Where to renew your Gwinnett County driver's license
You can renew your Georgia driver's license at any Department of Driver Services (DDS) office in Gwinnett County, or you can renew online through the Georgia DDS website if you meet certain conditions. The online option is faster — it takes about 10 minutes — but it is only available if your license is not expired, you have no medical conditions on file, and you have not had any violations or suspensions in the past five years.
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a DDS office in person. Gwinnett County has two main locations: the Lawrenceville office on Buford Drive and the Duluth office on Pleasant Hill Road. Both handle renewals during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday. You can check current hours and wait times on the Georgia DDS website before you go.
Walk-in appointments are accepted, but you can also schedule an appointment online through the Georgia DDS system. Scheduling ahead usually means a shorter wait, especially during lunch hours or late afternoon when offices are busier.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website takes about 10 minutes if your license is current and you have no medical conditions or violations on file.
- In-person renewal at a Gwinnett County DDS office requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment by card or check — cash is not accepted at all locations.
- The Lawrenceville and Duluth DDS offices both handle renewals during business hours, and you can schedule an appointment online or walk in.
- A standard five-year renewal costs $32, and the new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after your visit.
Documents you need to bring to the DDS office
Bring your current Georgia driver's license. If you have lost it or it was stolen, you will need to report that to the DDS office before you can renew, and the process becomes a replacement rather than a renewal.
You also need one document that proves your current address in Gwinnett County. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. A government-issued ID with your current address also counts. If you have recently moved and your documents do not yet show your new address, bring a letter from your landlord or a recent lease showing the move-in date.
Bring a payment method — debit card, credit card, or check. Some DDS offices do not accept cash, so card or check is safest. The renewal fee for a standard five-year license is $32.
What happens during your in-person renewal visit
When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give the staff member your current license and proof of address. They will verify your information and take a new photo for your license. You will be asked to sign a form confirming your address and any medical conditions that should appear on your license.
The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes from check-in to payment. You will pay the $32 renewal fee by card or check at that time. The DDS office will give you a receipt that serves as a temporary license valid for 45 days — you can drive on this receipt while you wait for your new license to arrive by mail.
Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided at the office. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license sooner, some DDS offices offer expedited mail for an additional fee, though this is not available at all locations.
Renewing online through the Georgia DDS website
To renew online, go to the Georgia DDS website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against state records.
You can pay the $32 renewal fee by debit card or credit card only — no checks or cash. After you complete the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days, and you can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is not available if your license is already expired, if you have a medical condition code on your license, or if you have had any traffic violations, suspensions, or revocations in the past five years. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person at a DDS office.
What to do if your license has expired
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew it — you must start over with a new license, which requires a written test, a vision test, and a road test. This is treated as a new license rather than a renewal and costs more.
If your license expired less than two years ago, you can still renew it at a DDS office. Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal: your expired license, proof of current address, and payment. The renewal fee is the same $32, and the process is the same as renewing a current license.
You cannot drive on an expired license, even if you are in the process of renewing it. If you are pulled over, you can show the officer your receipt from the DDS office as proof that you have started the renewal, but this does not give you legal permission to drive. Renew before your license expires to avoid this situation.
Renewing a license with a medical condition or violation on file
If your license has a medical condition code — such as corrective lenses required, hearing aid required, or a seizure disorder — you must renew in person at a DDS office. The office will review your condition and may ask you to provide updated medical documentation or take a vision or hearing test.
If you have had any traffic violations, suspensions, or revocations in the past five years, you also cannot renew online. You must visit a DDS office in person. The office will verify that your driving record is clear enough to renew your license. If your license is currently suspended or revoked, you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
Contact the Georgia DDS before your visit if you are unsure whether a condition or violation on your record will affect your renewal. The DDS phone line can tell you whether you are able to renew and what documents you may need to bring.
How to schedule an appointment or check wait times
Go to the Georgia DDS website and use the appointment scheduling tool. Select Gwinnett County, choose the office location you prefer (Lawrenceville or Duluth), and pick a date and time that works for you. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment number.
If you prefer to walk in without an appointment, you can check current wait times on the same website before you leave home. Wait times change throughout the day, and they are usually shorter in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid midday if you can.
If you have questions about your specific situation before you visit, call the Georgia DDS customer service line. They can tell you whether you can renew online, what documents you need, or whether anything on your record might delay your renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have moved out of Gwinnett County?
No. You must renew your license in the county where you currently live. If you have moved to a different Georgia county, you will need to visit a DDS office in that county. If you have moved out of Georgia, you will need to get a license from your new state.
What if I lost my current license and cannot bring it to the DDS office?
You can still renew, but you will need to report the lost license first. Bring your proof of address and payment, and tell the DDS staff that your license is lost. They will file a report and then process your renewal. The fee is still $32.
How long is my receipt valid as a temporary license?
Your receipt is valid for 45 days from the date you visit the DDS office. If your new license has not arrived by mail within that time, contact the Georgia DDS to check the status. You can drive on the receipt during this entire period.
Can I renew my license by mail?
No. Georgia does not offer mail-in renewal for driver's licenses. You must either renew online through the Georgia DDS website or visit a DDS office in person.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
Bring documentation of your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — along with your current license and proof of address. The DDS office will update your name during the renewal process at no extra cost.