What You'll Pay for a Georgia Driver's License

A Georgia driver's license costs $32 for an eight-year license if you are 21 or older. If you are under 21, the license costs $20 and expires on your 21st birthday. These are the base fees charged by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) when you obtain a new license or renew an existing one.

The fee covers the license card itself and the processing of your process. If you need a replacement card because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, you will pay the same fee as a renewal — there is no separate replacement fee. However, if you are renewing by mail or online, some counties may charge an additional service fee of $2 to $5, depending on the county's processing method.

Georgia does not charge separate fees for different license types (standard, REAL ID, or commercial). The $32 or $20 fee applies regardless of which type you are obtaining. If you need a REAL ID-compliant license, you will pay the standard fee but must bring additional documents to prove your identity and residency.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Georgia driver's license for adults costs $32 for an eight-year term, and licenses for people under 21 cost $20 and expire on their 21st birthday.
  • Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards cost the same as renewal fees with no additional charge.
  • REAL ID licenses cost the same $32 fee but require you to bring original or certified copies of documents proving identity and Georgia residency.
  • Some counties charge an additional $2 to $5 service fee if you renew by mail or online, so confirm the total cost with your county office before submitting payment.
  • Payment methods vary by location: in-person visits accept cash, check, and card; online and mail renewals typically require a card or check.

How Payment Works at the DDS Office

When you visit a Georgia DDS office in person, you pay the license fee at the time you submit your process. The office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Some locations may also accept checks, but this varies by office, so call ahead if you plan to pay by check.

You must pay before your process is processed. If you do not complete payment, your process will not move forward and you will need to return another day. There are no payment plans or deferred payment options — the full fee is due at the time of service.

If you are renewing in person and your license is not expiring within 30 days, you can renew up to one year early without paying an additional fee. The eight-year term runs from the date you renew, not from your original expiration date.

Renewing by Mail or Online

Georgia allows certain drivers to renew by mail or through the DDS website without visiting an office. Mail renewal costs the standard $32 fee plus postage for returning your old license. Online renewal through the DDS website also costs $32, and you pay by debit or credit card at the time you submit your process.

Some Georgia counties charge an additional service fee of $2 to $5 when you renew by mail or online. This fee goes to the county for processing and is separate from the state DDS fee. Before you renew, check with your county's DDS office or the state website to confirm whether your county charges this extra fee.

Online renewal is faster than mail renewal — you typically receive your new license within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer because your process must be mailed to the DDS processing center and your new license must be mailed back to you, which can take 2 to 3 weeks.

REAL ID Licenses and Passport Cards

A REAL ID-compliant Georgia driver's license costs the same $32 as a standard license. The difference is not in the fee but in the documents you must bring to prove your identity and residency. REAL ID licenses are required for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.

Georgia also offers a passport card, which is a separate product issued by the U.S. State Department, not the DDS. A passport card costs $130 and is used for travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean by land or sea. It is not a driver's license and does not replace one.

If you want both a REAL ID driver's license and a passport card, you will pay both fees separately. The passport card process is submitted to the State Department, not to the DDS, and has its own processing timeline and requirements.

Commercial Driver's License Fees

A Georgia commercial driver's license (CDL) costs $32 for the license card itself, the same as a standard license. However, you must also pay for a CDL knowledge test and a skills test if you are obtaining a CDL for the first time. These tests are not included in the $32 fee.

The knowledge test costs approximately $10 to $15, depending on the testing location. The skills test (the driving test) is administered by a third-party examiner and costs between $50 and $100. These test fees are in addition to the $32 license fee, so a new CDL can cost $90 to $145 total.

If you already hold a CDL and are renewing it, you pay only the $32 renewal fee unless your medical certification has expired or you need to add or remove endorsements. Adding an endorsement (such as hazmat or tanker) may require an additional test and fee.

Duplicate and Corrected License Fees

If you need a duplicate license because your original was lost, stolen, or damaged, you pay the full renewal fee of $32. Georgia does not charge a lower fee for duplicates — the cost is the same as renewing your license.

If your license has an error on it (such as a misspelled name or wrong address), you can request a corrected license. A corrected license also costs $32. You must bring proof of the correct information, such as a birth certificate or utility bill, depending on what is being corrected.

If the error was made by the DDS, some offices may waive the fee, but this is not may provide. Contact your local DDS office to ask whether the error was their mistake before paying for a corrected license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the full $32 fee if I renew early?

Yes. Georgia charges the full $32 renewal fee regardless of when you renew, as long as your license is not expiring within 30 days. You can renew up to one year early without penalty, but you still pay the full fee. Your new eight-year term begins on the date you renew.

What if I cannot afford the $32 fee right now?

Georgia does not offer payment plans or fee waivers for driver's licenses based on income. The full $32 fee is due at the time of service. If your license has expired, you cannot legally drive until you renew and pay the fee. Contact your local DDS office if you have questions about your specific situation.

Is there a fee to change my address on my license?

No. You can update your address at a DDS office or online without paying a fee, as long as you do not need a new license card printed. If you request a new card with your updated address, you pay the full $32 renewal fee. Address-only changes do not require a fee.

Do I pay extra for a REAL ID license?

No. A REAL ID license costs the same $32 as a standard license. You do not pay an upgrade fee. However, you must bring original or certified documents proving your identity and Georgia residency, which you may not have needed for a standard license.

What happens if I pay the wrong amount?

If you underpay at a DDS office, your process will not be processed and you will need to return with the correct amount. If you overpay, the DDS will not issue a refund — the overpayment is kept. Always confirm the exact fee with the office before you pay.