What to do if your Georgia driver's license has already expired
If your Georgia driver's license has expired, you cannot legally drive until you renew it. The good news is that Georgia lets you renew an expired license through the mail or online, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you have made any changes to your information since it was issued.
The fastest route depends on when your license expired. If it expired fewer than five years ago and your address, name, and other details are still the same, you can renew by mail or online without visiting a driver's license office. If it expired more than five years ago, or if you have changed your name or address, you will need to go in person to a Georgia Department of Driver Services office.
Key Takeaways
- Expired licenses expired fewer than five years ago can be renewed by mail or online if your personal information has not changed.
- You will need your expired license, a completed DL 44 form, and proof of your current address to renew by mail.
- Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website takes about 10 minutes and costs $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must visit a driver's license office in person and bring documents proving your identity and Georgia residency.
- Georgia driver's license offices often have long wait times; you can check current wait times on the DDS website before you go.
Renewing by mail if your license expired within five years
To renew by mail, you will need to send three things to the Georgia Department of Driver Services: your expired license, a completed DL 44 form (the standard driver's license process), and proof of your current address.
You can read the DL 44 form from the Georgia DDS website or pick one up at any driver's license office. Fill out the form completely, including your signature. For proof of address, Georgia accepts a utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. Mail everything to the address listed on the form — currently the Georgia DDS mail processing center in Atlanta.
Processing takes about two to three weeks after the DDS receives your envelope. You will receive your new license by mail at the address you listed on the form. The cost is $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by check or money order.
Renewing online through the Georgia DDS website
Online renewal is the fastest option if your license expired within five years and your information has not changed. Go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services website and select "Renew Your License Online." You will need your expired license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).
The process takes about 10 minutes. You will answer questions about your current address, whether your vision has changed, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. At the end, you will pay the renewal fee ($32 for four years or $64 for eight years) and receive a confirmation number.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary digital license on your phone that you can show to a police officer if you are stopped while waiting for the physical card to arrive.
When you must visit a driver's license office in person
You cannot renew by mail or online if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you have changed your name, address, or other information since the license was issued. In these cases, you must visit a Georgia Department of Driver Services office.
Bring your expired license, proof of your identity (a passport, birth certificate, or military ID), and proof of your current Georgia address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If you changed your name, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.
Wait times at Georgia driver's license offices vary widely by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the Georgia DDS website before you go. Many offices are busiest on Mondays and Fridays and during lunch hours, so visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning often means a shorter wait.
What happens if you drive with an expired license
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Georgia, even if you have already started the renewal process. If a police officer stops you, you can be cited for driving with an expired license, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and possible jail time.
If you have applied for renewal and have a confirmation number or receipt showing your process is pending, some officers may issue a warning instead of a citation. Keep your confirmation number or receipt with you while you wait for your new license to arrive.
Renewing a license that expired while you were out of state
If you were living outside Georgia when your license expired but have since moved back, you can still renew by mail or online if the license expired fewer than five years ago and your information has not changed. Use the same process as above.
If your license expired more than five years ago, or if you moved to Georgia after it expired, you will need to visit a driver's license office in person. Bring your expired Georgia license along with proof of your current Georgia address and identity. The office will process your renewal the same way they would for any other in-person renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive until you receive your new license, even if you have submitted a renewal request. If you renewed online, you will receive a temporary digital license on your phone that you can show to a police officer, but a physical license is required for most purposes.
What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it?
You can still renew. If you are renewing by mail, send a letter explaining that your license is lost and include your driver's license number if you know it. If you are renewing in person, bring your proof of identity and address; the office can look up your license number in their system.
How much does it cost to renew an expired Georgia license?
A four-year license costs $32 and an eight-year license costs $64. You pay the same amount whether you renew by mail, online, or in person. Payment methods vary by renewal type: mail accepts checks or money orders, while online accepts debit or credit cards.
What if my vision or medical information has changed since my license expired?
If you are renewing online or by mail, you will be asked whether your vision or medical conditions have changed. Answer honestly. If you need a vision test, the online system will tell you to visit a driver's license office instead. If you are renewing in person, the office can arrange a vision test on the spot if needed.
Can I renew my license if I owe traffic fines or child support?
Georgia can suspend your license if you owe certain debts, including unpaid traffic fines or child support. Before you renew, check the Georgia DDS website or call your local driver's license office to see whether your license is suspended for any reason. If it is, you will need to resolve the debt before your renewal can be processed.