Where to Check Your Georgia License Status Online

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) runs an online lookup tool where you can see whether your license is suspended, revoked, or valid. Go to dds.georgia.gov and look for the "License Status" or "Check License Status" link on the homepage. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to search.

The online tool shows your current status in real time. If your license is suspended, the result will tell you the reason — whether it is for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical suspension, or another cause. This is the fastest way to get an answer without calling or visiting an office.

If the online tool does not load or you cannot find your license number, you can call the DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400. They can look up your status over the phone, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia DDS website at dds.georgia.gov has a free online tool to check your license status using your license number and date of birth.
  • A suspension result will show you the specific reason — unpaid fines, failure to appear, medical hold, or another cause — which determines what you must do to restore it.
  • You can also call DDS Customer Service at 678-413-8400 to have a staff member look up your status by phone.
  • If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive in Georgia or most other states until the suspension is lifted.

What Causes a License Suspension in Georgia

Georgia suspends licenses for several reasons, and the cause matters because it determines how you restore your driving privileges. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, failure to pay child support, medical suspension (usually after a seizure or loss of consciousness), and accumulation of too many points on your driving record.

Suspensions can also result from a DUI conviction, driving with a suspended license, or failure to maintain car insurance. Some suspensions are automatic — for example, if you are convicted of a felony involving a vehicle or drugs. Others are ordered by a court or by the state's child support enforcement agency.

The length of a suspension varies. Some last 30 days; others last six months or longer. A few are indefinite until you take a specific action, such as paying fines or completing a DUI education program. The online lookup or phone call will tell you the reason and, in most cases, what you need to do to restore your license.

Steps to Restore Your License After Suspension

The steps depend on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. Contact the court directly — the DDS lookup result should tell you which court — and ask how to pay. Many courts accept payment by phone, online, or in person.

If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, you must go back to that court, resolve the case (usually by appearing before a judge), and pay any fines or costs ordered. Failure to appear suspensions are lifted once the court case is resolved.

For child support suspensions, you must contact the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family Support, or the local child support enforcement office. You will need to make a payment arrangement or bring your account current.

Medical suspensions require a letter from your doctor stating that you are safe to drive. You submit this letter to the DDS along with a request to lift the suspension. For DUI-related suspensions, you may need to complete a DUI education program, pay reinstatement fees, and provide proof of insurance before your license is restored.

Reinstatement Fees and Processing Time

Once you have resolved the reason for your suspension, Georgia charges a reinstatement fee to restore your license. The fee is typically $210, though it can vary depending on the type of suspension. You pay this fee when you submit your reinstatement request or when you visit a DDS office.

Processing time varies. If you pay fines online or by phone and the court notifies DDS electronically, your license may be restored within one to three business days. If you must visit a DDS office in person or if the court processes your payment manually, it may take one to two weeks.

Do not drive while your license is suspended, even if you have paid the fines or resolved the underlying issue. Your license is not restored until DDS updates its system. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Georgia and can result in arrest, additional fines, and a longer suspension.

Visiting a DDS Office in Person

If you prefer to handle your reinstatement in person or if you need to renew your license at the same time, you can visit any DDS office. Bring your valid photo ID, proof of residence (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and proof that you have resolved the suspension — such as a court receipt showing paid fines or a letter from child support enforcement.

DDS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment, but arriving early in the day usually means a shorter wait. Find the office nearest you on the DDS website.

Bring the reinstatement fee in cash, check, or debit card. Some offices accept credit cards, but not all, so call ahead if you plan to pay by credit card. The staff will verify that your suspension has been resolved, collect the reinstatement fee, and issue you a new license or a temporary driving permit while your permanent license is mailed.

What to Do If You Disagree With the Suspension

If you believe your license was suspended in error or if you want to contest the reason for the suspension, you have the right to request a hearing. Contact the DDS directly at 678-413-8400 or visit a DDS office to ask about the hearing process. You must request a hearing within a certain time frame — usually 10 days from the date you were notified of the suspension — so act quickly if you plan to challenge it.

At a hearing, you can present evidence and testimony to show why the suspension should be lifted. For example, if your license was suspended for unpaid fines but you have proof you paid them, you can show that proof. If the suspension was due to a clerical error, you can provide documentation to correct it.

Hearings are conducted by an administrative law judge or a DDS hearing officer. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer. The decision is usually mailed to you within two to four weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn about my license is suspended?

The online lookup tool at dds.georgia.gov gives you an answer when ready. If you call DDS Customer Service at 678-413-8400, you will get an answer within a few minutes, though you may wait on hold depending on call volume.

Can I drive if my license is suspended but I have paid the fines?

No. You cannot drive until DDS officially lifts the suspension and updates your record. Driving on a suspended license is illegal, even if you have resolved the underlying issue. Wait for written confirmation from DDS or a DDS office before you drive.

What if I cannot pay the reinstatement fee right away?

Contact the court or agency that ordered the suspension and ask about payment plans. Some courts allow you to pay reinstatement fees in installments. You can also ask DDS about hardship waivers, though these are rare and require documentation of financial hardship.

Will my suspension show up on a background check?

A suspended license will appear on a driving record check, which employers, insurance companies, and landlords may run. Once your license is restored and the suspension is lifted, it will no longer appear on new checks, though the historical record may remain in some databases.

Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?

Georgia offers a limited driving permit in some cases, such as for work or medical appointments, but only for certain types of suspensions. Call DDS at 678-413-8400 to ask whether you are may be able to access for a limited permit while your suspension is being resolved.