The basic steps to get your Georgia license back
To reinstate a suspended Georgia driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended, then handle that specific reason before the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) will restore it. The suspension reason determines what you do next — paying a fine, completing a program, or waiting out a period. Once you've resolved the underlying issue, you submit proof to DDS and pay a reinstatement fee.
Georgia does not have a single reinstatement process that works for every suspension. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines requires different steps than one for a failed drug test or unpaid child support. You cannot reinstate your license until the reason for suspension is resolved.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services or check your suspension notice to learn the exact reason your license was suspended.
- Different suspension reasons require different actions — paying fines, completing DUI education, waiting a set period, or resolving child support or medical support debt.
- Once you've resolved the underlying issue, you submit proof to DDS along with a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension type.
- You can check your suspension status online through the Georgia DDS website or by calling their customer service line.
- Some suspensions have a mandatory waiting period even after you resolve the cause, so reinstatement is not when ready.
Find out why your license was suspended
Your suspension notice should state the reason. Common reasons in Georgia include unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, DUI or drug-related convictions, accumulating too many points, failure to maintain insurance, unpaid child support or medical support, and failure to pay a judgment from a traffic accident.
If you no longer have the notice, contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services directly. You can call their Customer Service Center at 678-413-8400 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) or visit the DDS website at dds.ga.gov. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number to look up your suspension status online.
Resolve the underlying cause
Once you know the reason, take the action that suspension requires. If your license was suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, contact the court that issued the ticket and pay what you owe. The court will send proof of payment to DDS automatically, or you may need to request a letter showing the debt is cleared.
If the suspension is related to a DUI or drug conviction, you may need to complete a DUI Risk Reduction Program (also called a substance abuse program) before reinstatement is possible. The court or DDS will tell you which program to attend and where. Completion typically takes several weeks.
If your suspension is for failure to maintain insurance, you will need to obtain SR-22 insurance (a certificate of financial responsibility) from an insurance company. The insurer files the SR-22 directly with DDS. You cannot straightforward buy regular insurance and expect reinstatement — it must be SR-22 specifically.
If the suspension stems from unpaid child support or medical support, contact the Georgia Department of Human Services or the court handling your support case. You must bring your account current or arrange a payment plan. Once the debt is resolved, the agency will notify DDS.
Submit proof and pay the reinstatement fee
After you have resolved the cause, gather documentation showing the issue is cleared. This might be a receipt from the court, a letter from the DUI program, an SR-22 certificate, or a notice from the child support agency. Mail these documents to the Georgia Department of Driver Services along with a completed reinstatement request form and the reinstatement fee.
The reinstatement fee in Georgia is typically $210, though some suspension types carry different fees. Check the DDS website or call customer service to confirm the exact amount for your suspension type before sending payment. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card.
Mail your documents to: Georgia Department of Driver Services, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Processing usually takes two to four weeks after DDS receives your request.
Understand mandatory waiting periods
Some suspension types include a mandatory waiting period even after you resolve the underlying cause. For example, if your license was suspended for a DUI conviction, you may have to wait a set number of days or months before reinstatement is possible, even if you completed the required program and paid all fines.
The length of the waiting period depends on whether it was a first, second, or subsequent DUI offense and whether there were aggravating factors. A first DUI suspension typically has a 120-day waiting period; subsequent offenses carry longer periods. The DDS suspension notice will state the exact date you become may be able to access for reinstatement.
If your suspension is for accumulating too many points on your driving record, you may need to wait until points expire (usually three years from the violation date) before reinstatement is possible. During this time, you cannot drive legally in Georgia.
Check your status and receive your reinstated license
After you submit your reinstatement request, you can check the status of your case by calling DDS customer service or checking the online portal. DDS will mail you a notice once your reinstatement is approved. Your new license will arrive separately by mail.
If your request is denied, the notice will explain why. Common reasons include incomplete documentation, failure to resolve the underlying cause, or a mandatory waiting period that has not yet ended. You can resubmit once you have addressed the issue.
Your reinstated license will have the same number as your suspended license unless DDS issues a replacement for other reasons. You do not need to take a new photo or written test unless your license has expired or DDS requires it for your specific suspension type.
What to do if you need to drive before reinstatement
Georgia does not issue temporary driving permits during a suspension period. If you need to drive for work or essential purposes before your license is reinstated, you have limited options. Some courts will issue a limited driving permit for specific reasons (such as driving to work or medical appointments), but this is not automatic and requires a court order.
Contact the court that handled your case or the court in the county where you live to ask whether a limited permit is available for your situation. You will need to show that driving is essential and that you have no other transportation. The court may charge a fee for issuing the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Georgia?
Processing typically takes two to four weeks after DDS receives your complete reinstatement request. However, if your suspension includes a mandatory waiting period (common for DUI), you cannot be reinstated until that period ends, even if you resolve the cause sooner. Check your suspension notice for the reinstatement may be able to access date.
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have submitted a reinstatement request?
No. Your license remains suspended until DDS officially approves your reinstatement and mails you a new license. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional charges, fines, and jail time. Do not drive until you receive written approval from DDS.
What if I cannot afford to pay the fines or fees right now?
Contact the court that issued the fine and ask about a payment plan. Many courts allow you to pay in installments. For the DDS reinstatement fee, call customer service to discuss your situation — some fee waivers or reductions may be available based on financial hardship, though this is not may provide.
Do I need to take a new driving test to get my license back?
No, unless your license has expired or DDS specifically requires it for your suspension type. Most reinstated licenses do not require a new written or road test. Your reinstated license will be valid for the remainder of your original license term.
What happens if my reinstatement request is denied?
DDS will mail you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include missing documents, an unresolved underlying cause, or a mandatory waiting period that has not ended. Once you address the issue, you can submit a new reinstatement request. You may need to pay the reinstatement fee again.