Georgia renewal windows: when your license is may be able to access
You can renew your Georgia driver's license up to one year before it expires. This means if your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can start the renewal process as early as March 15, 2024. Georgia gives you this full year window so you can renew at a time that works for your schedule, without waiting until the last minute.
Your renewal window depends on your birth month and the type of license you hold. Standard Class D licenses expire on your birthday in the year shown on your card — usually four years after you received it. If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), a motorcycle endorsement, or a hazmat endorsement, your renewal dates follow different rules and may require additional testing or medical certification.
You can renew by mail, online, or in person at a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. The method you choose affects how long the process takes and what documents you need to bring, but all three options are available during your one-year renewal window.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia allows you to renew your driver's license anytime during the 12 months before your expiration date, which is printed on the front of your card.
- Your expiration date is tied to your birth month for standard licenses, so you can plan ahead by checking your card now.
- Online renewal is the fastest option for most people and takes about 10 minutes, but you must have a valid Social Security number and a Georgia address on file.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license, but you do not need to visit an office.
- In-person renewal at a DDS office is required if your license is expired, if you need to update your photo, or if you have a CDL or motorcycle endorsement.
How to find your expiration date
Your expiration date is printed on the front of your Georgia driver's license in the bottom right corner. It appears as a date in the format MM/DD/YYYY. This is the date your license stops being valid for driving, and it is also the date your one-year renewal window opens.
If you cannot locate your physical license or the date is hard to read, you can check your expiration date online through the Georgia DDS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the DDS at 678-413-8400 to confirm your expiration date over the phone.
Online renewal: the fastest option for most people
Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website is available if your license is not expired and you meet a few basic requirements. You must have a valid Social Security number on file with Georgia, a current Georgia address, and a valid email address. The process takes about 10 minutes and you receive your new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
To renew online, visit the Georgia DDS website, select "Renew Your License," and follow the prompts to verify your identity and pay the renewal fee. You will need your current driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once you complete the transaction, you do not need to visit an office or mail anything in — your new license will arrive at your Georgia address automatically.
Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal and your new license is valid when ready upon approval, even though the physical card takes a week or so to arrive. You can continue driving with your current license until the new one arrives.
Mail renewal: no office visit required
Mail renewal is an option if your license is not expired and you do not need to update your photo or address. To renew by mail, you must request a renewal form from the Georgia DDS, fill it out, and mail it back along with your current driver's license and the renewal fee.
You can request a renewal form by calling the DDS at 678-413-8400 or by visiting a DDS office in person. Once you receive the form, fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it to the address printed on the form along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DDS receives your packet.
Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but useful if you prefer not to visit an office or if you have internet access issues. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file with the DDS.
In-person renewal at a DDS office
In-person renewal is required if your license is expired, if you need to update your photo, if you are renewing a CDL or motorcycle endorsement, or if you prefer to complete the process face-to-face. You can visit any Georgia DDS office during business hours with your current license, proof of Georgia residency, and payment for the renewal fee.
Bring your current driver's license and one document that proves your current Georgia address, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you are updating your photo, the DDS will take a new one at the office at no extra cost. In-person renewal usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and your new license is issued on the spot or mailed to you within a few days, depending on the office.
Wait times at DDS offices vary by location and time of day. You can check wait times on the Georgia DDS website before you visit, and some offices offer online appointment scheduling to reduce your time in the office.
Renewal fees and payment methods
Georgia driver's license renewal fees depend on the type of license and how long you are renewing it for. A standard Class D license renewal costs $32 for a four-year renewal. If you are renewing a CDL, motorcycle endorsement, or hazmat endorsement, fees are higher and vary by endorsement type.
You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check, depending on your renewal method. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal at a DDS office accepts cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Make checks payable to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
What happens if you renew late or let your license expire
If you miss your renewal window and your license expires, you can no longer drive legally in Georgia. Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation and fines. However, you can still renew your expired license — the one-year renewal window does not close after your expiration date.
To renew an expired license, you must visit a Georgia DDS office in person. You cannot renew by mail or online once your license has expired. Bring your expired license, proof of Georgia residency, and payment for the renewal fee. The office will take a new photo and issue your renewed license. There is no additional penalty fee for renewing late, but you should renew as soon as possible to avoid driving without a valid license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia license if I moved out of state?
No. Georgia only renews licenses for people with a current Georgia address. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. You can surrender your Georgia license to the DDS or straightforward stop using it.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Not necessarily. If you renew online or by mail, your current photo stays on your license. If you renew in person at a DDS office, you can request a new photo, but it is not required unless your license is expired or your appearance has changed significantly.
How long is my new license valid after I renew?
Your new Georgia driver's license is valid for four years from the date of renewal. Your new expiration date will be printed on the front of your card and will be four years from your renewal date, not from your old expiration date.
What if I have a CDL or motorcycle endorsement?
CDL and motorcycle endorsement renewals have different rules and may require a medical certificate, written test, or road test depending on your endorsement type. You must renew these in person at a DDS office. Contact the Georgia DDS before your renewal window opens to find out what documents and tests you need.
Can I renew if my name has changed since my last license?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a DDS office and bring a document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will update your name and issue a new license with your current name.