What You Need to Do to Renew in Georgia
Georgia offers three renewal paths: online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. Most people renew online through the Georgia DDS website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $32 for a standard five-year license. You can renew online only if your license is not expired, you have no medical suspensions, and you have not had a name change since your last license was issued. If any of those conditions explore, you must renew in person.
Your renewal window opens 6 months before your license expires and closes on your expiration date. Georgia does not issue grace periods — once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, and you must renew before you can get behind the wheel again. The state does not mail renewal reminders, so mark your expiration date on a calendar now.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website costs $32, takes 10 minutes, and works only if your license is not expired and you have no medical holds or name changes.
- You can renew by mail by requesting a renewal packet from DDS, but processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs $32 plus postage.
- In-person renewal at a DDS office takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on wait times and is required if your license is expired, you have a medical suspension, or your name has changed.
- Georgia licenses are valid for five years from the issue date, and you must renew before the expiration date — there is no grace period for expired licenses.
- You will need your current Georgia license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or eCheck) to renew online.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Route
Online renewal is available at www.dds.georgia.gov under the "Renew Your License" section. You will need your current Georgia driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a credit card or debit card to complete the transaction. The system will verify your identity by asking questions about your driving history and previous addresses.
Once you submit your renewal online, Georgia DDS will mail your new license to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to update your address, you must do so before you renew — the online system will not let you change your address during renewal. If your address has changed, you must renew in person instead.
Online renewal fails most often because the applicant's license is already expired, because there is an active medical suspension on the record, or because the system cannot verify the person's identity. If your renewal is rejected online, the system will tell you why and direct you to renew in person or by mail.
By-Mail Renewal: Slower but No Wait Times
To renew by mail, call the Georgia DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400 and request a renewal packet. You can also visit a DDS office in person and ask for a packet. DDS will mail you a form and instructions; you fill it out, sign it, and mail it back with a check or money order for $32. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date DDS receives your packet.
Mail renewal is useful if you cannot get to an office and your license is not expired. It does not work if your license has already expired, if you have a medical suspension, or if your name has changed. You also cannot update your address by mail — if your address is wrong, you must renew in person.
Mail your renewal packet to the address DDS provides in the renewal packet instructions. Do not mail it to a general DDS office address — DDS has a specific processing center for mail renewals. Keep a copy of what you mail and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
In-Person Renewal at a DDS Office
In-person renewal is required if your license is expired, if you have a medical suspension, if your name has changed since your last license, or if you need to update your address or photograph. Visit any Georgia DDS office with your current license (or expired license), proof of Social Security number, and proof of Georgia residency. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.
Bring your original Social Security card or a certified copy of your birth certificate if you do not have your current license. If your name has changed, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DDS will take a new photograph at the office.
Wait times at DDS offices vary widely by location and time of day. Offices are typically less crowded on weekday mornings and more crowded on Saturdays and after 3 p.m. on weekdays. You can check current wait times for your local office on the Georgia DDS website before you go. In-person renewal takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the office and how busy it is.
Documents and Fees
| Renewal Method | Cost | Processing Time | Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $32 | 7–10 business days | Current license number, Social Security number, payment method |
| By Mail | $32 | 2–3 weeks | Completed renewal form, check or money order |
| In Person | $32 | Same day | Current or expired license, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency |
All renewal methods cost $32 for a standard five-year license. Georgia does not offer discounts for seniors or other groups. Payment by credit card or debit card is accepted online and at DDS offices. By mail, you must pay by check or money order — DDS does not accept credit cards for mail renewals.
If you renew in person and need a new photograph because your current one is damaged or you request a new one, there is no additional fee. If you want a REAL ID-compliant license instead of a standard license, the cost is the same — $32 — but you will need additional documents such as proof of citizenship and proof of Social Security number. Ask the DDS office which documents you need before you go.
What Happens After You Renew
After you renew online or by mail, your new license will arrive by U.S. mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old license by cutting it in half or shredding it — do not throw it away intact, as it contains personal information.
If your new license does not arrive within 14 business days, contact Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 to report it. DDS can reissue your license, but there may be an additional fee. Keep your renewal confirmation number or receipt in case you need to follow up.
Your new license will have the same number as your old license unless you renewed in person and requested a new number. The expiration date will be five years from the date you renewed, not five years from your old expiration date.
Common Mistakes That Delay Renewal
The most common mistake is trying to renew online when your license is already expired. Georgia's online system will reject an expired license when ready. If your license expired more than 30 days ago, you may be required to take a written test and vision test when you renew in person — check with your local DDS office before you go.
The second most common mistake is providing an incorrect address during online renewal. If you moved and did not update your address before you renewed, your new license will be mailed to your old address and you will not receive it. You cannot change your address online during renewal — you must renew in person if your address has changed.
The third mistake is not having proof of residency when you renew in person. A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works, but a credit card statement or bank statement does not. Bring the right document the first time so you do not have to make a second trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia license if it expired more than a year ago?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a DDS office. If your license expired more than 30 days ago, you may be required to pass a vision test and written knowledge test before DDS will issue a new license. Call your local DDS office before you go to ask whether you will need to take the tests.
What if I moved out of state but still have a Georgia license?
You cannot renew a Georgia license if you no longer live in Georgia. You must get a license from your new state instead. If you still own property in Georgia or have other ties to the state, contact Georgia DDS to discuss your situation, but standard renewal requires Georgia residency.
Can I renew online if my license has a medical suspension?
No. If there is a medical suspension on your record, you must renew in person at a DDS office. The office will review the suspension and may require you to provide medical documentation or a clearance letter from your doctor before issuing a new license.
How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew online?
Georgia DDS mails new licenses within 7 to 10 business days of approval. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If your new license does not arrive within 14 business days, contact DDS at 678-413-8400 to report it missing.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew online?
No. Online renewal uses your photograph from your current license. You only get a new photograph if you renew in person at a DDS office. If you want a new photo but are renewing online, you must renew in person instead.