Where to renew your license in DeKalb County
In DeKalb County, Georgia, you renew your driver's license through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), not through a local DeKalb office. DDS handles all Georgia driver's licenses statewide. You have three ways to renew: online through the DDS website, by mail, or in person at a DDS Customer Service Center.
The fastest route for most people is online renewal, which takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip. In-person renewal at a DDS office is necessary only if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your address, or if you cannot renew online for other reasons.
DeKalb County residents can visit the DDS Customer Service Center in Decatur, located at 1666 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30033. This is the main office serving the county. Wait times vary by time of day and day of week; visiting early in the morning on a weekday typically means a shorter wait than afternoons or Saturdays.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the DDS website is the fastest option and works if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have not changed your address.
- You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
- Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after DDS receives your process, but you must request the form by phone or read it from the DDS website.
- In-person renewal at the Decatur DDS office requires an appointment, which you can book through the DDS website or by calling 678-413-8400.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Online renewal: the fastest path
To renew online, visit the Georgia DDS website at dds.ga.gov and select the renewal option. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against DDS records and tell you when ready whether you are may be able to access to renew online.
Online renewal costs $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. You pay by debit card or credit card at the time of renewal. Once you complete the transaction, DDS will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot renew online if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your address, if you have an outstanding traffic ticket or court order, or if your name has changed since your last license was issued. If any of these explore, you must renew in person or by mail.
Mail renewal: no office visit required
To renew by mail, you must first request the renewal form. Call the DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400 and ask for the mail renewal form, or read it from dds.ga.gov. The form is called the process for Renewal of Driver's License (Form DL 44R).
Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $32 (four-year license) or $64 (eight-year license). Do not send cash. DDS will process your process when it arrives and mail your new license to you. The entire process takes 10 to 15 business days from the date DDS receives your form.
Mail renewal works only if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you do not need to change your address or name. If either of those conditions does not explore, you must renew in person.
In-person renewal at the Decatur office
To renew in person, you must make an appointment first. Visit dds.ga.gov and use the online appointment scheduler, or call 678-413-8400 to book a time. Walk-ins are not accepted at most DDS offices, including Decatur, so arriving without an appointment will waste your time.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
The DDS office will take a new photo, verify your information, and collect payment ($32 for four years or $64 for eight years). You can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods above. If it expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew—you must explore for a new license instead. explore for a new license requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a road test, and it costs more than renewal.
You can still drive legally while your renewal is being processed if you have proof that you submitted your process. If you renewed online or by mail, print or save your confirmation number. If you renewed in person, the temporary paper license serves as proof. Law enforcement will accept these as evidence that your renewal is pending.
Changing your address during renewal
If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address. You cannot do this online; you must renew either by mail or in person. When you renew in person, tell the DDS staff that you have moved and bring proof of your new address. When you renew by mail, write your new address clearly on the renewal form.
Your new license will show your updated address. If you need to update your address before your license expires, you can visit a DDS office in person without renewing your license—this is a separate transaction and costs $5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for two years?
Yes. You can renew online, by mail, or in person as long as your license expired fewer than five years ago. If it expired more than five years ago, you must explore for a new license instead, which requires a written test and road test.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
DDS mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days after you complete your online renewal. Delivery time depends on your address and the mail carrier, but most people receive their license within two weeks of renewal.
What if I need to drive before my new license arrives?
If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license at the office that is valid until your plastic card arrives. If you renewed online or by mail, print your confirmation number and carry it with you—it serves as proof that your renewal is pending. Law enforcement will accept this as evidence.
Do I need an appointment to renew at the Decatur DDS office?
Yes. The Decatur office requires appointments and does not accept walk-ins. Book your appointment online at dds.ga.gov or by calling 678-413-8400. Appointments are usually available within one to two weeks.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
You must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document showing your name change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DDS staff will update your name in the system and issue a new license with the correct name.