Georgia’s Super Speeder Law Explained

The Georgia Super Speeder law went into effect in 2010. It is part of an effort to discourage unsafe and illegal driving in the state. Under the law, anyone who carries the Super Speeder label can expect heavy fines on top of fees related to a speeding conviction. But what is a “Super Speeder”?

You might be a Super Speeder if you travel at least 75 mph or 85 mph in the state, and there are stipulations for vehicle weights. If you earn the Super Speeder distinction, you will have 120 days past receipt of a notice to avoid extra fees and a suspended license.

Read on to know more about Georgia’s Super Speeder law. For example, how much is the fee for being a Super Speeder, and what are the penalties for not paying it on time? Also, consider the effect a Super Speeder conviction may have on your car insurance.

How does Georgia’s Super Speeder law work?

A Super Speeder is a driver who gets convicted for driving at least 75 mph on a two-lane road or 85 mph on a highway or any other roadway in Georgia. Also, commercial drivers with vehicles that weigh at least 100,000 pounds can violate the law by driving 10 mph past a posted speed limit.

The law applies to Georgia residents and visitors alike, so you should be aware of things like Georgia’s speed limits and its driver point system. You should also know how much a Super Speeder ticket in Georgia costs and how you can pay it if convicted under the law.

Georgia Speed Limits

According to Georgia Code § 40-6-181, these are the maximum speed limits based on the area:

Maximum Speed Limits in Georgia

As you can see, the highest allowable speed limit in Georgia is 70 mph. Of course, cities and municipalities can set their limits, but none may surpass 70 mph or the limits outlined in the state code, based on the area. In other words, anyone driving 75 mph should expect a speeding ticket if they get caught.

How Georgia’s Point System Works

Besides the Super Speeder fine, you need to worry about how many points you accumulate while driving in Georgia. Here is a breakdown of Georgia’s driver point system:

Georgia’s Driver Point System

Most drivers who travel 10 mph past a posted speed limit or drive “too fast for conditions” will not have points added to their Georgia driver’s license. All other traffic violations in the state will garner resident drivers three points, and it takes 15 points within 24 months to suspend a Georgia driver’s license. (For more information, read our “Can you have a driver’s license in two states?“).

Although the state will not add points to your license if you are an out-of-state driver, your home state will likely penalize you based on your infractions in Georgia.

The good news is that a Super Speeder conviction will not add extra points to your license, but you can face a suspension if you fail to pay the fine.

Fines Under the Super Speeder Law

Georgia’s Super Speeder law mandates a $200 penalty on top of any ticket and local fees for speeding in the state. (Speeding and ticket fines vary from city to city and county to county.)

Once convicted of a speeding violation, you will receive a notification about your speeding offense in the mail from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

If you violate the Super Speeder law, you will have 120 days to pay the $200 fine. If you miss your deadline, Georgia will suspend your license (or driving privileges in the state for out-of-state drivers) and add a $50 reinstatement fee.

How to Pay Your Super Speeder Fine

You will need to provide the following information with your payment:

• Your date of birth
• Your driver’s license number
• The state that issued your driver’s license
• The transaction letter mailed with your notice

You can pay the fee by using one of three methods:

• Visit a DDS Customer Service Center and pay in person. You will need to present your Super Speeder notice and pay in cash or with a credit or debit card. DSS centers do not accept checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks.
• Pay by mail. You can mail a check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to the Georgia DDS along with a copy of your Super Speeder notice to Dept. of Driver Services, CLSR, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, Georgia 30013. To pay with a credit card, you need to submit a Credit Card Authorization Form.
• Make an online payment. You can access a portal through the DDS Online Services website.

You cannot pay the Super Speeder fee in court like you would other fines related to speeding. Also, under the law, paid Super Speeder fees should go to Georgia’s trauma care hospital system.

How will a conviction under the Georgia Super Speeder law affect your car insurance?

As the Super Speeder distinction adds no points to your license, the charge alone might not put your car insurance at risk. That said, your car insurance company may penalize you for speeding in general, especially if your speeding results in a crash.

Annual Insurance Rates After a Speeding Conviction or Accident

As you can see, car insurance companies may raise your rates by an average of 13% after one speeding violation and around 33% after your first accident.

Georgia’s Super Speeder Law: The Bottom Line

Whether you are visiting Georgia or a resident, keep the following in mind before you drive in the state:

• Be aware of the speed limits and local laws. Speed limits will vary among cities and counties.
• Make sure that the address on your driver’s license is current. If you fail to update your mailing address, you may not receive a notice about your Super Speeder violation in time to avoid a license suspension.
• Any traffic violation you commit in Georgia might affect your driving privileges in other states. It depends on the traffic violation, the severity, and state laws.

We hope that this look at the Georgia Super Speeder law was helpful. In the meantime, if you would like to know more about driving in Georgia, view our post on Georgia car insurance.