driving course or traffic school removes a DUI conviction from your Georgia driving record. The DUI remains visible to carriers and the Georgia DDS for at least seven years under current reporting rules. The Risk Reduction Program satisfies the state's reinstatement requirement, but it does not qualify as a point-reduction course because Georgia does not assign numeric points to DUI offenses. Georgia does allow a defensive driving course to reduce up to seven points from your record for speeding tickets and moving violations—but only once every five years, and only for violations that carry points under Georgia Code § 40-5-57. DUI is excluded from this program. Completing an approved defensive driving course after a DUI provides no DMV benefit and does not accelerate the end of your insurance surcharge period. Some carriers offer a small discount—typically 5% to 10%—for completing a defensive driving course, even if the course does not remove points. This discount applies to your base rate, not the DUI surcharge itself, so the net savings on a high-risk policy may be $10 to $20 per month. Not all non-standard carriers honor defensive driving discounts, and the discount usually expires after three years, requiring you to retake the course to maintain it.

If your license is currently suspended, enroll in the DUI Risk Reduction Program immediately. Approved providers are listed on the Georgia DDS website, and most offer weekend and evening sessions to accommodate work schedules. Completing the program early does not shorten your suspension, but it clears one of the reinstatement requirements and allows you to apply for a limited permit after the first 120 days. Call your current carrier before your renewal date to confirm whether they will renew your policy after the DUI conviction. Most preferred carriers non-renew at the first renewal following a DUI, giving you 30 to 45 days to find replacement coverage. If you wait until the non-renewal notice arrives, you will have less time to shop and may face a coverage lapse that triggers a new suspension. Non-standard carriers can bind coverage immediately once you provide proof of SR-22 filing and pay the first month's premium. Shop at least three non-standard carriers. Rate variation for DUI drivers in Georgia is significant—quotes for the same coverage can differ by $100 per month or more depending on the carrier's current appetite for DUI risk and your vehicle type. Request quotes for state minimum liability first, then add collision and comprehensive only if your vehicle is worth more than $5,000. Dropping full coverage on an older vehicle can reduce your monthly cost by $80 to $120, and many lenders will accept liability-only coverage once the loan balance falls below a certain threshold.