Georgia's online renewal process works through the DDS website, but only if your license meets specific requirements

You can renew your Georgia driver's license online through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website if your license is not expired by more than two years, you have no medical conditions flagged on your record, and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $32 for a four-year renewal or $48 for an eight-year renewal, and you pay by credit or debit card. Your new physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

If your license expired more than two years ago, you have medical restrictions, or you need to change your address, you must renew in person at a DDS office instead. The online system will tell you when ready if you are ineligible and direct you to schedule an in-person appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia's online renewal is available only if your current license is not expired by more than two years and has no medical conditions or address changes pending.
  • The online renewal costs $32 for four years or $48 for eight years, paid by credit or debit card at the time of renewal.
  • Your new license card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up in person from an online renewal.
  • If you are ineligible for online renewal, the DDS website will tell you why and let you book an in-person appointment instead.
  • You will need your Social Security number, current Georgia driver's license number, and a valid payment method to start the online process.

What you need before you start the online renewal

Gather your current Georgia driver's license, your Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card. You do not need to print anything or upload documents for a standard online renewal. Have your license in front of you when you begin, because the system will ask you to confirm information printed on it.

If you have changed your address since your last renewal, you cannot complete the renewal online. Stop and schedule an in-person appointment instead, because the DDS system will not let you proceed past the address verification step.

Step-by-step: completing your renewal on the DDS website

Go to dds.georgia.gov and look for the "Renew Your License" button on the homepage. Click it and select "Online Renewal." The system will ask you to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record.

Review the information on screen — name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements. If anything is wrong, stop and call the DDS at 678-413-8400 before continuing, because you cannot correct errors through the online system. If everything matches, check the box confirming you meet the renewal requirements (not expired more than two years, no medical conditions, no address change) and proceed.

Answer the vision and medical history questions honestly. These are the same questions you would answer at an in-person renewal. If you answer "yes" to any medical condition, the system will stop and tell you to renew in person. Enter your payment information, review the total fee, and submit. You will receive a confirmation number by email.

How long it takes and what happens next

The online transaction completes in minutes. The DDS then processes your renewal and mails your new license card to the address on file. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the time DDS ships it, though this can vary depending on your location and mail volume.

You do not receive a temporary license or digital proof of renewal from the online process. If you need to drive before your new card arrives, you can print your confirmation email and carry it with your expired license, though police are not required to accept it as proof of a valid license. If you need to drive when ready, you must renew in person at a DDS office instead.

When you cannot renew online and must go in person

You must renew at a DDS office if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you have any medical conditions or restrictions flagged in the system, if you need to change your address, or if you want to add or remove endorsements (such as a motorcycle endorsement). You also cannot renew online if you are under 18 or if your name has changed since your last renewal.

The DDS website will tell you which category applies to you and will not let you proceed past that point. At that stage, you can schedule an in-person appointment on the same website by selecting "Schedule an Appointment" instead of "Online Renewal."

Payment and fees for Georgia online renewal

A four-year renewal costs $32 and an eight-year renewal costs $48. You pay by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your renewal. The DDS does not accept checks, cash, or money orders for online renewals. Your card is charged when ready after you submit, and you cannot get a refund if you change your mind after payment.

If your payment is declined, the system will tell you why and you can try again with a different card. If you have questions about the fee or believe you were charged in error, contact the DDS at 678-413-8400 during business hours.

Renewing before your license expires versus after

You can renew your Georgia license up to one year before it expires. If you renew early, your new license will be valid for four or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license expired. This means you can renew at any time that is convenient for you without losing time on your license validity.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew online as long as it expired less than two years ago. Once it has been expired for two years or more, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia license online if I wear glasses or contacts?

Yes. The online renewal does not require you to take a vision test. You straightforward confirm on the form whether you wear corrective lenses, and that information is recorded on your new license. If your vision has changed significantly or you are unsure, you can still renew online and update your vision status at your next renewal.

What if the DDS website says I am not may be able to access for online renewal?

The website will tell you the reason — usually that your license is expired more than two years, you have a medical condition on file, or your address has changed. Once you know the reason, you can schedule an in-person appointment on the same website. In-person appointments typically have openings within two to four weeks depending on your location.

Do I get a temporary license while I wait for my new card in the mail?

No. The online renewal does not issue a temporary license. You can print your confirmation email and carry it with your expired license, but this is not an official temporary license and police are not required to accept it. If you need to drive before your new card arrives, you must renew in person at a DDS office instead.

Can I change my address during an online renewal?

No. If your address has changed since your last renewal, you must renew in person. The online system will stop you at the address verification step and direct you to schedule an in-person appointment.

What happens if my payment fails during the online renewal?

The system will tell you the payment was declined and you can try again with a different card. If you do not complete payment, your renewal is not submitted and you are not charged. You can start the process over at any time.