Check your Georgia license status through the DDS website or by phone

Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) lets you check whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked without visiting an office. You can look up your status online through the DDS website using your driver's license number and date of birth, or call the DDS customer service line during business hours. The online method is fastest — you get an answer in seconds — but the phone option works if you need to ask follow-up questions about why your license has a problem.

Your license status tells you whether you can legally drive in Georgia and what restrictions explore. A valid license means you can drive. A suspended license means you cannot drive, but the suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you meet certain conditions — usually paying a fine, completing a course, or clearing a traffic ticket. A revoked license is more serious and typically requires you to reapply for a new license after a waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia DDS website at dds.georgia.gov lets you check your license status when ready using your license number and date of birth.
  • You can also call the DDS customer service line at 678-413-8400 during business hours to speak with someone about your status.
  • A suspended license is temporary and lifts once you pay fines or clear the reason for suspension; a revoked license requires reapplication after a waiting period.
  • If your license is suspended, the DDS notice will explain what you must do to clear the suspension and restore your driving privileges.

Using the Georgia DDS online lookup tool

Go to dds.georgia.gov and look for the "License Status" or "Check License Status" link on the homepage. You will need your Georgia driver's license number and your date of birth. Enter both pieces of information and the system will display your current status within seconds.

The online tool shows whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked. If your license is suspended or revoked, the result will usually include the reason — for example, unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or a medical suspension. Some suspensions list the specific action you need to take to clear them, such as paying a fine to the court or submitting a medical clearance form.

If the online tool does not give you enough detail about what to do next, write down the reason for the suspension and call DDS customer service. They can explain the exact steps and tell you which office or agency you need to contact.

Calling Georgia DDS customer service

The main DDS customer service number is 678-413-8400. Call during business hours — typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — and have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. A representative can tell you your license status and explain what caused any suspension or revocation.

Phone service is useful if you need clarification about the reason for your suspension or if you want to know the exact steps to restore your license. For example, if your license is suspended because of unpaid court fines, the DDS representative can tell you which court holds the fine and how much you owe. If it is suspended because you failed to pay a traffic ticket, they can direct you to the right traffic court.

Wait times can be long during peak hours, especially early morning and midday. Calling late afternoon often means a shorter wait.

What different license statuses mean

Valid means your license is current and you can drive legally in Georgia. Your license is valid from the date it was issued until the expiration date printed on the card.

Suspended means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away, but the suspension can be lifted. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical conditions that require review, or accumulating too many points on your driving record. Once you address the reason — pay the fine, appear in court, or submit required paperwork — you can request reinstatement and drive again.

Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled, usually because of serious violations like multiple DUI convictions, reckless driving, or habitual traffic offender status. You cannot drive in Georgia until the revocation period ends and you reapply for a new license. Revocation periods vary but often last one to five years depending on the reason.

Steps to take if your license is suspended

First, find out the exact reason for the suspension by checking online or calling DDS. Write down the reason and any case or ticket number mentioned.

Second, contact the agency or court responsible for the suspension. If it is a traffic fine, contact the traffic court listed. If it is unpaid child support, contact the Georgia Department of Human Services. If it is a medical suspension, contact the DDS medical review unit. The DDS representative can give you the phone number and address you need.

Third, take the required action — pay the fine, appear in court, submit medical paperwork, or whatever the suspension requires. Keep proof of payment or completion, such as a receipt or court document.

Fourth, request reinstatement from DDS once you have cleared the reason for suspension. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by the type of suspension. After reinstatement is approved, your license becomes valid again and you can drive.

Reinstatement fees and timelines

Georgia charges a reinstatement fee to restore a suspended license. The fee amount depends on the reason for suspension and ranges from around $100 to $200, though this varies. Some suspensions have no fee if you straightforward appear in court or submit required paperwork.

After you clear the reason for suspension and pay any reinstatement fee, DDS processes your request. Reinstatement usually takes a few business days to a week. You do not receive a new physical license card — your existing license becomes valid again once the suspension is lifted in the system.

If you need to drive before reinstatement is complete, you cannot. Driving on a suspended license is illegal and can result in arrest, additional fines, and further suspension. Wait for written confirmation that your license has been reinstated before you drive.

What to do if you cannot find your license status online

If the online tool does not recognize your license number or date of birth, double-check that you entered both correctly. License numbers are case-sensitive and must match exactly as printed on your card.

If you still cannot access your status online, call DDS customer service at 678-413-8400. A representative can look up your status manually and explain any issues with your account. This is also the right step if your license was issued in another state and you recently moved to Georgia.

If you have lost your license or do not remember your license number, you can provide your full name and date of birth to DDS, and they can locate your record and tell you your status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to check my license status online?

The online lookup is when ready. You enter your license number and date of birth, and the system shows your status within seconds. No waiting or processing time is involved.

Can I check someone else's license status?

No. The online tool requires the license holder's license number and date of birth, and you cannot look up another person's status without their permission. Only the license holder or an authorized representative can check the status.

What if my suspension was cleared but the website still shows it as suspended?

The online system updates after reinstatement is processed, which usually takes a few business days. If more than a week has passed since you cleared the suspension and paid reinstatement fees, call DDS to confirm the update went through. Sometimes there is a delay in the system.

Do I need to visit a DDS office to check my status?

No. You can check your status online or by phone without visiting an office. You only need to visit an office if you need a replacement license card, want to renew your license, or need to complete an in-person requirement as part of reinstatement.

What happens if I drive with a suspended license?

Driving with a suspended license is a crime in Georgia. You can be arrested, fined, and have additional charges added to your record. Your suspension may be extended, and you could face jail time depending on how many times you have driven suspended.