What You Pay for a Georgia Driver's License
A Georgia driver's license costs $32 for an eight-year license if you are between 21 and 64 years old. If you are under 21, the license costs $20 and expires when you turn 21. Drivers 65 and older pay $16 for an eight-year license. These are the base fees charged by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and do not include any additional services or endorsements you may add.
The fee you pay depends on your age at the time you get or renew your license, not your age when the license expires. If you turn 21 before your renewal date, you still pay the under-21 rate for that license. When you renew after turning 21, you pay the standard adult rate.
Georgia does not charge separate fees for different license types — a standard Class D license costs the same whether you use it for personal driving or commercial purposes. However, if you add endorsements (such as a motorcycle endorsement or hazmat endorsement), those carry their own fees on top of the base license cost.
Key Takeaways
- A standard Georgia driver's license costs $32 for drivers aged 21 to 64, $20 for drivers under 21, and $16 for drivers 65 and older.
- The fee is based on your age when you explore, not when the license expires, and covers an eight-year license period for most adults.
- Adding endorsements such as motorcycle or hazmat ratings costs extra and is charged separately from the base license fee.
- Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards cost $20 and can be ordered online or in person at a DDS office.
- Georgia charges no fee for name changes on your license if you provide a court order or marriage certificate at renewal.
Renewal Costs and Timeline
When you renew your Georgia license, you pay the same fee as a new license based on your current age. Your license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the card — for example, a license issued when you are 30 will expire on your birthday eight years later. You can renew your license up to one year before the expiration date.
Renewing online through the Georgia DDS website costs the same $32 (or $16 if you are 65 or older) and takes about two weeks for the card to arrive by mail. You can renew in person at any DDS office for the same fee, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready if you need to drive before the card arrives.
If your license has already expired, you still pay the renewal fee — there is no penalty fee or late charge added by Georgia. However, you cannot legally drive on an expired license, so renewing as soon as possible is necessary.
Replacement License and Name Change Fees
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement card costs $20. You can order a replacement online through the Georgia DDS website or request one in person at a DDS office. The replacement fee is separate from any renewal fee — if your license is also expiring soon, you will pay both the $20 replacement fee and the renewal fee when you renew.
Changing your name on your license due to marriage, divorce, or court order does not cost extra if you do it at renewal time. You straightforward provide the court order or marriage certificate along with your renewal process. If you need to change your name between renewals, you must explore for a replacement license, which costs $20.
Endorsement and Restriction Fees
Georgia charges additional fees if you add endorsements to your license. A motorcycle endorsement costs $20 and requires passing a written test and a riding skills test. A hazmat endorsement costs $85 and requires a federal background check and fingerprinting through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These fees are charged on top of your base license fee.
If you already hold an endorsement and are renewing your license, the endorsement fee is included in your renewal fee — you do not pay it twice. However, if you are adding a new endorsement at renewal time, you pay both the base renewal fee and the endorsement fee.
Removing an endorsement (such as if you no longer need a motorcycle endorsement) does not cost anything. You straightforward request the removal when you renew, and the new license will not include that endorsement.
How to Pay and Where to Renew
Georgia accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check when you renew online through the DDS website. In person at a DDS office, you can pay by cash, check, credit card, or debit card. Some DDS offices also accept payment through their self-service kiosks, which take cards only.
You can renew at any DDS office in Georgia, not just the one in your county. DDS offices are located in most counties and in larger cities. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Georgia DDS website. Some offices require an appointment, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis — check before you go.
Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website is available if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not had a name change since your last license was issued. The online process takes about 10 minutes, and you will receive your new card by mail within two weeks.
Fees for Specific Situations
If you are renewing a license that was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew online. You must go to a DDS office in person and pay the standard renewal fee. The DDS office will verify that your suspension or revocation has been lifted before issuing a new license.
If you are a new resident of Georgia and need to get a Georgia license to replace an out-of-state license, you pay the standard fee based on your age. You will need to surrender your out-of-state license and provide proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease agreement) and proof of identity.
If you need a duplicate license because you have a name change that was not processed on your current license, you pay the $20 replacement fee. This is different from a renewal — you are getting a new card with your current name before your license expires.
Military and Senior Discounts
Georgia does not offer a military discount on driver's license fees. Active-duty military members and veterans pay the same fee as any other driver based on their age.
Drivers 65 and older receive a reduced fee of $16 instead of the standard $32, which is the only age-based discount Georgia offers. This discount applies automatically when you renew — you do not need to request it or provide proof of age beyond what is on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia license online if I am out of state?
Yes. You can renew online through the Georgia DDS website from anywhere as long as your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not had a name change since your last license was issued. Your new card will be mailed to the address on file, so make sure your mailing address is current before you submit your renewal.
What happens if I renew my license but it arrives after my birthday?
Your old license remains valid until the date printed on it, even if you have already renewed. Once your new license arrives, you can start using it when ready. There is no gap in coverage — you are covered by whichever license is current on that date.
Do I have to pay a fee to add a motorcycle endorsement at renewal time?
Yes. If you are adding a new motorcycle endorsement at renewal, you pay both the $32 renewal fee and the $20 motorcycle endorsement fee. If you already have a motorcycle endorsement and are renewing, the endorsement fee is included in your renewal fee and you do not pay it again.
Is there a fee to change my address on my Georgia license?
No. You can change your address online through the Georgia DDS website at no cost, or you can update it when you renew your license. Changing your address does not require a new card — the change is recorded in the system and will appear on your next license.
What if I lose my license and need a replacement before I can renew?
A replacement license costs $20. When you eventually renew that replacement license, you pay the standard renewal fee based on your age at that time. You do not pay both fees at once unless you are renewing and replacing at the same time.