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

Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) lets you check your license status online through their website or by calling their customer service line. The online method is fastest — you can see your status in seconds without waiting on hold. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number to look it up either way.

The status check tells you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. It also shows you the expiration date if your license is currently active. This is the same information DDS uses internally, so what you see is what law enforcement will see if you are stopped.

Key Takeaways

  • The DDS online license status tool at dds.ga.gov is available 24/7 and returns results when ready using your license number or Social Security number.
  • If your license shows suspended or revoked, the status page will not tell you why — you must call DDS at 678-413-8400 to learn the reason and what to do next.
  • Phone status checks take 5 to 15 minutes depending on call volume, and DDS customer service operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
  • A status check does not renew your license, clear a suspension, or change any enforcement action — it only shows you what DDS has on file.

Using the DDS online status checker

Go to dds.ga.gov and look for the "License Status" or "Check License Status" link on the homepage. You will be taken to a search page where you enter either your Georgia driver's license number or your Social Security number. The system will ask for your date of birth as a second piece of information to confirm your identity.

After you submit, the page displays your license status in one of these categories: Valid, Expired, Suspended, Revoked, or Not Found. If your status is Valid, you will also see your expiration date. The entire process takes less than one minute. You can check as many times as you need — there is no limit on searches.

If the system returns "Not Found," it means DDS has no record of a license under that number or Social Security number. This can happen if you have never held a Georgia license, if you entered the information incorrectly, or if your record was purged after a very long period of inactivity. Double-check your license number and try again, or call DDS to confirm whether a record exists.

Calling DDS customer service for status information

DDS customer service can check your status over the phone at 678-413-8400. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready before you call. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Call volume is typically highest mid-morning and mid-afternoon, so early morning or late afternoon calls usually have shorter wait times.

When you reach an agent, give them your identifying information and ask for your current license status. They will tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. If your status is suspended or revoked, ask the agent for the reason — the online tool does not provide this detail. The agent can also tell you what steps you need to take to restore your license if it is not currently valid.

What suspended and revoked status means

A suspended license means DDS has temporarily taken away your driving privilege, usually for a specific reason like unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or a medical issue. A suspension is typically temporary — once you resolve the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement. The length of a suspension varies depending on the reason.

A revoked license means DDS has permanently cancelled your driving privilege. Revocation usually follows serious violations like multiple DUI convictions, habitual traffic offender status, or criminal convictions. Revocation is much harder to overturn than suspension. In some cases you may be able to request a hearing or explore for reinstatement after a waiting period, but this requires going through a formal process with DDS.

The online status checker will tell you that your license is suspended or revoked, but it will not explain why. You must call DDS at 678-413-8400 to find out the reason and learn what you need to do to restore your privilege to drive. Do not wait — if you are driving on a suspended or revoked license, you can be arrested and face additional criminal charges.

Understanding an expired license status

An expired license means your current license has passed its expiration date and is no longer valid for driving. Georgia driver's licenses are valid for eight years from the issue date. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license card.

If your status shows expired, you need to renew your license before you can legally drive. You can renew online through the DDS website if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must not have any medical restrictions, and you must not have changed your name. If you do not meet these conditions, you must renew in person at a DDS office. Renewal by mail is no longer available in Georgia.

What to do if your status is suspended or revoked

Call DDS at 678-413-8400 to learn the specific reason for the suspension or revocation. Different reasons have different solutions. For example, if your license is suspended because of unpaid traffic fines, you need to pay those fines. If it is suspended because you failed to appear in court, you need to resolve that court case. If it is suspended for a medical reason, you may need to provide a medical clearance.

Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact DDS to request reinstatement. Some reinstatements can be done online or by mail, while others require an in-person visit to a DDS office. The process and timeline depend on the reason for the suspension. Ask the DDS agent what documents you need to bring and whether you can handle the reinstatement by phone, mail, or online, or if you must visit an office in person.

If your license is revoked, the process is more complex. You may be required to wait a certain period before you can even request a hearing or reinstatement. Some revocations can never be overturned. Contact DDS or speak with a lawyer who handles driver's license cases to understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's license status?

No. The DDS online tool and phone line only allow you to check your own status. You must provide identifying information that matches the license holder. If you need information about another person's license for a legal reason, you may need to go through a lawyer or court process.

Why does my status say "Not Found" when I know I have a Georgia license?

This usually means you entered your license number or Social Security number incorrectly. Check your license card and try again, making sure you are using the correct format. If you still get "Not Found," call DDS at 678-413-8400 to confirm that your record exists in their system.

How often does the status update if I have a suspension pending?

DDS updates license status records throughout the day as court orders and administrative actions are processed. If you recently received a suspension notice, it may take 24 to 48 hours to appear in the online system. If you need to know when ready, call DDS customer service.

Does checking my status online affect my license in any way?

No. Checking your status is a read-only action — it does not change anything about your license, trigger any action by DDS, or create any record that you looked it up. You can check as often as you want without any consequence.

What if I disagree with the status shown?

Call DDS at 678-413-8400 and explain the situation to an agent. If you believe there is an error in their records, ask what steps you need to take to dispute it. You may need to provide documentation or request a formal hearing depending on the type of action against your license.