Check your suspension status directly with Georgia DDS
The fastest way to find out whether your Georgia driver's license is suspended is to contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) directly. You can check your status online through the DDS website, by phone, or in person at a local DDS office. Georgia does not charge a fee to look up your suspension status.
The online method is available 24/7: go to the Georgia DDS website, select "License Status Check," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked. If you prefer to speak with someone, call the DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Have your license number ready.
If you visit a DDS office in person, bring your license or a form of identification. Staff can print a document showing your current status, which you may need if you plan to contest the suspension or explore for reinstatement. DDS office locations and hours are listed on the Georgia DDS website by county.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia DDS can tell you your suspension status online, by phone at 678-413-8400, or at any local DDS office, and checking costs nothing.
- Common reasons for Georgia suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, accumulation of points, and unpaid child support.
- A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you address the underlying reason — paying fines, clearing a failure to appear, or completing a required course.
- Driving on a suspended license in Georgia is a crime and can result in arrest, additional fines, and a longer suspension period.
- Once you resolve the reason for suspension, you must request reinstatement through DDS, which may involve a fee and a waiting period.
What the DDS status check will tell you
When you check your status, the system or DDS staff will show you whether your license is suspended and, in most cases, why. Georgia suspensions fall into several categories: administrative suspension (usually for unpaid fines or failure to appear), point-based suspension (accumulation of traffic violations), medical suspension (reported medical condition), or suspension for non-driving reasons such as unpaid child support or failure to pay court costs.
The status report will also show whether your suspension is still active or has expired. Some suspensions are temporary and automatically lift after a set period if the underlying issue is resolved. Others remain in effect until you take specific action. If the reason for your suspension is not clear from the status check, ask DDS staff to explain it — you need to know what you must do to get your license back.
Common reasons Georgia suspends licenses
Georgia suspends licenses for traffic-related violations and for non-traffic reasons. The most common traffic-related suspensions are for accumulating too many points (15 points in 24 months, 20 points in 36 months, or 24 points in 60 months), failing to pay a traffic fine, or failing to appear in court for a traffic ticket. A single serious violation — such as driving under the influence — can also trigger suspension.
Non-traffic suspensions in Georgia include failure to pay child support, failure to pay court-ordered fines or restitution, and medical suspension if DDS receives a report that you have a condition that makes driving unsafe. Some suspensions are also issued for failure to maintain auto insurance or for unpaid vehicle registration fees. The reason matters because it determines what you must do to get reinstated.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license in Georgia
Driving with a suspended license in Georgia is a misdemeanor crime. A first offense can result in a fine of $250 to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. You can also be arrested on the spot, and your vehicle may be impounded. A second offense within five years carries a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and at least 10 days in jail.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license extends your suspension period. Georgia typically adds an additional suspension on top of the original one, meaning you will be without a license even longer. If you are stopped and your license is suspended, do not attempt to negotiate or explain — ask for a written citation and contact a lawyer or DDS to understand your options.
Steps to reinstate your suspended license
Reinstatement depends on why your license was suspended. If the suspension was for unpaid fines, you must pay the fine in full to the court or traffic violation payment system. If it was for failure to appear, you must resolve the court case — either appear in court or work with the court to clear the failure to appear. If it was for points, you may need to wait out the suspension period or take a defensive driving course, depending on Georgia's rules at the time of your suspension.
Once you have resolved the underlying reason, contact DDS to request reinstatement. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. Some reinstatements are processed when ready; others require a waiting period or a reinstatement fee (typically $210 for a standard reinstatement in Georgia, though this varies). DDS will confirm when your license is active again. Do not drive until you have received written confirmation from DDS that your suspension has been lifted.
If you believe your suspension is a mistake
If you check your status and believe the suspension is incorrect — for example, you paid a fine but it still shows unpaid, or you appeared in court but it still shows failure to appear — contact DDS when ready with documentation. Bring proof of payment (a receipt or bank statement) or proof of appearance (a court document or letter from the court). DDS can sometimes correct errors on the spot, but if the error is in the court system rather than the DDS system, you may need to contact the court directly.
If DDS cannot resolve the issue, ask for a written explanation of the suspension and the contact information for the court or agency that initiated it. You have the right to contest a suspension through Georgia's administrative process, though this typically requires written correspondence and may take several weeks. Keep all documentation of your efforts to resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended in Georgia?
Georgia offers a Limited Driving Permit (LDP) in some suspension cases, which allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court. You must request an LDP from DDS and meet specific requirements depending on the reason for your suspension. Not all suspension reasons may have access to for an LDP — for example, suspensions for driving under the influence have different rules. Contact DDS to ask whether you are may be able to access.
How long does a Georgia license suspension last?
The length varies by reason. Point-based suspensions typically last 30 days for a first offense, 60 days for a second, and longer for subsequent offenses. Suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear last until you resolve the underlying issue. Suspensions for serious violations like DUI can last months or years. Check your status with DDS to see the specific duration of your suspension.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A driver's license suspension is a public record and may appear on background checks conducted by employers, landlords, or lenders. It is not a criminal conviction, but it does indicate a legal issue. Once your license is reinstated, the suspension remains part of your driving history but is no longer active.
What if I moved out of Georgia while my license was suspended?
If you moved to another state, your Georgia suspension remains on your record. You cannot legally drive in any state on a suspended Georgia license. If you now live in another state and want to drive, you must first resolve your Georgia suspension, then obtain a license in your new state. Contact Georgia DDS to begin the reinstatement process even if you no longer live there.