How to check your Georgia license status right now
You can check your Georgia driver's license status through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website or by calling their customer service line. The online method is fastest: go to dds.ga.gov, select "License Status Check," enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and you'll see your status when ready. If you prefer to call, the DDS customer service number is 678-413-8400, and representatives can look up your status while you wait.
Your status will show whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. It will also tell you if there are any holds on your license — such as unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or medical suspension — that are preventing you from renewing or driving legally.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS website at dds.ga.gov has a free License Status Check tool that shows your status in seconds using your license number and birth date.
- A suspension means you cannot drive but your license still exists; a revocation means your license has been cancelled and you must retest to get a new one.
- Common reasons for suspension in Georgia include unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, medical conditions reported by a doctor, and DUI convictions.
- If your license is suspended, you can often find out what caused it and what steps are needed to restore it through the same DDS website or by calling 678-413-8400.
What the different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. Expired means your license has passed its renewal date but has not been suspended or revoked — you can still drive for a short grace period in Georgia (usually 30 days after expiration), but you should renew soon to avoid penalties.
Suspended means you cannot legally drive, but your license still exists and can be restored once you resolve the underlying issue. Common suspension reasons in Georgia include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, medical suspension (if a doctor reports you as unsafe to drive), and conviction of certain traffic offenses like DUI.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled by the state. You cannot drive at all, and you must pass the written test, vision test, and road test again to get a new license. Revocation usually results from serious violations like multiple DUIs, habitual traffic offender status, or criminal convictions.
Why your Georgia license might be suspended
Georgia suspends licenses for many reasons beyond just traffic violations. If you have unpaid traffic fines or court costs, the court can request a suspension. If you owe child support or fail to pay court-ordered child support, the Georgia Department of Human Services can request a suspension. If you fail to appear in court for a traffic ticket or criminal charge, a judge can suspend your license.
Medical suspensions happen when a doctor, hospital, or law enforcement officer reports you to DDS as medically unfit to drive — usually due to seizures, loss of consciousness, severe dementia, or other conditions that affect your ability to control a vehicle safely. You can request a medical review and provide updated medical documentation to have the suspension lifted.
Insurance-related suspensions occur if you were involved in an at-fault accident and did not have insurance, or if your insurance lapsed and you were caught driving. Georgia also suspends licenses for failure to pay traffic tickets within a certain timeframe and for accumulating too many points on your driving record.
Steps to restore a suspended Georgia license
First, find out exactly why your license is suspended by checking your status online or calling DDS. The reason will determine what you need to do next. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed and request a reinstatement from the court or the agency that requested the suspension.
If the suspension is due to child support arrears, you must contact the Georgia Department of Human Services or your local child support enforcement office, arrange a payment plan or pay in full, and request that they notify DDS to lift the suspension. If you failed to appear in court, you must appear in court, resolve the case, and ask the judge to request reinstatement.
For medical suspensions, you must obtain a letter from your doctor stating that you are medically safe to drive, submit it to DDS along with a reinstatement request, and sometimes pass a medical examination. Once the underlying issue is resolved, DDS typically reinstates your license within 5 to 10 business days of receiving notification from the responsible agency.
What to do if your license is expired
An expired license is different from a suspended one — you can still drive for a grace period, but you should renew it to avoid fines and to have a valid ID for other purposes. In Georgia, you can renew your license online through the DDS website if your license expired less than 2 years ago and you have no medical conditions or other restrictions that require an in-person visit.
To renew online, go to dds.ga.gov, select "Renew Your License," and follow the steps. You will need to pay the renewal fee (currently $32 for an 8-year license for drivers 21 and older), provide a valid payment method, and have a recent digital photo on file or upload one. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If you cannot renew online — for example, if your license has been expired for more than 2 years, or if you have medical restrictions — you must visit a DDS office in person. Bring your current ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number.
What information you need to check your status
To use the online License Status Check tool, you need your Georgia driver's license number and your date of birth. Both pieces of information appear on your physical license. If you do not have your license number handy, you can call DDS at 678-413-8400 and a representative can look it up using your name and date of birth.
If you are checking the status of someone else's license (such as a family member or employee), you will need their permission and their license number and date of birth. DDS does not release license information to third parties without the license holder's consent, so you may need to have that person check their own status or provide written authorization.
When to check your license status before driving
Check your status before a long trip, before renewing your vehicle registration, or if you have recently received a traffic ticket or court notice. If you are unsure whether you have paid a fine or resolved a court case, checking your status takes 30 seconds and can prevent you from driving with a suspended license — which carries additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
If you are explore for a job that requires a valid driver's license, check your status before the interview so you know whether you need to resolve any issues first. If you have not driven in several months, check your status to make sure your license has not been suspended for non-driving reasons like unpaid child support or court costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is a crime in Georgia and can result in fines up to $1,000, jail time, and an additional suspension on top of the existing one. If you are caught, your license suspension will be extended and you may face criminal charges.
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license?
Once you resolve the underlying issue (pay fines, appear in court, arrange child support payment, etc.), DDS typically reinstates your license within 5 to 10 business days of receiving notification from the responsible agency. Some agencies process reinstatement requests faster than others, so contact the agency that suspended your license to confirm the timeline.
What if the DDS website says my license is suspended but I do not know why?
Call DDS at 678-413-8400 and ask a representative to explain the reason for the suspension. They can also tell you which agency requested the suspension and provide contact information so you can resolve the issue directly with that agency.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Georgia offers a limited permit (sometimes called a hardship license) for certain suspensions, such as those due to unpaid traffic fines or DUI convictions. You must request one from the DDS office and show that you have a legitimate need to drive (such as for work or medical treatment). Not all suspension reasons may have access to for a limited permit.
Do I need to visit a DDS office to check my license status?
No. You can check your status online at dds.ga.gov or by phone at 678-413-8400 without visiting an office. You only need to visit an office if you need to renew your license in person, explore for a limited permit, or handle other transactions that require a signature or in-person verification.