What You Need to Do to Renew in Georgia
Georgia lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Department of Driver Services office. The method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your license has expired. If your license is not yet expired or expired less than two years ago, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains a renewal code you will need if you choose to renew online. The entire process takes about 10 minutes online, 2 to 3 weeks by mail, or 30 minutes to an hour in person at a DDS office, depending on how busy the location is.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia sends a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before your license expires, and that notice includes the code you need to renew online.
- You can renew online or by mail if your license has not expired or expired within the last two years; licenses expired more than two years require an in-person visit.
- Online renewal costs $32 for an eight-year license and takes about 10 minutes; your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- In-person renewal at a Department of Driver Services office takes 30 minutes to an hour and costs $32, and you receive a temporary license on the spot.
- You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address to renew, regardless of which method you choose.
Renewing Online Through the Georgia DDS Website
The fastest way to renew is online at the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. Go to dds.georgia.gov, select "Renew Your License," and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the renewal code from your notice. You will also confirm your current address and answer a few questions about any medical conditions or restrictions.
Online renewal costs $32 for a standard eight-year license. You pay by debit card or credit card at the end of the process. Once you submit, you receive a confirmation number. Your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file, arriving in 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is only open to people whose license has not expired or expired within the last two years. If you do not have your renewal notice, you can still renew online if you have your driver's license number and can verify your identity through the system.
Renewing by Mail
If you prefer not to go online, you can renew by mail using the form that comes with your renewal notice. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it to the address printed on the notice along with a check or money order for $32. Do not send cash.
Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DDS receives your form. There is no way to track your process once you mail it, so allow extra time if your license is close to expiring. Your new license arrives by mail at the address you provided on the form.
Like online renewal, mail renewal is only available if your license has not expired or expired within the last two years. If your license expired more than two years ago, the DDS will not process a mail renewal and will return your form.
Renewing in Person at a DDS Office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than two years ago. You can also choose to renew in person even if you are not required to. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (a 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).
Visit the DDS office locator at dds.georgia.gov to find the office nearest you and check its hours. Many offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some have different hours or Saturday appointments. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some offices use an online reservation system to manage wait times. Check your local office's page to see if reservations are available.
The renewal process at an office takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the location is. You will have your photo taken, answer questions about medical conditions, and pay $32 in cash, debit, or credit card. You receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
What Happens If Your License Has Expired More Than Two Years Ago
If your Georgia driver's license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Department of Driver Services office in person. Bring the same documents you would for a standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, and the cost remains $32. You will have your photo taken and receive a temporary license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Documents and Information You Need
For any renewal method, have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. If you are renewing online, you will need your driver's license number and the renewal code from your notice. If you are renewing by mail, you need the form that came with your notice and a check or money order for $32.
For in-person renewal, bring your current or expired driver's license, a document showing your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of your current address dated within the last 60 days (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or insurance bill). If your address has changed since your last license was issued, bring a document showing both your old and new address, or bring two documents showing your new address.
If you have changed your name since your license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). This applies whether you are renewing in person, by mail, or online.
What to Do If You Did Not Receive Your Renewal Notice
If your renewal notice did not arrive in the mail, you can still renew online by going to dds.georgia.gov and selecting "Renew Your License." You will enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system will verify your identity. You do not need the renewal code if you can verify your identity this way.
If you cannot renew online for any reason, visit a DDS office in person. Bring your driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The office staff can process your renewal on the spot.
If your license has already expired and you did not receive a notice, you can still renew as long as it expired less than two years ago. After two years, you must renew in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes. If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew online or by mail. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a DDS office. You can drive on an expired license while your renewal is being processed as long as you have proof that you submitted your renewal.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days for your new license to arrive by mail. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 30 days, while your permanent license is mailed to you in the same timeframe.
What if my address has changed since my last license?
You can update your address during any renewal method. Online and mail renewals ask you to confirm your current address. For in-person renewal, bring a document showing your new address, or two documents if one shows your old address and one shows your new address.
Can I renew my license early?
Georgia allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. If you renew early, your new expiration date is eight years from the date you renew, not eight years from your old expiration date. You can renew early online, by mail, or in person.
What if I need my license before the new one arrives?
If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. If you renew online or by mail and need to drive before your new license arrives, you can use your current license as long as it has not expired. If it has expired, bring your renewal confirmation number as proof that you have submitted your renewal.