How to Renew Your Georgia Driver's License

Where to renew and what you need before you start

You can renew your Georgia driver's license in person at any Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office, or online through the Georgia DDS website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route works for almost everyone; the online route is faster but only available if your license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical conditions listed on your current license, and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal.

Before you go to a DDS office or start an online renewal, gather these documents: your current Georgia driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a document showing the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will also need to pay the renewal fee, which is $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license.

Key Takeaways

Georgia lets you renew online if your license expired less than five years ago and you have no medical restrictions, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $32 or $64 depending on the term you choose.
In-person renewal at any DDS office takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on wait times and requires your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address.
You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date to start the process.
If you renew online, your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days; if you renew in person, you can get a temporary paper license the same day and your permanent license by mail within two weeks.

Renewing online through the Georgia DDS website

Go to the Georgia DDS website and select "Renew Driver's License Online." You will need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm or update your address and emergency contact details.

Review the vision and medical questions on the form. If you answer "yes" to any medical question or if your vision has changed, you cannot complete the online renewal — you will need to go to a DDS office instead. If all answers are "no," proceed to payment. Georgia accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Renewing in person at a DDS office

Find your nearest DDS office using the office locator on the Georgia DDS website. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations now offer appointment scheduling, which can reduce your wait time. Walk-ins are still accepted everywhere. Bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of address, and your payment method.

When you arrive, take a number or check in at the counter. A DDS employee will review your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to confirm your address and answer vision and medical questions. The entire process usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You will pay the renewal fee and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within two weeks.

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

If your Georgia license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if getting a new license. This means you will need to pass the written knowledge test and the road skills test, not just renew your existing one. You will also need to provide additional documents, including proof of your legal name and date of birth (a birth certificate or passport), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Georgia residency.

Schedule a road test appointment through the Georgia DDS website or by calling your local DDS office. You will take the written test at the office on the day of your appointment, and if you pass, you will take the road test the same day or on a scheduled date. Plan for this process to take several weeks from start to finish.

Renewing if your address has changed

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you can still renew in person or online, but you must provide proof of your new address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. If you are renewing online and your address has changed, the system will flag this and direct you to a DDS office instead — you cannot complete an online renewal with an address change.

At the DDS office, bring your proof of new address along with your other documents. The employee will update your address in the system, and your new license will show the correct address when it arrives by mail.

Renewing if your name has changed

If you got married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your last license, bring a document proving the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a legal name change all work. You cannot renew online if your name has changed — you must go to a DDS office in person.

At the office, present your current license, your name-change document, your proof of Social Security number, and your proof of address. The DDS employee will update your name in the system and take a new photo. Your new license will show your current legal name.

What to do if you need your license before the mail arrives

If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days. This temporary license has the same legal weight as your permanent license for driving purposes — you can use it to drive when ready. If you need to drive before your permanent license arrives by mail, the temporary license covers you during that time.

If you renewed online and need to drive before your new license arrives, you have a problem: you cannot get a temporary license through online renewal. If your current license is still valid (not yet expired), you can continue using it. If it has already expired, you will need to go to a DDS office in person to get a temporary license while you wait for your permanent one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. Georgia lets you renew up to six months before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The new license will have a new expiration date six or eight years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

What if I lost my current license?

If you lost your license, you cannot renew it online. Go to a DDS office and bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of address. Tell the employee your license was lost. You will pay a replacement fee (usually around $20) in addition to the renewal fee, and you will receive a temporary license and a new permanent license by mail.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

After in-person renewal, your permanent license arrives within two weeks. After online renewal, it arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Times can vary depending on mail volume. If you do not receive your license within three weeks of renewal, contact your local DDS office.

Do I need an eye exam to renew my license?

No eye exam is required for renewal. You will answer questions about your vision during the renewal process, and if you answer honestly, you do not need a separate eye test. If you have vision problems or your vision has changed significantly, tell the DDS employee — they may require you to take a vision screening at the office.

What if I have a commercial driver's license (CDL)?

CDLs cannot be renewed online. You must go to a DDS office in person. Bring all the same documents as a regular renewal, plus your current CDL. The process is the same, but you may need to answer additional medical and safety questions depending on your CDL class and endorsements.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.