As of July 1, 2008, the Georgia Department of Driver Services changed its “look-back” period of time for purposes of suspending and revoking driver’s licenses.

Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right, and the DDS has the authority to rescind, cancel, suspend and revoke a driver’s license for certain criminal and civil behavior.

The “look-back” period used to be five years. This means that DDS would examine the driving infractions and civil problems of a driver for five years to determine how long a driver’s suspension period would last. As of July 1, 2008, the look-back is now ten years.

Drivers who suffer a suspension due to nonpayment of child support or nonpayment of a civil award who continue to drive will face harsher consequences for TEN years. (Usually, a driver qualifies for a work permit during the suspension period.)

Drivers who allow insurance to lapse can avoid a suspension by operation of law by pleading nolo contendere, once every TEN years. Drivers who continue to drive while uninsured suffer increasingly lengthy suspensions.

Drivers who are convicted of, or plead nolo contendere to DUI, Hit and Run, Fleeing and Eluding an Officer, Racing, any felony in which a motor vehicle is used, most drug violations even if a motor vehicle is not used, Vehicular Homicide and Serious Injury by DUI or Reckless Driving must keep a clean driving record for TEN years following a conviction, or face longer and more severe suspension and revocation times.

Drivers who are under 21 at the time of an initial suspension must watch out for points accumulation more vigilantly. As the Crosby, Stills & Nash song goes, teach your children well.