Where to check your Georgia driver license status
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) lets you check your license status online through their official website without creating an account. Go to dds.georgia.gov, find the "License Status" tool, and enter your driver license number and date of birth. The system will show you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
If you prefer to check by phone, call the DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400. Have your license number ready. You can also visit a DDS office in person — there are locations across Georgia, and staff can print your status on the spot.
The online tool is the fastest option and works 24 hours a day. Results appear when ready, so you will know right away if there is a problem with your license.
Key Takeaways
- Check your Georgia license status free at dds.georgia.gov using your license number and date of birth.
- A suspended license means you cannot drive legally; a revoked license is more serious and requires a hearing to restore.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or medical conditions reported to DDS.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you must resolve the underlying issue before you can restore driving privileges.
- You can call DDS at 678-413-8400 or visit a local office if you need help understanding why your status changed.
What different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. Expired means the date printed on your card has passed; you cannot drive on an expired license, but renewal is usually straightforward.
Suspended means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support ordered by a court, medical conditions reported to DDS, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. A suspension can last weeks or years depending on the cause.
Revoked is more serious than suspended. It means DDS has permanently cancelled your license. You cannot drive at all, and you must go through a formal hearing process to ask for your license back. Revocation usually happens after multiple suspensions, DUI convictions, or serious traffic violations.
Why your license might be suspended
Georgia suspends licenses for many reasons beyond traffic violations. If you owe money on traffic fines or court costs, DDS will suspend your license until you pay. If you are behind on child support ordered by a Georgia court, the state can suspend your license to pressure payment.
Medical suspensions happen when a doctor reports to DDS that you have a condition that makes driving unsafe — seizures, severe vision loss, or loss of consciousness. You can request a hearing to challenge a medical suspension if you believe the report is wrong or if your condition has improved.
Point suspensions occur when you accumulate too many violation points in a short time. Georgia assigns points for speeding, reckless driving, at-fault accidents, and other violations. The threshold depends on your age and how long you have held a license.
How to restore a suspended license
First, find out exactly why your license was suspended by checking the status online or calling DDS. The reason determines what you must do next.
If the suspension is for unpaid fines, you must pay the court or the collection agency handling the debt. Once paid, contact the court or DDS to confirm the payment was received. Suspensions for unpaid fines usually lift within a few business days after payment clears.
If the suspension is for child support arrears, you must contact the Georgia Department of Human Services or your local child support office. You may be able to set up a payment plan rather than paying the full amount at once. Once you are current or have an approved plan in place, DDS will be notified and your suspension will lift.
For medical suspensions, you can request a hearing through DDS. You will need medical documentation showing that your condition no longer prevents safe driving, or that the original report was inaccurate. Submit your request and supporting documents to the DDS Medical Review Unit.
Restoring a revoked license
A revoked license requires a formal hearing before the DDS Hearing Officer. You cannot straightforward pay a fine or wait out the time — you must request a hearing and present your case for why your license should be restored.
Contact the DDS Hearing Section to request a hearing. You will need to explain what has changed since the revocation and why you should be allowed to drive again. For DUI-related revocations, you may need to complete a substance abuse program and provide proof of completion.
The hearing process takes weeks or months. During that time, you cannot drive. If the Hearing Officer rules in your favor, your license will be restored. If not, you can request another hearing after a waiting period, which varies depending on the reason for revocation.
What to do if you disagree with your status
If you believe your license status is wrong — for example, if you paid a fine but the suspension is still showing, or if you think a medical report is inaccurate — contact DDS directly. Call 678-413-8400 and explain the situation. DDS staff can sometimes resolve the issue over the phone if it is a processing delay.
If the issue is not resolved by phone, you can request a hearing. For medical suspensions, request a hearing with the Medical Review Unit. For other disputes, request a hearing with the DDS Hearing Section. You will receive a hearing date by mail, and you can present evidence or testimony to support your case.
Keep copies of any documents that support your position — proof of payment, medical records, court orders, or correspondence with DDS. Bring these to your hearing.
How long suspensions and revocations last
Suspension length varies widely. A suspension for unpaid fines lasts until you pay. A suspension for accumulating points typically lasts 6 months to 1 year, depending on how many points you had. A suspension for failure to pay child support lasts until you are current or have an approved payment plan.
Revocations are permanent unless and until you win a hearing to restore your license. Some revocations have a mandatory waiting period before you can even request a hearing — for example, a DUI revocation may require you to wait 1 to 5 years depending on your history.
The DDS website or a phone call to customer service will tell you the specific duration of your suspension or the waiting period before you can request a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a court date scheduled?
No. A suspended license means you cannot drive legally, even to get to court. You will need another licensed driver, a taxi, or public transportation. Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime and can result in arrest, fines, and jail time.
How long does it take for a suspension to show up after a violation?
It depends on the reason. A suspension for unpaid fines may take weeks or months to process, since the court must report the debt to DDS. A medical suspension can happen within days of a doctor's report. Check your status online to see the current situation rather than waiting to find out by mail.
What if I need to drive for work while my license is suspended?
Georgia does not issue "work-only" licenses for suspensions. Your only option is to resolve the underlying issue — pay the fine, get current on child support, or win a hearing — to restore full driving privileges. Some employers may allow you to take unpaid leave during a suspension.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. DDS will only release license status to the license holder. If you need information about another person's license for legal reasons, you may need to go through a court process or contact an attorney.
What happens if I move out of Georgia while my license is suspended?
Your Georgia suspension remains in effect. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, most states will discover the Georgia suspension through the National Driver Register and deny your process. You must resolve the Georgia suspension first.