How to Renew Your Georgia Driver's License

Renewing your Georgia driver's license online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Georgia driver's license through three routes: online at the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a DDS office. The online method is fastest and costs $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license. You'll need your current license number, a valid email address, and a payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

If you cannot renew online—because your license is expired by more than five years, you've changed your name, or you need a Real ID-compliant license—you must renew in person or by mail. In-person renewal at any DDS office takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. By-mail renewal is available only if your license expired within the last five years and you don't need a Real ID upgrade; you'll mail your current license, a completed form, and payment to the address on the DDS website.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal costs $32 for four years or $64 for eight years and takes 10 minutes, with your new license arriving in 7 to 10 business days.
You can renew online only if your license expired within the last five years, you haven't changed your name, and you don't need a Real ID.
In-person renewal at a DDS office requires your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return).
If your license expired more than five years ago or you need a Real ID, you must renew in person; by-mail renewal is not an option.
Georgia offers both four-year and eight-year licenses; the eight-year option costs twice as much but lasts longer.

Online renewal: the fastest path if your license is current

Start at the Georgia Department of Driver Services website and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You'll 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 record and ask you to review your information for accuracy. If everything matches, you'll confirm your address or update it if you've moved.

Next, you'll choose your license type: four-year ($32) or eight-year ($64). You'll pay by debit card or credit card. Once payment processes, you'll receive a confirmation number by email. Your new physical license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal is blocked if your license expired more than five years ago, if you've changed your name since your last license, if you need to add a Real ID star, or if your address on file is outside Georgia. In any of those cases, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal at a DDS office

Visit any Georgia Department of Driver Services office with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your current address. Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form.

Bring your documents to the office, check in at the counter, and wait for your number to be called. A DDS employee will review your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal. The entire visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how busy the office is. You'll pay $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license by cash, debit card, or credit card. You'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you, which takes 7 to 10 business days.

If you need a Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star), you must renew in person. You'll need the same documents as a standard renewal, plus proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and proof of your Social Security number. The cost is the same.

By-mail renewal for licenses expired less than five years

By-mail renewal is available only if your current license expired within the last five years and you do not need a Real ID upgrade. read the renewal form from the Georgia DDS website (form #R-285), fill it out completely, and sign it. Include your current license, a check or money order for $32 (four-year) or $64 (eight-year), and mail everything to the address printed on the form.

Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date DDS receives your packet. You can continue using your expired license during this time. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your current license. If you've moved, update your address on the form before mailing, or renew in person instead to may support your new license goes to the correct address.

Do not use by-mail renewal if your license expired more than five years ago, if you've changed your name, or if you need a Real ID. Those situations require in-person renewal.

What happens if your license is expired by more than five years

If your Georgia license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use online or by-mail renewal. You must renew in person at a DDS office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, and the cost remains $32 for four years or $64 for eight years.

If your expired license was lost or destroyed, bring a different form of identification (passport, state ID, or military ID) along with proof of residency and proof of Social Security number. The DDS office will process your renewal using that identification instead.

Real ID requirements and when you need it

A Real ID is a federal standard for state-issued identification. It's marked with a gold star in the upper right corner of your license. Starting May 7, 2025, you'll need a Real ID or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If your current Georgia license does not have the gold star, you'll need to renew it as a Real ID license.

Real ID renewal must be done in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), and proof of your Social Security number. The cost is the same as a standard renewal: $32 for four years or $64 for eight years. If you renew online or by mail, you'll receive a standard license without the Real ID star. You can upgrade to Real ID later by renewing in person.

Finding a DDS office and checking wait times

Georgia has DDS offices in most counties. Use the office locator on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website to find the one nearest you, see its hours, and check current wait times. Some offices are busier than others; rural offices often have shorter waits than urban ones. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online first. Check your local office's page to see which system it uses.

If you want to avoid a long wait, visit early in the morning on a weekday, or go to an office outside your county if one is nearby. You do not have to renew at the office in your county; any Georgia DDS office can process your renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it's already expired?

Yes. If it expired within the last five years, you can renew online, by mail, or in person. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DDS office. Bring your expired license and the required documents.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

If you renew online or in person, your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. In all cases, you receive a temporary license valid for 45 days while you wait for the permanent one.

What if I've moved since my last license?

If you renew online, you can update your address during the process. If you renew by mail, update your address on the form before mailing. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days). Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide.

Do I need a Real ID if I don't fly or go to federal buildings?

No. A standard Georgia driver's license is still valid for driving and most everyday identification. Real ID is required only for domestic flights and federal building entry. You can choose to renew as a standard license or upgrade to Real ID when you renew.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it?

You must renew in person. Bring a different form of valid identification (passport, state ID, or military ID), proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The DDS office will process your renewal using that identification.

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.