If you miss your court date in Georgia, a Failure to Appear (FTA) can result in a Driver License Suspension. The Georgia Department of Driver Services often suspends licenses for failing to respond to or resolve a traffic citation. However, there are ways to prevent a suspension and even reinstate your license if it was suspended for an FTA. The information below will help you know your rights, and protect your driver license when facing an FTA. If you have more questions, call our office today to find out how we can help release your FTA and get your license back!
When is my court date?
If you received a traffic citation, your court date will be included in the fine print. Because the ink on traffic citations often fade, it is important to save the date as soon as you receive your citation. Also, the only mailing address the court will use to contact you is the address listed on your traffic citation. Likewise, if you change addresses it is your responsibility to notify the court of the address change.
What happens when I miss my court date?
If you miss court, and the Judge does not reschedule your court date, a Failure to Appear (FTA) notice is sent to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). As a result, DDS will suspend your license 28 days after you receive notice of your missed court date.
Can I appear in court after my Failure to Appear?
Yes. If you or your lawyer address the Failure to Appear before the DDS suspension takes effect, you can prevent the license suspension. However, after DDS suspends your license you must apply and pay for a license reinstatement.
How do I prove to DDS that I resolved my Failure to Appear?
Ask the court to electronically submitted your FTA release to DDS, and ask for a copy. The FTA release by the court will order your reinstatement. In some events, your lawyer may even convince a judge to waive your reinstatement fee.
How do I reinstate my Out-Of-State Driver License after an FTA in Georgia?
A Georgia Court will not electronically submit an FTA release to an out-of-state licensing agency. For that reason, request a copy of the release from court and submit it to your out-of-state driver’s license agency.
Will an Out-of-State FTA impact my GA Driver License?
Yes. You need to provide proof of resolving your out-of-state Failure to Appear to the GA DDS. Your reinstatement fee will be determined based on the date you resolved your out-of-town Failure to Appear.
Do the Courts and DDS always get it right?
Absolutely not. You need to act to protect your driver license. A Failure to Appear Driver License Suspension can become a complex mess. If you need help, call our office today to speak with a lawyer and get your license back!