Check your Georgia license status through the DDS website or by phone
Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) lets you look up your license status online in minutes, or you can call their customer service line if you prefer to speak with someone. The online method is faster — you'll need your driver's license number and date of birth, and you'll get an when ready answer about whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked.
You don't need to create an account or log in to check your status. The DDS website has a public lookup tool that works from any computer or phone with internet access. If you've lost your license number, you can still call DDS and they'll look it up using your name and date of birth.
Key Takeaways
- Visit the Georgia DDS website and use the license status lookup tool with your license number and date of birth to get an when ready result.
- If your license is suspended, the DDS website will tell you the reason — unpaid traffic fines, child support, medical suspension, or another cause — and what you need to do to restore it.
- You can also call the DDS customer service line at 678-413-8400 during business hours to have someone look up your status by phone.
- A suspended Georgia license affects your ability to drive legally and can result in additional fines or jail time if you're caught driving, so checking your status promptly matters if you've had recent traffic or legal issues.
Steps to check your status online
Go to the Georgia DDS website at dds.ga.gov. Look for the "License Status" or "Check License Status" link — it's usually on the homepage or under a "Services" menu. Click it to open the lookup tool.
Enter your Georgia driver's license number and your date of birth in the format the tool requests. Click "Search" or "Check Status." The tool will display your license status when ready — either "Valid," "Suspended," "Revoked," or "Expired." If your license is suspended or revoked, the page will show the reason and the date the suspension began.
Write down the reason and any reference numbers shown. You'll need this information if you have to contact DDS or if you need to take action to restore your license — for example, paying a fine or completing a defensive driving course.
What different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can drive legally in Georgia. Expired means your license has passed its renewal date and you cannot drive until you renew it — you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DDS office.
Suspended means your driving privileges have been temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, medical suspension (usually after a seizure or serious health event), or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. A suspension is temporary — once you resolve the cause, you can request reinstatement.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled, usually for serious violations like a DUI conviction, multiple suspensions, or habitual traffic offender status. Revocation is more serious than suspension. You may be able to petition for reinstatement after a waiting period, but the process is longer and stricter than lifting a suspension.
What to do if your license is suspended
The DDS website will tell you the specific reason for your suspension. Read it carefully — the steps to restore your license depend on why it was suspended. If it's due to unpaid fines, you'll need to pay the court or the agency that issued the fine. If it's due to child support arrears, you'll need to contact the Georgia Department of Human Services or your local child support office.
Some suspensions lift automatically once you've met the requirement — for example, paying a fine or completing a court-ordered program. Others require you to file a formal request for reinstatement with DDS. The lookup tool or the letter you received should explain which applies to you. If you're unsure, call DDS at 678-413-8400 and ask what steps you need to take.
Do not drive while your license is suspended. Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime in Georgia and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you're stopped by police, you'll be cited for driving with a suspended license even if you were otherwise following traffic laws.
Check your status by phone if you don't have internet access
Call the Georgia DDS customer service line at 678-413-8400. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. A representative will look up your status and tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
DDS is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times vary depending on call volume. If you reach a busy signal, try again later or use the online lookup tool instead — it's available 24/7.
What happens if you can't find your license number
If you've lost your license or don't have your number handy, you can still call DDS and they'll look it up using your full name and date of birth. You won't be able to use the online tool without your license number, so the phone line is your best option in this case.
If you need a replacement license card, you can order one through the DDS website or visit a DDS office in person. A replacement usually arrives in 7 to 10 business days if you order it online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see my status if I just got a ticket or court notice?
Suspensions don't appear when ready. It usually takes 3 to 7 business days for a court or agency to report a suspension to DDS, and then another 1 to 2 days for it to show up in the system. If you were just cited or received a court notice, check back in a week to see if a suspension has been added to your record.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The DDS lookup tool is for checking your own license only. You cannot look up another person's status without their permission. If you need to know someone else's status, they will have to check it themselves or give you written permission to contact DDS on their behalf.
What if the website says my license is suspended but I never got a letter?
Mail can be delayed or lost. Contact DDS at 678-413-8400 to confirm the reason for the suspension and ask them to mail you a formal notice if you haven't received one. They can also tell you what steps you need to take to restore your license and whether you can request reinstatement when ready.
Does checking my status online affect my license in any way?
No. Looking up your status does not change anything about your license or your driving record. It's a read-only lookup — it only shows you information that already exists in the DDS system.
Can I renew my license if it's suspended?
No. You cannot renew a suspended license until the suspension is lifted. Once you've resolved the cause of the suspension and your status changes back to valid or expired, you can then renew if your license has passed its expiration date.