What you need to renew in Georgia

Georgia lets you renew your driver license in person at a 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 expired, how long it has been expired, and whether you need a Real ID-compliant license.

If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew by mail or online without a vision test or new photograph. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025), you must go to a DDS office in person and bring specific documents proving your identity and Georgia residency.

Georgia charges $32 for a standard four-year renewal and $64 for an eight-year renewal. The online and mail routes are faster and cheaper in time than visiting an office, but they do not produce a Real ID license.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at georgia.gov/dds if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you do not need a Real ID.
  • Mail renewal takes about two weeks and costs $32, but requires your expired license and a completed form mailed to the DDS address.
  • In-person renewal at a DDS office is the only way to get a Real ID-compliant license and is required if your license expired more than five years ago.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address for any renewal method.
  • DDS offices do not require an appointment for standard renewals, but wait times vary by location and time of day.

Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website

The Georgia DDS website at georgia.gov/dds has an online renewal portal that works if your license expired fewer than five years ago. You will need your driver license number, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will ask you to upload a new photograph or use the one on file.

The online process takes about 10 minutes. Once you complete it, the DDS mails your new license to the address on file. Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days. You can pay the $32 renewal fee with a debit or credit card during the online transaction.

If the system rejects your process — usually because it cannot verify your identity or your license has been expired too long — you will see an error message telling you to renew in person or by mail instead.

Mail renewal and what to send

To renew by mail, you must read and print the DL 44 form from the Georgia DDS website, fill it out completely, and mail it with your expired license and a check or money order for $32 to the address listed on the form. The form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and signature.

Mail your packet to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Include a return envelope with postage if you want the DDS to mail your new license back to you. Processing by mail takes 10 to 14 business days from the day the DDS receives your packet, plus mail transit time both ways.

Mail renewal works only if your license expired fewer than five years ago. If it expired longer ago, the DDS will return your packet and direct you to renew in person.

In-person renewal at a DDS office

Visit any Georgia DDS office with your expired license, proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), proof of Georgia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and proof of identity if your name has changed since your last license. You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal.

Bring cash or a debit or credit card to pay the $32 renewal fee at the office. The DDS will take a new photograph and conduct a vision test. Your new license is printed on site and you leave with it the same day, or it is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days if the office is out of stock.

Wait times at DDS offices vary widely by location and time of day. Offices in rural areas and smaller cities typically have shorter waits than those in Atlanta and its suburbs. Visiting early in the morning on a weekday usually means a shorter wait than afternoons or weekends.

Getting a Real ID-compliant license in Georgia

A Real ID-compliant license has a gold star in the upper right corner and is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings starting May 7, 2025. You must renew in person at a DDS office to get one, even if your current license is not yet expired.

Bring your expired or current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of Georgia residency dated within the last 60 days, and one of the following documents proving your identity: a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, certified birth certificate, or naturalization papers. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

The Real ID renewal costs $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. The DDS will take a new photograph and conduct a vision test. You receive your Real ID license on site or by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years

If your Georgia driver license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a DDS office in person. The DDS treats this as a new license rather than a renewal, which means you must pass a vision test and written knowledge test.

Bring your expired license if you have it, proof of Social Security number, proof of Georgia residency, and proof of identity. Study the Georgia Driver's Manual before you go, because the knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The manual is free on the Georgia DDS website.

The fee for a new license is $32 for four years or $64 for eight years. If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it the same day or return another day at no additional cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia license if I live out of state now?

No. Georgia requires you to have a current Georgia address to renew. If you have moved out of state, you must surrender your Georgia license and get a license from your new state. If you still own property in Georgia or plan to move back, contact a DDS office to discuss your options.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

Bring the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — along with your expired license and the other required documents. You can renew in person, by mail, or online, but you must include the name-change document with any mail or online submission.

How long does a renewed Georgia license last?

A standard renewal is valid for four years from the issue date. You can pay extra to get an eight-year license instead, which costs $64 instead of $32. Eight-year licenses are useful if you travel frequently or want to avoid renewing as often.

What if I lost my expired license and do not have it?

You can still renew in person at a DDS office without your expired license. Bring your proof of Social Security number, proof of Georgia residency, and proof of identity. The DDS will look up your record in the system. If you renew by mail or online, you must include your expired license with the packet.

Can I renew early before my license expires?

Yes. You can renew up to six months before your license expires. This is useful if you are traveling or want to avoid a rush closer to your expiration date. The new license will be valid for four or eight years from the issue date, not from your old expiration date.