Georgia will reinstate your license after an out-of-state DUI, but only after you meet Georgia's specific requirements — which are often stricter than the state where you were convicted

If you received a DUI conviction in another state, Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) treats it as seriously as an in-state conviction. You cannot straightforward move to Georgia and expect a fresh start. Georgia recognizes out-of-state DUI convictions under the Interstate Compact on Driving Safety, a multi-state agreement that shares driver records. This means Georgia knows about your conviction, and your license will be suspended or revoked here regardless of where you were arrested.

The reinstatement process depends on three things: how long your Georgia suspension lasts, what Georgia's current DUI laws require, and whether you have completed the requirements from your original conviction state. You will need to contact Georgia DDS directly because the rules vary based on whether this is your first offense, whether you had a commercial license, and how much time has passed since your conviction.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia recognizes out-of-state DUI convictions through the Interstate Compact, so your suspension applies in Georgia even if you were convicted elsewhere.
  • Your Georgia suspension period is determined by Georgia law, not the law of the state where you were convicted, and Georgia's penalties may be longer.
  • You must complete the requirements from your original conviction state (such as DUI school or probation) before Georgia will consider reinstatement.
  • You will need to contact Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 or visit your local DDS office to find out your specific reinstatement requirements and fees.
  • Georgia requires an Alcohol and Drug Use Risk Assessment for most DUI reinstatements, which costs money and must be completed through an approved provider.

How Georgia's suspension period is calculated for out-of-state DUIs

Georgia does not automatically adopt the suspension length from the state where you were convicted. Instead, Georgia applies its own suspension rules based on the offense. For a first DUI conviction, Georgia's standard suspension is one year from the date of conviction. If you had a commercial driver's license (CDL), the suspension is longer — typically three years for a first offense.

The suspension clock starts from the date of your conviction in the other state, not from the date Georgia learns about it. This means if you were convicted two years ago in Florida, and Florida's suspension was only six months, you may still have months remaining on Georgia's one-year suspension. You cannot shorten this period by moving to Georgia or by arguing that the other state's penalty was lighter.

If your conviction involved a refusal to take a breath or blood test, Georgia treats this more severely. A refusal suspension is typically 18 months for a first offense, even if the other state's refusal penalty was shorter. You need to know whether your conviction included a refusal charge, because this changes your reinstatement timeline significantly.

Requirements you must complete before Georgia will reinstate you

Georgia will not reinstate your license until you have finished everything the original conviction state required. This usually includes completing a DUI education program (sometimes called DUI school or substance abuse education), finishing any probation period, paying all fines, and serving any jail time. If the other state required an ignition interlock device, you must have completed that requirement too.

You will need to gather proof that you completed these requirements. This typically means getting a letter or certificate from the DUI education program, a probation completion letter from the other state's probation department, and proof of payment for any fines. Georgia DDS will ask to see these documents, so contact the agency or court in your conviction state now and request official documentation of completion.

Even if you completed everything in the other state, Georgia may impose additional requirements. Most commonly, Georgia requires an Alcohol and Drug Use Risk Assessment before reinstatement. This is an evaluation conducted by a licensed professional, and it costs between $100 and $300 depending on the provider. The assessment determines whether you need further treatment or counseling. You cannot choose your own provider — Georgia maintains a list of approved evaluators, and you must use one of them.

The Georgia DDS reinstatement process process

Start by contacting Georgia DDS directly. You can call 678-413-8400 during business hours, or visit a local DDS office in person. Have your driver's license number and the date of your conviction ready. Tell them you have an out-of-state DUI conviction and ask for a written list of everything you must do to reinstate your license in Georgia. DDS will send you a letter outlining your specific requirements, fees, and the order in which you must complete them.

Do not assume you know what Georgia requires — the requirements vary based on your record, the type of conviction, and changes to Georgia law. Getting the official list in writing prevents you from completing the wrong steps or paying for services you do not need. Keep this letter; you will need to reference it when you complete each requirement.

Once you have completed all requirements, you will need to visit a DDS office in person to explore for reinstatement. Bring your driver's license (if you still have it), your reinstatement letter from DDS, proof of completion for each requirement, and payment for the reinstatement fee. Georgia's reinstatement fee for a DUI is typically $210, but confirm this amount when you call DDS because fees can change.

