What you need to do to renew an expired Georgia license
You can renew an expired Georgia driver's license in person at any Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office, or online through the Georgia DDS website if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you meet other requirements. The in-person route works for any expiration date. Online renewal is faster — usually a few minutes — but has stricter rules about who can use it.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. The same applies if you need to change your name, address, or other information on the license itself, or if you want to add or remove endorsements like a motorcycle or commercial license.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website works only if your license expired within the last five years, you have a valid Social Security number on file, and you have not had any suspensions or restrictions.
- In-person renewal at a DDS office takes about 30 minutes and works for any expiration date, but you must bring your current or expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
- Georgia charges $32 for a standard five-year renewal and $64 for an eight-year renewal; online and in-person renewal cost the same.
- You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date to begin the process.
- If you have unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or a suspension on your record, you must resolve those issues before DDS will issue a new license.
Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website
To renew online, go to the Georgia DDS website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current or expired license number, your date of birth, and your Social Security number. The system will verify your information against DDS records and ask you to confirm your address or update it if you have moved.
Online renewal does not let you change your name, add endorsements, or correct other information on the license itself. If you need to make any of those changes, you must renew in person. You also cannot renew online if you have any active suspensions, restrictions, or holds on your driving record — the system will tell you when ready if you are ineligible and direct you to the nearest DDS office.
Once you complete the online form and pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card, Georgia will mail your new license to the address on file. Delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days. Your expired license remains valid for driving until the new one arrives.
In-person renewal at a DDS office
Walk into any Georgia DDS office with the documents listed below and you can renew the same day. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices are typically less crowded on weekday mornings and more crowded on Fridays and the days before a holiday.
Bring your current or expired Georgia driver's license, one document proving your current address (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and one document proving your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). If you do not have your license with you, bring two forms of ID instead — one with a photo and one without.
The DDS staff will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. You will pay the renewal fee ($32 for five years or $64 for eight years) by cash, check, or card. Georgia will mail your new license within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your expired license until the new one arrives.
What to do if your license has a suspension or hold
If your driving record has a suspension, you cannot renew your license — online or in person — until the suspension is lifted. Suspensions happen for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, a DUI conviction, or failure to maintain insurance after an accident. You must resolve the underlying issue first.
To find out why your license is suspended, call the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 or visit a DDS office in person. They will tell you exactly what you owe or what action you need to take. Once you have paid fines, arranged a child support payment plan, completed a required course, or shown proof of insurance, the suspension lifts and you can renew when ready.
Renewing before your license expires
Georgia lets you renew your license up to six months before it expires. This is useful if you are about to travel, need a license for a job, or straightforward want to avoid the rush near the expiration date. The renewal process is identical whether you renew early or on the expiration date itself.
If you renew early, your new license will have a new expiration date five or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired. For example, if your license expires in December 2024 and you renew in July 2024, your new license will expire in July 2029 (or 2032 for an eight-year license), not December 2029.
Renewing after your license has been expired for more than five years
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use online renewal. You must go to a DDS office in person with the same documents required for any in-person renewal: your expired license (or two forms of ID if you do not have it), proof of address, and proof of Social Security number.
The renewal process is the same as for a recently expired license. The DDS will take a new photo and issue a new license. There is no penalty for renewing late — Georgia does not charge extra fees or require you to retake the written or driving test just because your license has been expired for a long time.
Changing your name, address, or other information
If you have moved since your license was issued, you can update your address during renewal — either online or in person. If you are renewing online, the system will ask you to confirm or change your address before you finish. If you are renewing in person, tell the DDS staff about the change and they will update it on your new license.
If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or a legal name change, you must renew in person and bring a document proving the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DDS will not process a name change online. The same rule applies if you want to add or remove endorsements, such as a motorcycle endorsement or a commercial driver's license (CDL).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia license if I live out of state?
No. Georgia requires you to renew in person at a DDS office, and you must be a Georgia resident to hold a Georgia license. If you have moved out of state, you should get a license from your new state instead. If you still live in Georgia but are temporarily out of state, you can return to renew in person at any DDS office.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it?
You can renew without your license if you bring two other forms of ID — one with a photo and one without. If you want to replace your lost license and renew at the same time, the DDS will issue a new license with the same number (if it has not been reassigned) or a new number. The cost is the same as a standard renewal.
Do I have to take a new written or driving test to renew?
No. Georgia does not require you to retake either test during a standard renewal, even if your license has been expired for years. You only retake the tests if you are renewing after a suspension or revocation, or if the DDS staff suspects a medical or vision problem.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Georgia typically mails renewed licenses within 7 to 10 business days of your renewal date. Your expired license remains valid for driving until the new one arrives, so you do not need to rush. If you need your new license faster, some DDS offices offer a rush service for an additional fee — ask at your local office.
What if I renewed online but my information was wrong?
Contact the Georgia DDS before your new license arrives. If you catch the error in time, they may be able to cancel the renewal and issue a corrected license. If the new license arrives with incorrect information, you can return to a DDS office with proof of the correct information (such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate) and request a corrected license at no extra charge.