Georgia's DUI suspension is not automatic reinstatement

A DUI conviction in Georgia triggers a mandatory driver's license suspension, but your license does not come back on its own after the suspension period ends. You must take specific steps with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) to have it reinstated. The length of your suspension and what you must do depends on whether it is your first offense, how many prior DUIs you have had, and whether you refused a breath or blood test.

Georgia treats DUI suspensions differently from other traffic violations. A regular suspension lifts automatically; a DUI suspension requires you to file paperwork, pay a reinstatement fee, and often show proof that you have completed required programs before DDS will restore your driving privileges.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Georgia license suspension does not end automatically after the suspension period — you must file a reinstatement request with the Department of Driver Services.
  • First-time DUI offenders face a minimum 120-day suspension; refusal of a breath or blood test adds an additional 12 months to the suspension period.
  • Before requesting reinstatement, you must complete a DUI Risk Reduction Program (also called a DUI school) and pay the reinstatement fee, which is $210 for a first offense.
  • You will need to provide proof of program completion and proof of insurance (SR22 or FR44) when you file your reinstatement request.
  • If you have prior DUI convictions, your suspension period is longer and you may face additional requirements such as an ignition interlock device.

Suspension lengths based on your DUI history

Georgia's suspension period depends on how many DUI convictions you have had in the past ten years. A first offense carries a minimum 120-day suspension. If you refused the breath or blood test, the refusal suspension is 12 months, and it runs separately from the conviction suspension — meaning you serve both.

A second DUI within ten years results in a minimum one-year suspension. A third DUI within ten years means a minimum three-year suspension. A fourth or subsequent DUI within ten years results in a five-year suspension and a permanent revocation after that conviction.

The clock on your suspension starts the day your license is suspended by the arresting officer or the court, not the day of your conviction. If you were arrested on January 15 and your license was suspended that day, your 120-day suspension ends around May 15, even if your case does not go to trial or sentencing until later.

DUI Risk Reduction Program completion is required before reinstatement

Before you can request reinstatement, you must complete a DUI Risk Reduction Program approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This program is commonly called DUI school. It is a classroom-based course that covers the dangers of impaired driving, the effects of alcohol and drugs, and decision-making strategies.

The program typically runs 8 to 12 hours and is offered by private providers throughout Georgia. You can search for approved providers on the DDS website. The cost varies by provider but usually ranges from $150 to $300. You must pay for the program yourself; it is not covered by the state.

You can enroll in the program before your suspension period ends, but you cannot complete it until after your suspension has begun. Many people complete it during the suspension so that the certificate of completion is ready when the suspension period ends. You will receive a certificate when you finish, and you must keep this certificate to submit with your reinstatement request.

SR22 or FR44 insurance is required for reinstatement

Georgia requires you to carry SR22 insurance (or FR44 insurance if you were driving with a suspended license at the time of the DUI) before your license can be reinstated. An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have liability insurance. It is not a separate insurance policy — it is a form your insurance company files with DDS on your behalf.

FR44 insurance is the same concept but requires higher liability limits: $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident, compared to Georgia's standard $25,000/$50,000. You need FR44 only if you were driving with a suspended or revoked license when arrested for the DUI.

Your insurance company will not file the SR22 or FR44 until you ask them to. Contact your current insurer or a high-risk insurance provider and request that they file the form with DDS. The filing fee is usually $15 to $25. The SR22 or FR44 must be active and on file before you submit your reinstatement request, or DDS will deny it.

The reinstatement request process and fees

Once your suspension period has ended, your DUI Risk Reduction Program is complete, and your SR22 or FR44 is on file, you can request reinstatement. You have two options: request it in person at a DDS office or by mail.

To request reinstatement in person, visit your local DDS office with your certificate of program completion and a valid photo ID. Tell the staff member you are requesting reinstatement after a DUI suspension. They will verify that your suspension period has ended, that your program certificate is on file, and that your SR22 or FR44 is active. If everything is in order, you will pay the reinstatement fee and receive a new license on the spot.

To request reinstatement by mail, send a letter to the Georgia Department of Driver Services at P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Include your name, date of birth, driver's license number, a copy of your DUI Risk Reduction Program certificate, and a check or money order for the reinstatement fee. Processing by mail takes two to four weeks.

The reinstatement fee is $210 for a first DUI offense. For a second offense, it is $410. For a third or subsequent offense, it is $510. These fees are in addition to any court fines, DUI school costs, or insurance premiums you have already paid.

Ignition interlock requirements for repeat offenders

If you have a prior DUI conviction within the past ten years, Georgia may require you to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle as a condition of reinstatement. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer connected to your car's ignition; you must blow into it before the engine will start, and it will not start if it detects alcohol.

For a second DUI, an ignition interlock is required for a minimum of 12 months. For a third DUI, it is required for a minimum of 18 months. For a fourth or subsequent DUI, it is required for a minimum of 24 months. The device costs $60 to $100 per month to lease and maintain, and you pay for it yourself.

If an ignition interlock is required in your case, you must have it installed before you request reinstatement. When you submit your reinstatement request, you will need to provide proof of installation. DDS will not reinstate your license without it.

What happens if you drive during suspension

Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a separate criminal offense. If you are caught driving during your DUI suspension, you face additional charges, fines, jail time, and an extended suspension period. A first offense of driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $250 to $1,000. Your suspension will be extended, and you may lose your reinstatement may be able to access entirely.

Even if you have a hardship license (which Georgia may grant for work or medical reasons), you are still subject to the ignition interlock requirement if one applies to you. Violating the terms of a hardship license can result in criminal charges and permanent revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license while my DUI suspension is active?

Yes. Georgia allows a hardship license for work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs during a DUI suspension. You must request it from the court that handled your DUI case, not from DDS. A hardship license does not shorten your suspension period; it only allows you to drive for specific purposes during the suspension.

What if I move out of Georgia before my suspension ends?

Your Georgia DUI suspension follows you. If you move to another state, you must still complete your suspension period and reinstatement process with Georgia DDS before you can transfer your driving privileges to your new state. Most states will not issue you a license until Georgia confirms your suspension is lifted.

How long does reinstatement take if I do it in person?

If you visit a DDS office in person with all required documents and fees, reinstatement is usually completed the same day. You will receive a new license before you leave the office. By mail, the process takes two to four weeks.

Do I have to take the DUI school again if I get another DUI?

Yes. Each DUI conviction requires completion of a separate DUI Risk Reduction Program. If you are convicted of a second DUI, you must complete the program again before you can request reinstatement for that offense, even if you already completed it for your first DUI.

What if my SR22 lapses before I request reinstatement?

If your SR22 or FR44 lapses or is canceled before you submit your reinstatement request, DDS will deny your request. You must have continuous coverage from the date you file until your license is reinstated. If your coverage lapses, you will need to have your insurance company file a new SR22 or FR44 and resubmit your reinstatement request.