What happens if your conviction state required an ignition interlock device

If your original conviction state required you to install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID), you must have completed that requirement before Georgia will reinstate you. An ignition interlock is a device installed in your vehicle that requires you to pass a breath test before the car will start. The requirement period varies by state — it might be six months, one year, or longer.

Georgia recognizes ignition interlock requirements from other states. If you still have the device installed, you can keep it installed in Georgia and continue to comply with the requirement. If you removed it after completing the other state's requirement, you will need documentation from the IID company or the other state's DMV proving that you completed the full requirement period and that the device was removed properly.

If you are still in the middle of an ignition interlock requirement when you move to Georgia, you must continue to comply with it. You cannot straightforward remove the device because you are now in a different state. Contact the IID company and the court or DMV in your conviction state to understand how to transfer your requirement to Georgia, or ask whether you can complete the remaining time in Georgia.

Fees and costs for Georgia DUI reinstatement

Reinstatement after a DUI conviction is not free. Georgia charges a reinstatement fee of approximately $210 for a DUI suspension, though you should confirm the current amount by calling DDS. This fee is separate from any other costs you may have already paid in your conviction state.

Beyond the reinstatement fee, you will likely need to pay for the Alcohol and Drug Use Risk Assessment, which typically costs $100 to $300. If the assessment recommends further treatment or counseling, those services will cost additional money. Some people also need to pay for a new driver's license if theirs expired during the suspension period.

If you are required to install an ignition interlock device in Georgia (either because your conviction state required it or because Georgia law requires it), installation costs around $100 to $150, and monthly monitoring fees are typically $60 to $80. These costs add up quickly, so budget accordingly and ask DDS for a complete cost estimate before you begin the process.

What to do if you cannot find your conviction records from the other state

Sometimes people lose paperwork or cannot remember exactly where they were convicted. If you cannot locate your conviction documents, contact the court in the county where you were arrested. You can search online for the court's website and request a certified copy of your conviction record. Most courts charge a small fee for this service, usually $10 to $25.

If you do not know which county, start with the police department that arrested you or the state's DMV. They can tell you which court handled your case. You can also contact a DUI attorney in that state — they often have access to court records and can retrieve documents for you, though they will charge a fee for this service.

Georgia DDS may be able to help you locate your conviction record through the Interstate Compact system. When you call DDS, explain that you cannot find your paperwork and ask whether they can pull your record from the other state's system. This is not may provide to work, but it is worth asking before you spend money on a records search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Georgia while my suspension is still active?

No. Your Georgia suspension is in effect when ready, even if you were convicted in another state. Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a separate crime and will result in additional charges, fines, and jail time. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a limited driving permit from Georgia DDS, but this is only available in specific circumstances and requires a separate process.

Does Georgia recognize my conviction state's restricted license or hardship license?

No. A restricted or hardship license issued by another state is not valid in Georgia. You must follow Georgia's rules for reinstatement, which may be stricter. If you need to drive during your suspension, you must request a Georgia limited driving permit through Georgia DDS, not rely on a permit from your conviction state.

What if I was convicted of DUI in one state and then got another DUI in a different state?

Georgia will count both convictions. Multiple DUI convictions within a certain time period result in longer suspensions and stricter requirements. A second DUI within five years typically results in a three-year suspension in Georgia, and a third DUI within five years can result in a five-year suspension. Contact Georgia DDS when ready to understand how multiple convictions affect your reinstatement timeline.

How long does the reinstatement process take after I submit everything?

Once you submit all required documents and fees to Georgia DDS, reinstatement typically takes two to four weeks. However, this timeline assumes all your paperwork is complete and correct. If DDS finds errors or missing documents, the process will take longer. Submit everything in person at a DDS office if possible, so a staff member can review it on the spot and tell you if anything is missing.

Can I reinstate my license online or by mail?

You must appear in person at a Georgia DDS office to complete the reinstatement process. You cannot do this entirely by mail or online. However, you can call ahead or visit the DDS website to find out what documents you need to bring, so you do not make multiple trips.