How to Renew Your Georgia Driver's License

Renew Your Georgia License Online, by Mail, or In Person

You can renew your Georgia driver's license in three ways: online through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a DDS office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change. Mail renewal works only if your license is not yet expired and you have not moved out of state. In-person renewal is required if your license is already expired, if you need a Real ID, or if you have had a name change since your last license.

Georgia licenses expire on your birthday, five years after they were issued. You can begin the renewal process up to six months before your expiration date. The state does not send renewal reminders, so you need to track your own expiration date — it appears on the front of your license.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website takes about 10 minutes and is available if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name.
Mail renewal requires a completed form, a check or money order, and a new photo, and works only if your license is not yet expired.
In-person renewal at a DDS office is required if your license is expired, if you want a Real ID, or if you have had a name change.
Georgia driver's licenses expire on your birthday, five years after issue, and you can start the renewal process up to six months early.
A standard renewal costs $32 for a five-year license; Real ID costs $50 and requires proof of citizenship and residency.

Online Renewal: The Fastest Route

To renew online, go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services website 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 identity and pull up your current information. You then review and confirm your address, pay the $32 renewal fee by debit or credit card, and receive a confirmation number when ready.

Online renewal does not issue a new physical license right away. Instead, you receive a temporary digital license that you can use on your phone through the Georgia DDS app or by downloading your confirmation. Your new plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive using your old license until the new one arrives.

You cannot renew online if your license is already expired, if you have changed your name since your last license, if you wear corrective lenses and your vision has changed, or if you want to upgrade to a Real ID. In any of those cases, you must renew in person.

Mail Renewal: When Your License Is Still Valid

Mail renewal is an option only if your license has not yet expired and you have not moved out of state. You will need to complete Form DL 44 (process for a Driver's License or Permit), which you can read from the Georgia DDS website or request by phone at 678-413-8400. Include a new photo that meets Georgia's requirements: a color photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last 30 days, with a plain white background and your face clearly visible.

Mail your completed form, a new photo, and a check or money order for $32 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current license or a copy of your Social Security card for identity verification. Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks from the time the DDS receives your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail.

If your license expires before your new one arrives, you will not be able to drive legally. For that reason, mail renewal works best if you have at least two months before your expiration date. If you are closer to your expiration date, in-person renewal is safer.

In-Person Renewal at a DDS Office

You must renew in person if your license is expired, if you want a Real ID, if you have changed your name, or if you have had a significant change in your vision or medical status. Visit the Georgia DDS office locator on their website to find the office nearest you and check their hours. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require an appointment. Booking an appointment online usually shortens your wait time.

Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), 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, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing for the first time after turning 65, bring proof of your date of birth.

At the office, you will have your photo taken, answer questions about your health and driving record, and pay the renewal fee. A standard five-year license costs $32. A Real ID costs $50 and requires additional proof of citizenship (a passport or birth certificate) and residency. Your new license is issued on the spot, and you can drive when ready.

Real ID: What It Is and Whether You Need It

Real ID is a federal security standard that applies to driver's licenses and state ID cards. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you do not have a Real ID and you fly or visit a federal facility after that date, you will be turned away.

You do not need a Real ID to drive a car or to renew your regular license. You can continue to use a standard Georgia license for driving indefinitely. However, if you want to avoid carrying a passport when you fly, you should upgrade to a Real ID during your renewal.

To get a Real ID, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of current address, proof of citizenship (a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate), and proof of residency (a utility bill or lease). The fee is $50 for a five-year license. You receive your Real ID license on the spot.

What Happens If Your License Expires

If your license expires, you cannot legally drive. Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation in Georgia and can result in a fine. If you are pulled over, you may also be cited for driving without a valid license, which carries a higher penalty.

If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew it in person at a DDS office using the standard renewal process. You will need to bring the same documents as a regular renewal. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must explore for a new license as if you were a first-time applicant, which requires a written test, a vision test, and a driving test.

To avoid this, renew your license before it expires. You can start the renewal process up to six months early, so there is no reason to let it lapse.

Renewal Fees and Payment Methods

A standard Georgia driver's license renewal costs $32 for a five-year license. A Real ID renewal costs $50. These are the only fees charged by the Georgia DDS for renewal. If you are renewing online or by mail, you pay by check, money order, debit card, or credit card. If you are renewing in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Some DDS offices may charge an additional fee if you need a duplicate license or a replacement due to damage or loss. If you lose your license and need a new one before your renewal date, you can request a duplicate at any DDS office for a separate fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia license if I live out of state now?

No. If you have moved out of state, you must renew in person at a Georgia DDS office or you must surrender your Georgia license and get a license from your new state. You cannot renew by mail or online if you no longer live in Georgia. If you still have property or family in Georgia and want to keep a Georgia license, you can renew in person at any DDS office when you visit.

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

If you renew online, your new plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and you get a temporary digital license when ready. If you renew by mail, it takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you renew in person, you receive your new license on the spot and can drive when ready.

What if I need my license before the renewal process is done?

If you renew online, you receive a temporary digital license right away that you can use on your phone. If you renew by mail or in person, you can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license has not expired.

Do I need a Real ID to renew my regular driver's license?

No. You can renew your standard Georgia driver's license without upgrading to Real ID. However, starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID or passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you fly or visit federal facilities, upgrading to Real ID during renewal is worth considering.

What if I changed my name 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. You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal, plus the name change document.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.