How to renew your Georgia driver license
You can renew your Georgia driver license in person at any Department of Driver Services (DDS) office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Georgia DDS website. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have before expiration, and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most people renew either online or by mail because both are faster than going to an office, but you must visit in person if your license has been expired for more than two years or if you need to change your address.
Georgia driver licenses are valid for eight years from the date of issue. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, though online and mail renewal require that your license will not expire for at least 30 days. The renewal fee is $32 regardless of which method you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia offers three renewal paths: online (fastest, takes minutes), by mail (takes one to two weeks), or in person at a DDS office (same-day service but requires a visit).
- You can renew online or by mail only if your current license is valid and will not expire for at least 30 days, and you have not changed your address.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and will need to pass a vision test and written exam.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you renew online or by mail; in-person renewal gives you a temporary license when ready.
- Georgia driver licenses are valid for eight years, so you will not need to renew again until your new expiration date.
Renewing online through the Georgia DDS website
Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes. Go to the Georgia DDS website, select "Renew Your License," and log in with your driver license number and date of birth. You will answer questions about your current address, any name changes, and whether your vision and medical status have changed. You do not need to upload documents or take a new photo — Georgia uses your existing photo on file.
Online renewal costs $32 and you pay by credit or debit card. Once you complete the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your confirmation number as proof of renewal if you are stopped by police before the physical license arrives.
You can only renew online if your current license is valid (not expired), will not expire for at least 30 days, and your address has not changed. If you moved recently or your license is already expired, you must use the mail or in-person method instead.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal takes one to two weeks and requires you to send documents to the DDS. First, read and print the renewal form from the Georgia DDS website (form DL 44). Fill it out completely, including your current address, any name changes, and answers about your vision and medical status. Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form along with a copy of your current driver license (front and back) and a check or money order for $32 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with your address if you want your old license returned. Mail your packet to the DDS processing center — the address is on the form and also on the Georgia DDS website.
Like online renewal, mail renewal is only available if your license is currently valid and will not expire for at least 30 days. You also cannot change your address by mail — if you moved, you must renew in person. Processing takes one to two weeks from the date the DDS receives your packet, and your new license will arrive by mail after that.
Renewing in person at a DDS office
In-person renewal is necessary if your license has expired, if it will expire within 30 days, if you need to change your address, or if you have not renewed in more than eight years. Bring your current driver license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $32 in cash, check, or card. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a document proving the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Visit any DDS office during business hours — most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations use an online reservation system to manage wait times. Check the Georgia DDS website to find the office nearest you and see whether reservations are recommended.
At the office, you will have your photo taken, pass a vision test, and pay the renewal fee. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed. Your new license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license expired more than two years ago
If your Georgia driver license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if getting a license for the first time. This means you will need to visit a DDS office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pass a vision test, and pass the written knowledge exam about Georgia traffic laws.
Bring your expired license, a birth certificate or passport, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address. You will also need to provide your full legal name and date of birth. The fee for a new license is $32. The process takes longer than a standard renewal because of the written exam, so plan for at least an hour at the office.
Tracking your renewed license and what to do if it does not arrive
If you renewed online or by mail, you received a confirmation number. You can use that number to check the status of your license on the Georgia DDS website. The status will show whether your process has been received, processed, or mailed.
Your new license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days of processing. If more than two weeks have passed since you renewed and you have not received it, contact the DDS customer service line at 678-413-8400. Have your confirmation number ready. If your license was lost or damaged in the mail, the DDS can reissue it at no extra charge.
Understanding Georgia license validity and expiration dates
A Georgia driver license is valid for eight years from the date of issue. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, though online and mail renewal require that your license will not expire for at least 30 days.
If your license expires while you are out of state or unable to renew, you have a grace period of 30 days to renew without penalty. After 30 days, driving with an expired license is a violation. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must reapply rather than renew, which involves the written exam and longer processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia driver license if I moved to another state?
No. If you no longer live in Georgia, you must get a driver license from your new state of residence. You cannot renew a Georgia license if your address is outside Georgia. If you moved temporarily but still live in Georgia, you can renew by mail or in person using your new Georgia address.
What if my name changed since my last license?
If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person and bring a document proving the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew online or by mail with a name change. Bring the name-change document along with your current license and payment.
Do I need a new photo for my Georgia license renewal?
Only if you renew in person. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo on file. If you renew at a DDS office, you will have a new photo taken. Georgia keeps your photo on file for eight years, so you will get a new one when you renew.
What if I lost my license before it expired?
If your license is lost or stolen, you must get a replacement at a DDS office in person. Bring your birth certificate or passport, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your address. A replacement costs $32. Once you have a replacement, you can renew it by mail or online when it nears expiration, just like a regular license.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?
Georgia does not suspend renewal for unpaid traffic tickets or fines. However, if your license has been suspended for other reasons (such as unpaid child support or a DUI conviction), you must clear the suspension before you can renew. Contact the DDS or the agency that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do.