Georgia DDS offices issue driver's licenses at 59 locations across the state
You cannot get a Georgia driver's license by mail or online. You must visit a Department of Driver Services (DDS) office in person, bring the required documents, pass the vision and written tests, and have your photo taken. Georgia operates 59 DDS locations — some in county courthouses, some in standalone DDS buildings, and some in other government offices. Not all locations offer the same services, so knowing which office handles your type of license and what hours they keep matters before you drive there.
The easiest way to find your nearest office and check its hours is the DDS office locator on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. You can search by county or city. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. Many offices close for lunch. If you are renewing or replacing a license, some locations handle walk-ins, but others require you to book an appointment online first — this changed during the pandemic and varies by location.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia has 59 DDS locations statewide, and you must visit one in person with original documents to get or renew a driver's license.
- Not all offices offer the same services — some handle only renewals, while others issue new licenses, and appointment requirements vary by location.
- The official DDS office locator on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website shows hours, services, and whether each location takes walk-ins or requires appointments.
- Bring your Social Security card, proof of residency, and proof of legal presence; the DDS website lists the full document checklist by license type.
- Peak times are typically mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays, so arriving early or visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday usually means shorter waits.
How to find the right DDS office for your situation
The Georgia DDS office locator is the only reliable source for current hours and services. Go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, click "Find a DDS Office," and search by county or city name. The locator shows you the address, phone number, hours of operation, and which services that office provides. Some offices are limited-service locations that handle only renewals or replacements; others are full-service and can issue new licenses, commercial licenses, and ID cards.
Call ahead if you are unsure whether your office handles your type of transaction. For example, if you are explore for your first Georgia license and you live in a rural county, the nearest full-service office might be 30 minutes away. If you are renewing, a smaller office in your town might work. The phone number is on the locator page, and staff can tell you in one call whether you need an appointment or can walk in, and what documents to bring.
Appointment versus walk-in: what to expect
Some Georgia DDS offices now require online appointments, while others still accept walk-ins. The office locator tells you which policy applies to your location. If appointments are required, you book a time slot on the DDS website; if walk-ins are accepted, you straightforward show up during business hours. Even at walk-in locations, arriving early (within the first hour the office opens) usually means a much shorter wait than arriving mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
If you book an appointment, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early with all your documents ready. If you walk in, bring everything on the DDS document checklist for your license type — missing even one document means you will have to return another day. The wait time at walk-in offices ranges from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and the location's traffic.
Documents you need to bring
Georgia requires original documents, not copies. You must bring proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card is easiest), proof of legal presence in the United States (a passport, birth certificate, or visa), and proof of your current Georgia address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are renewing an expired license, bring the expired license itself.
The full checklist depends on your situation — whether you are explore for your first license, renewing, replacing a lost or stolen license, or changing your name. The DDS website has a document checklist for each scenario. If you are unsure whether a document counts as proof of residency or legal presence, call the office before you go; staff can confirm whether what you have will work.
What happens during your visit
When you arrive, you will check in and wait to be called. A DDS examiner will review your documents, ask you to sign your process, and take your photo. You will then take the vision test (reading letters on a chart from a set distance) and the written test (multiple-choice questions about Georgia traffic laws and road signs). The written test is on a computer at most offices. You need a score of 16 out of 20 to pass.
If you pass both tests, your license is printed on the spot and you leave with it that day. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day at most offices, but you will pay the retest fee again. If you fail the vision test, you will need to see an eye doctor and return with a vision correction form signed by the doctor.
Fees and what they cover
A Georgia driver's license costs $32 for an eight-year license (the standard for adults under 65). If you are 65 or older, a five-year license costs $16. A Real ID-compliant license costs $5 more. You pay at the office when you explore, and the fee is non-refundable even if you fail the test. If you fail the written test and retake it the same day, you pay the retest fee (usually $5 to $10, depending on the office).
The fee covers the license itself, the vision and written tests, and the photo. It does not cover any documents you may need to obtain beforehand, such as a certified birth certificate or passport.
Peak times and how to avoid long waits
Most DDS offices are busiest mid-morning (around 10 a.m. to noon) and mid-afternoon (around 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.). The slowest times are usually the first hour after opening and the last hour before closing. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be less busy than Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If you have flexibility, visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning right when the office opens will usually get you in and out fastest.
If you must visit during peak hours, book an appointment if your office offers them. Appointment slots are usually available further out (two to four weeks), but they may provide you a specific time and a much shorter wait than a walk-in would face.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia license at any DDS office?
Most offices handle renewals, but some limited-service locations do not. The office locator shows which services each location offers. If your nearest office does not renew licenses, the locator will show you the closest one that does.
What if I lost my documents and cannot find proof of residency?
You will need to obtain new documents before you visit. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. If you cannot get any of those, call the DDS office and ask what alternatives they accept — some offices will take a letter from a landlord or employer on letterhead.
Do I have to take the written test if I am renewing my license?
No. Renewals do not require the written or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than five years, or unless the examiner has reason to believe your vision or knowledge has changed. You will still need to bring your documents and have a new photo taken.
What if my appointment time does not work anymore?
Log into your appointment on the DDS website and cancel or reschedule it. You can book a new time slot when ready. If you cannot access the website, call the office and staff can reschedule you over the phone.
Can someone else pick up my license for me?
No. You must be present to have your photo taken and sign your process. A family member or friend cannot do this on your behalf.