Where to renew your license in Cobb County
Cobb County has three Department of Driver Services (DDS) locations where you can renew in person. The main office is at 1355 South Cobb Drive in Marietta. There is also a location at 2851 Cobb Parkway Southeast in Smyrna, and a third at 4400 Austell Road in Austell. All three handle standard renewals, but hours vary by location, so check the Georgia DDS website or call ahead before you go.
You can also renew online through the Georgia DDS website if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be suspended or revoked, you cannot have any medical restrictions, and your license must not have expired more than two years ago. Online renewal takes about five business days and costs less than renewing in person.
If you cannot visit an office or renew online, you can renew by mail. You will need to submit your current license, a completed process form (DL 44), and the renewal fee. Mail your packet to the Georgia DDS address listed on their website. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Cobb County has three DDS offices in Marietta, Smyrna, and Austell where you can renew your license in person during business hours.
- Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website is the fastest and cheapest option if your license is not suspended, has no medical restrictions, and expired less than two years ago.
- You must bring your current license, proof of residency, and a valid form of identification to renew in person.
- Renewal fees in Georgia vary based on the length of your new license (typically three, five, or eight years), so confirm the current cost before you visit.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to take a written test and vision test in addition to renewing.
Documents you need to bring
For an in-person renewal at any Cobb County DDS office, bring your current Georgia driver's license. You will also need one form of proof of residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. A cell phone bill does not count.
You must also bring a valid form of identification. Your passport, military ID, or a certified birth certificate will work. If you are renewing under a different name than your current license (due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the court order or marriage certificate that documents the change.
If you are renewing a license that has been expired for more than two years, you will need to pass a vision test at the DDS office. Bring your glasses or contacts if you use them. You may also be required to take a written test on Georgia traffic laws, depending on how long your license has been expired.
Online renewal step by step
Start at the Georgia DDS website and select "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your information against state records.
Answer questions about any changes to your address, medical conditions, or organ donor status. If everything matches your records, you will be asked to pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. The fee depends on how long your new license will be valid — typically $32 for a three-year renewal, $48 for five years, or $64 for eight years, though these amounts can change.
After you pay, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within five business days. You can use your confirmation number as a temporary license if you need to drive before the physical card arrives.
In-person renewal at a Cobb County office
Arrive at your chosen DDS office with all required documents. Take a number at the front desk and wait to be called. The process usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is. Mornings on weekdays tend to be less crowded than afternoons or weekends.
A DDS employee will review your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to sign the process. You will pay the renewal fee at the counter. If your vision test is required, you will take it at a station in the office — it takes about two minutes and checks whether you can read a standard eye chart.
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is printed and mailed. Your new license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, the temporary license is your proof.
Renewing by mail
Request a renewal process form (DL 44) from the Georgia DDS website or call the main Cobb County office to have one mailed to you. Complete the form with your current information and sign it.
Place your current license, the completed form, and a check or money order for the renewal fee in an envelope. Mail it to the address shown on the DDS website. Do not send cash. Include a return address so the DDS can send your new license back to you.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the DDS receives your packet. There is no temporary license issued by mail, so plan ahead if you need to drive during this time. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you technically cannot drive legally, so mail renewal works best if your license is not expiring soon.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than two years
If your Georgia license expired more than two years ago, you cannot straightforward renew it — you must reapply as if getting a new license. This means you will need to pass a written test on Georgia traffic laws and a vision test. You cannot do this online or by mail; you must visit a DDS office in person.
Bring all the same documents as a standard renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and a valid form of ID. You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). At the office, you will take the written test on a computer — it covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You have 40 minutes to answer 40 questions and must score at least 70 percent to pass.
After you pass the written test, you will take the vision test. If you pass both, you can pay the fee and have your photo taken. Your new license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days.
Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts
Georgia allows you to choose how long your new license will be valid: three years, five years, or eight years. The longer the validity period, the higher the fee. As of the most recent update, a three-year renewal costs around $32, a five-year renewal around $48, and an eight-year renewal around $64. These fees can change, so confirm the current amount before you pay.
If you are over 65 years old, you may be able to renew for a shorter period at a lower cost. Ask the DDS employee about senior renewal options when you visit or check the Georgia DDS website.
Your new license will have an expiration date printed on it. You can renew again anytime within 12 months before that date. If you wait until after it expires, the rules for expired licenses explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Cobb County license at a DDS office in a different Georgia county?
Yes. Any DDS office in Georgia can renew your license, regardless of which county you live in. If you are traveling or find it more convenient, you can visit an office in Atlanta, Gwinnett, or any other county. Bring the same documents you would bring to a Cobb County office.
What if I have a suspended or revoked license?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first contact the Georgia DDS to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. This may involve paying a reinstatement fee, completing a defensive driving course, or filing an SR22 form. Once your license is restored, you can then renew it.
Do I need a Real ID to renew my driver's license in Georgia?
No. A standard Georgia driver's license is not a Real ID. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star), you must bring additional documents: a certified birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, and two forms of proof of residency. Real ID renewal costs more and takes longer, but it is required for federal building access and domestic air travel after May 2025.
How long does it take to get my renewed license if I renew in person?
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days on the day you renew. Your permanent card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Cobb County DDS office with your confirmation number.
Can I renew my license if I have moved out of Georgia?
No. You must hold a valid Georgia address to renew a Georgia license. If you have moved to another state, you need to get a license in your new state instead. If you have moved within Georgia, update your address when you renew.