What Suspension Means in Georgia
A suspended license in Georgia means the DMV has temporarily taken away your right to drive. You cannot legally operate a vehicle during the suspension period, and driving anyway can result in criminal charges, additional fines, and a longer suspension. Unlike a revocation, which is permanent, a suspension has an end date — once you meet the conditions to restore it, you can get back on the road.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — not local police — manages all license suspensions. When your license is suspended, the DMV sends you a notice by mail explaining why, how long the suspension lasts, and what you must do to restore your driving privileges. This notice is your official record of the suspension and you will need it later.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points, and failure to maintain insurance, among other reasons.
- The DMV sends a suspension notice by mail; you must keep this notice because you will need it to restore your license.
- Driving on a suspended license is a crime in Georgia and carries jail time, fines, and an automatic extension of your suspension.
- Restoration requires you to pay all outstanding fines or fees, complete any required programs, and submit a restoration request to the DDS.
- Some suspensions can be lifted when ready once you pay what you owe; others require you to wait out a minimum period before you can restore your license.
The Most Common Reasons Georgia Suspends a License
Georgia suspends licenses for a long list of reasons, but a few account for most suspensions. Unpaid traffic fines are the single most common cause — if you do not pay a ticket within the court's important date, the court reports you to the DDS and your license is suspended automatically. Child support arrears trigger suspension through the state's child support enforcement system. A DUI conviction results in a mandatory suspension that begins when ready after conviction.
Accumulating too many points on your driving record also leads to suspension. Georgia assigns points for traffic violations — speeding, reckless driving, at-fault accidents — and if you reach 15 points within 24 months, your license is suspended for at least six months. Failure to maintain car insurance, failure to appear in court for a traffic case, and certain criminal convictions can also trigger suspension.
Medical suspensions are less common but do occur: if the DMV receives a report from a doctor or law enforcement that you have a medical condition that makes driving unsafe, they can suspend your license pending a medical review.
How the Suspension Process Works
When the DMV decides to suspend your license, they do not call you first. Instead, you receive a notice in the mail from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This notice states the reason for suspension, the effective date (usually 10 to 15 days after the notice is mailed), the length of the suspension, and the steps you must take to restore your license.
The suspension becomes active on the date listed in the notice. On that date, your license is no longer valid, even if you still have a physical card in your wallet. If you are stopped by police after the suspension date, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license. The notice also tells you whether you can request a hearing to challenge the suspension — some suspensions allow this, others do not.
If you believe the suspension is a mistake or was issued without proper notice, you have a limited window to request a hearing. The notice will specify the important date, usually 10 days from the date you receive it. Requesting a hearing does not automatically stop the suspension, but it does give you a chance to present your side before a hearing officer.
What Happens If You Drive on a Suspended License
Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a misdemeanor crime. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. A second offense within five years increases the penalty to a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. A third or subsequent offense within five years is a felony, punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and one to five years in prison.
Beyond the criminal penalty, driving on a suspended license automatically extends your suspension. The DMV adds an additional suspension period on top of your existing one — typically six months to one year, depending on the reason for the original suspension. Your vehicle can also be impounded, and you will have to pay towing and storage fees to get it back.
If you are stopped and your license is suspended, be honest with the officer. Do not attempt to drive away or hide the suspension. Having a criminal record for driving suspended makes it much harder to restore your license and affects future job and housing decisions.
Steps to Restore Your Georgia License
Restoration begins with understanding what caused your suspension, because different reasons have different requirements. Start by contacting the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8400 or visiting their website to confirm the reason and what you must do. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready when you call.
If your suspension was due to unpaid fines, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. Contact the court directly — the DMV notice usually lists the court's phone number. Once you pay, ask the court to send a clearance letter to the DDS confirming payment. This step is critical: the court must notify the DMV, or the suspension will remain active even though you paid.
If your suspension was due to a DUI, you must complete a DUI risk reduction program (also called a defensive driving course) before restoration is possible. The DDS provides a list of approved programs. You must also pay a reinstatement fee, which varies but is typically $200 to $300. Some DUI suspensions also require an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle before you can drive again.
If your suspension was due to points accumulation, you must wait out the minimum suspension period — usually six months — before you can restore your license. During this time, you cannot drive legally. After the waiting period ends, you can request restoration by submitting a form to the DDS and paying a reinstatement fee.
Once you have met all requirements, submit your restoration request to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You can do this by mail, in person at a DDS office, or online through their website. Include proof that you have completed all required steps — court clearance letters, program completion certificates, proof of insurance, and the reinstatement fee. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days.
Reinstatement Fees and Other Costs
Georgia charges a reinstatement fee to restore your license after suspension. The fee is $210 for most suspensions, though some reasons — such as suspension for failure to maintain insurance — may have different fees. You must pay this fee in addition to any fines, court costs, or program fees you already owe.
If your suspension was due to unpaid traffic fines, you owe the original fine plus court costs and any collection fees the court added. If your suspension was due to a DUI, you owe the reinstatement fee plus the cost of the DUI risk reduction program, which ranges from $100 to $400 depending on the provider. If an ignition interlock device is required, installation costs $50 to $150, and monthly monitoring fees run $60 to $100.
Some people cannot afford to pay everything at once. Contact the court or the DDS to ask about payment plans. Courts sometimes allow you to pay fines in installments, which can help you restore your license sooner. The DDS does not offer payment plans directly, but paying your fines in installments to the court counts toward meeting the restoration requirement.
Requesting a Hearing to Challenge Your Suspension
If you believe your license was suspended by mistake or without proper notice, you can request a hearing before a hearing officer at the DDS. The suspension notice will state whether your suspension is subject to a hearing — not all are. If a hearing is available, you must request it within 10 days of receiving the notice.
To request a hearing, contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services in writing or by phone. Include your name, driver's license number, the reason for suspension, and why you believe the suspension is wrong. You can argue that the court did not properly notify you of a fine, that you already paid a debt the suspension is based on, or that the suspension was issued for the wrong person.
A hearing officer will review your case and the DMV's records. You can present documents, witnesses, or other evidence to support your position. If the hearing officer agrees with you, the suspension is lifted when ready. If not, the suspension remains in effect and you must follow the normal restoration process. Requesting a hearing does not stop the suspension while you wait for the hearing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No. Georgia does not issue restricted licenses that allow you to drive to work or for medical reasons during a suspension. Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive for any reason. Driving to work on a suspended license is the same crime as driving anywhere else.
How long does a Georgia license suspension last?
The length varies by reason. A suspension for unpaid fines lasts until you pay; a suspension for points accumulation lasts at least six months; a DUI suspension lasts at least 120 days for a first offense. The DMV notice you receive will state the exact length of your suspension.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A license suspension is a DMV record, not a criminal record, so it typically does not appear on a standard background check. However, if you were charged with driving on a suspended license, that criminal charge will appear on your record. Some employers and landlords check DMV records separately, so they may see the suspension.
What if I move out of Georgia while my license is suspended?
Your Georgia suspension remains active even if you move. If you move to another state and explore for a license there, most states will discover your Georgia suspension through the National Driver Register and deny your process. You must resolve the Georgia suspension before you can get a valid license in another state.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
Georgia does not issue hardship or restricted licenses during a suspension. Your only option is to complete the restoration process and get your full license back. Some other states offer this, but Georgia does not.