What you pay to reinstate a suspended Georgia license
Georgia charges a reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges after a suspension. The fee amount depends on why your license was suspended. For most suspensions — unpaid traffic tickets, failure to appear in court, or insurance-related issues — the fee is $210. If your suspension was for a DUI conviction, the reinstatement fee is $500. Some suspensions carry additional fees beyond the reinstatement cost, such as license renewal fees if your license has also expired.
You cannot drive legally until you have paid this fee and completed any other requirements tied to your suspension. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) will not process your reinstatement until payment is received.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia's reinstatement fee is $210 for most suspensions and $500 for DUI-related suspensions.
- You must resolve the underlying reason for the suspension — such as paying a ticket, appearing in court, or obtaining proof of insurance — before you can pay the reinstatement fee.
- Payment can be made online through the DDS website, by mail, or in person at a DDS office.
- After you pay, reinstatement is usually processed within one to three business days if you applied online or in person.
Why your license was suspended in the first place
Georgia suspends licenses for specific reasons, and you need to fix the underlying problem before reinstatement is possible. The most common reasons include unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, driving without proof of insurance, accumulating too many points on your driving record, or a DUI conviction.
If you are unsure why your license was suspended, you can check your status on the DDS website or call the DDS Customer Service Center at 678-413-8400. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. They will tell you the specific reason and what steps you need to take before paying the reinstatement fee.
Resolving the reason for suspension before you pay
Each type of suspension requires a different action before reinstatement becomes possible. If your suspension was due to an unpaid ticket or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court or the municipality that issued the ticket. If you failed to appear in court, you may need to appear before a judge or resolve the underlying case first. If your suspension was for driving without insurance, you must obtain a current insurance policy and provide proof to DDS.
For point-based suspensions — when you accumulated too many violations — you may need to wait out a portion of the suspension period or take a defensive driving course, depending on Georgia law at the time of your suspension. For DUI suspensions, you typically must complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program before reinstatement is allowed, in addition to paying the higher $500 fee.
Contact the agency or court that suspended your license to confirm what you need to do. They can tell you whether your specific issue has been resolved and whether you are now may be able to access to pay the reinstatement fee.
How to pay the reinstatement fee
Georgia offers three ways to pay: online through the DDS website, by mail, or in person at a DDS office. The online method is fastest. Visit the Georgia DDS website, select the reinstatement payment option, enter your driver's license number or Social Security number, and pay by credit card or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number when ready.
If you pay by mail, send a check or money order payable to "Georgia DDS" along with a completed form to the address provided on the DDS website. Include your driver's license number on the check. Mail payments take longer to process — typically five to seven business days after DDS receives your payment.
To pay in person, visit any DDS office with your driver's license and payment method. You can find office locations and hours on the DDS website. In-person payments are usually processed the same day.
Timeline for reinstatement after payment
Once DDS receives your payment and confirms that all suspension requirements have been met, reinstatement is typically processed within one to three business days. If you paid online or in person, you may receive notice of reinstatement the same day or the next business day. If you paid by mail, allow an additional five to seven days for the payment to reach DDS before the one- to three-day processing window begins.
You do not need to wait for a new physical license to arrive in the mail to drive legally. Your reinstatement is active in the system as soon as DDS processes it, and law enforcement can verify your status. Your renewed license card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Georgia. A first offense can result in a fine of $250 to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. Your license suspension will be extended, and you may face additional court costs and fees. A second offense within five years carries steeper penalties, including a mandatory minimum fine and possible jail time.
If you are stopped by law enforcement, be honest about your suspension status. Explain that you are working to resolve it. Having documentation that you have paid the reinstatement fee or that your reinstatement is pending can help, though it does not prevent an officer from issuing a citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary driving permit while my license is suspended?
Georgia does not issue temporary permits for suspended licenses in most cases. However, if your suspension is for a specific reason — such as a medical condition or a court order — you may request a limited permit. Contact DDS or the court that suspended your license to ask whether a limited permit is available for your situation.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee right now?
Georgia does not offer payment plans for reinstatement fees. However, if your suspension is due to unpaid fines or court costs, the court that issued the fine may offer a payment plan. Contact the court directly to discuss your options. Until the underlying issue is resolved, you cannot pay the reinstatement fee.
Do I need to take a driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require a written or road test. You only need to resolve the reason for suspension, pay the reinstatement fee, and wait for DDS to process your request. Your existing license remains valid once reinstated.
Will my reinstatement show up on my driving record?
Yes. Your suspension and reinstatement will both appear on your driving record. This information is visible to insurance companies and law enforcement. It may affect your insurance rates.