Georgia lets you renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires

You can submit a renewal request to the Georgia Department of Driver Services starting 12 months before your current license expires. This means if your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can begin the renewal process as early as March 15, 2024. The state does not penalize you for renewing early — you straightforward get a new license with a new expiration date that is eight years from the date you renew (for standard adult licenses).

The reason to renew early is usually practical: you might be traveling internationally and need a Real ID-compliant license, you might have lost your license and need a replacement, or you might straightforward want to avoid the rush closer to your expiration date. Georgia's online renewal system and mail-in options make early renewal straightforward if you meet the requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your Georgia driver's license starting exactly 12 months before the expiration date printed on your current license.
  • Renewing early gives you a new license with a new eight-year expiration date, so you are not shortening the total time your license is valid.
  • Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website is the fastest option if you have not changed your address, name, or other personal information.
  • If you renew by mail, send your current license and the completed form to the address on the Georgia DDS website, and expect to wait two to three weeks for your new license to arrive.
  • You must renew in person at a DDS office if you have changed your address, name, or vision correction needs since your last renewal.

How to check your current license expiration date

Your expiration date is printed on the front of your driver's license in the lower right corner. It appears as a date in the format MM/DD/YYYY. Count back 12 months from that date to find the earliest day you can renew.

If you have lost your license or cannot read the date clearly, you can call the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8400 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) and provide your driver's license number. A staff member can tell you your expiration date over the phone.

Renewing online through the Georgia DDS website

Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient option if your personal information has not changed. Go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services website and select the renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee for a standard eight-year renewal is $32.

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Online renewal is only available if you have not changed your name, address, or vision correction status since your last renewal.

Renewing by mail if you prefer not to go online

If you do not want to renew online, you can mail in your renewal. read the DL 44 form from the Georgia DDS website, fill it out completely, and mail it along with your current driver's license to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $32 made out to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Mail-in renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the time the DDS office receives your materials. There is no way to track your renewal by mail, so if you do not receive your new license within four weeks, call the DDS at 678-413-8400 to check the status. Keep your current license until your new one arrives, since you will need it to drive legally.

When you must renew in person at a DDS office

You cannot use online or mail renewal if you have changed your name, moved to a different address, or changed your vision correction status (for example, if you now need glasses when you did not before, or no longer need them). You also must renew in person if you want to change your gender marker or if your current license is damaged or illegible.

To renew in person, visit any Georgia DDS office with your current driver's license, proof of your new address if you have moved (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment of $32. Bring any additional documents if you have changed your name, such as a marriage certificate or court order. The office will issue your new license on the spot, though you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is.

Real ID compliance and early renewal

If you need a Real ID-compliant license (required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025), you can renew early to get one. A Real ID license has a small star in the upper right corner. When you renew online or in person, you can request Real ID status. If you renew by mail, note on the DL 44 form that you want Real ID compliance.

Real ID renewal requires additional documents: a valid passport, passport card, or enhanced driver's license; proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form); and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). If you renew in person, bring these documents with you. If you renew by mail, include copies with your process.

What happens to your old license after you renew

Once your new license arrives, your old license is no longer valid for driving, even though it may not be expired yet. You do not need to return it to the DDS — you can keep it as a form of identification or destroy it. Some people keep their old license as a backup form of ID for non-driving purposes, such as proving your age at a bar or bank.

If you renew in person at a DDS office, the staff will take your old license and destroy it on the spot. You will leave the office with only your new license.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I renew early, does my new license expire sooner?

No. Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew, regardless of when you renew. If you renew 12 months early, your new expiration date will be eight years from that early renewal date, not eight years from your original expiration date.

Can I renew more than 12 months before my license expires?

No. The Georgia DDS system will not process a renewal request more than 12 months before your expiration date. If you try to renew earlier than that, the system will reject your request and tell you to try again closer to your expiration date.

What if I renew online but then realize I need to change my address?

If you submitted an online renewal but have not yet received your new license, call the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 when ready. Explain that you need to change your address before your license is printed. If they have not yet printed your license, they may be able to update your information. If your license has already been printed and mailed, you will need to renew again in person at a DDS office with your new address.

How much does early renewal cost?

Early renewal costs the same as a regular renewal: $32 for a standard eight-year driver's license. There is no additional fee for renewing before your current license expires.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Georgia does not automatically block license renewal for unpaid traffic fines, but some counties may suspend your license if you fail to pay or appear in court. Before you renew, check with the court in the county where you received the ticket to make sure there are no holds on your license. You can find contact information for Georgia courts on the state judicial system website.