What documents to bring to the Georgia DMV

To renew your Georgia driver's license, you will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current license. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires specific documents in each category — bringing the wrong ones will delay your renewal, so check the list before you go.

For proof of identity, bring your current Georgia driver's license or one of these: a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a certified birth certificate. If you have changed your name since your license was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal name change.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your current Georgia address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, or a government-issued document with your address. A mail piece from a government agency counts, but a piece of mail forwarded to your new address does not.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your current Georgia driver's license, one form of identity proof, and one document showing your current address dated within the last 60 days.
  • If you have changed your name, bring the legal document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • You can renew in person at any Georgia DDS office, by mail if your license has not expired more than two years ago, or online if you meet certain conditions.
  • Georgia charges a renewal fee that varies depending on whether you renew for four or eight years; the fee is the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online.
  • If you wear corrective lenses, bring your glasses or contacts, because the vision test is part of the renewal process.

Renewing in person at a DDS office

Walk-in renewals are available at any Georgia DDS location, but wait times vary widely by office and time of day. You can find your nearest office and check current wait times on the Georgia DDS website. Bring all required documents, your current license, and payment for the renewal fee.

The in-person process takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you are called. You will have your photo taken, pass a vision test, and answer questions about your address and any medical conditions. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, wear them to the appointment so the vision test is accurate. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Renewing by mail

Georgia allows mail renewal only if your license has not expired more than two years ago. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person or online.

To renew by mail, complete the DDS Form DL 44 (process for Renewal of Driver's License), include a copy of your proof of identity and proof of residency, and mail everything with your payment to the Georgia DDS. The address is on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks after DDS receives your process, and your new license will be mailed to you.

Mail renewal is slower than in-person or online renewal, and if DDS needs more information or finds an issue with your documents, the process will take longer. You cannot renew by mail if you need to update your photo, change your address, or correct information on your license.

Renewing online

Georgia offers online renewal through the DDS website if you meet all of these conditions: your license is not expired, you have not changed your address, you do not need a new photo, you are not a commercial driver, and you do not have any medical restrictions or violations on your record. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person.

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes. You will create an account, answer questions about your current information, pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card, and submit your process. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access.

Understanding Georgia renewal fees and license validity periods

Georgia charges a renewal fee based on how long you want your new license to be valid. You can renew for four years or eight years; the eight-year license costs more. The exact fee amounts change periodically, so check the Georgia DDS website for current pricing before you go to renew.

Your new license will be valid starting on the date you renew, not on the expiration date of your old license. If you renew early — before your current license expires — your new license will still start on the renewal date, so you will not get extra time added to your license period.

What to do if your name has changed

If you have married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your license was issued, bring the document that proves the change. This can be a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order. The document must be an official copy, not a photocopy you made yourself.

If you are renewing by mail or online and your name has changed, you must renew in person instead, because DDS needs to see the original legal document. Bring it to any DDS office along with your other required documents.

What happens if you renew with incorrect information

If you discover after renewal that your new license has wrong information — a misspelled name, an incorrect address, or a wrong date of birth — contact the Georgia DDS right away. You can request a correction by mail or in person. Some corrections are free; others may have a small fee. Do not wait to correct it, because using an ID with wrong information can cause problems with law enforcement, banks, and government agencies.

If you realize before you leave the DDS office that something is wrong, tell the staff member before you leave. They can often fix it on the spot or tell you the fastest way to correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia license if it has been expired for more than two years?

No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license expired more than two years ago. You must renew in person at a Georgia DDS office. Bring all required documents, including proof of identity and proof of residency, just as you would for a new license.

Do I need to take a new written test to renew my license?

No, you do not take a written test for renewal. You will take a vision test and answer questions about your address and medical history, but the written knowledge test is not part of renewal. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license, the rules may be different.

What if I do not have a utility bill or lease for proof of residency?

You can use a bank statement, credit card statement, property tax bill, or any government-issued document showing your current address, as long as it is dated within the last 60 days. If you have none of these, contact the Georgia DDS to ask what other documents they will accept.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

If you renew in person or online, your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, processing takes two to three weeks after DDS receives your process, plus mailing time. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.

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

Yes, you can renew. Wear your glasses or contacts to your renewal appointment so you pass the vision test. If you do not wear them during the test and you fail, you may be required to get a new test or update your license to show that you must wear corrective lenses while driving.