Check your license status directly through the Georgia Department of Driver Services
The fastest way to learn about your Georgia license is suspended is to check the status yourself through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website. You do not need to call or visit an office — you can look up your status in minutes from home using your driver's license number and date of birth.
Go to dds.georgia.gov and select "License Status Check" from the main menu. Enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
If the online tool does not work or you cannot find your license number, you can call the DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400. Have your license number ready, and they will tell you your status over the phone. Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning on weekdays.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS website shows your license status when ready using your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number.
- A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you resolve the underlying issue — usually paying a fine, completing a course, or clearing a traffic hold.
- You cannot legally drive on a suspended license in Georgia, and driving with a suspended license carries separate criminal penalties.
- If your license is suspended, the DDS website or customer service line will tell you the reason and what you need to do to restore it.
Understand the difference between suspension, revocation, and cancellation
Georgia uses three different statuses, and they mean different things. A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, but you can get it back once you meet certain conditions. Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, or accumulating too many points on your driving record.
A revocation is more serious and usually permanent or long-term. Revocations happen for reasons like DUI convictions, habitual traffic offender status, or multiple suspensions. You may be able to petition for reinstatement after a waiting period, but you cannot straightforward wait it out.
Cancellation means your license expired or you failed to renew it. This is the easiest to fix — you just renew your license through the normal process. The status check will tell you which category applies to you.
Find out why your license is suspended and what to do next
When you check your status online or by phone, the DDS system will show you the reason for the suspension. Common reasons include failure to pay a traffic fine, failure to appear in court, suspension for medical reasons, or accumulation of too many points. The reason matters because it determines what you have to do to get your license back.
If the suspension is for an unpaid fine, you will need to pay it through the court that issued the ticket. If it is for failure to appear, you will need to contact the court and resolve the case. If it is for points accumulation, you may need to complete a defensive driving course or wait out the suspension period. The DDS website or customer service representative can point you toward the right agency to contact.
Do not ignore a suspension. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Georgia, even if the original reason for the suspension was minor. You can face fines, jail time, and additional license penalties.
Restore your license once you have resolved the underlying issue
After you have paid a fine, appeared in court, or completed a required course, you still need to formally restore your license. You cannot just start driving again. Go back to the DDS website or call customer service to confirm that your suspension has been lifted — sometimes there is a delay between when you resolve the issue and when the system updates.
If the system still shows a suspension after you have completed the required steps, contact the agency that imposed the suspension. For traffic fines, that is the court. For child support holds, that is the Georgia Department of Human Services. For medical suspensions, that is the DDS medical review unit. Ask them to confirm that they have cleared the hold and to provide a reference number.
Once the suspension is cleared, you can drive legally again. You do not need to renew your license or pay a reinstatement fee unless your license has also expired. Check the expiration date on your license to make sure it is still valid.
What to do if you need to drive before your license is restored
Georgia does not issue temporary driving permits for people with suspended licenses. You cannot legally drive during a suspension, even for work or medical emergencies. If you need to drive before your suspension is lifted, your only option is to resolve the underlying issue as quickly as possible.
If the suspension is for an unpaid fine, contact the court when ready and ask about payment plans or hardship options. If it is for failure to appear, contact the court and ask to reschedule. If it is for a medical reason, contact the DDS medical review unit and ask about the process for reinstatement. Explain your situation — courts and agencies sometimes move faster when you show you are taking it seriously.
If you are facing a long suspension and cannot resolve it quickly, consider using rideshare services, public transportation, or asking someone else to drive. Driving on a suspended license will make your situation much worse.
Check your driving record for points and violations
Your license status is separate from your driving record. Even if your license is not currently suspended, you may have points on your record that could lead to a suspension later. You can view your Georgia driving record through the same DDS website — select "Driving Record" instead of "License Status Check."
Georgia uses a points system where traffic violations add points to your record. If you accumulate 15 points in 24 months, your license will be suspended for at least three months. If you accumulate 24 points in 36 months, you will be declared a habitual traffic offender and your license will be revoked for at least five years. Checking your record periodically helps you understand how close you are to a suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension usually last in Georgia?
Suspension length varies by reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear are lifted once you resolve the issue. Suspensions for points accumulation typically last three to six months. Medical suspensions can last weeks to months depending on the condition. The DDS website will show the specific end date for your suspension if it is time-based.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Georgia does not issue hardship or work licenses for suspensions. Your only option is to resolve the underlying issue. If the suspension is for unpaid fines, contact the court about payment plans. If it is for points, you may be able to complete a defensive driving course to reduce points and shorten the suspension period.
Will a suspension show up on a background check?
A license suspension is a public record and may appear on background checks depending on the reason. Suspensions for traffic violations are less serious than revocations or DUI-related suspensions. Employers and landlords may see it, but a single suspension is usually not disqualifying. Check your driving record to see exactly what will appear.
What if I moved out of Georgia — is my suspension still valid?
Yes. Georgia suspensions follow you if you move to another state. If you want to get a license in a new state, you will likely have to resolve the Georgia suspension first. Contact the DDS to find out what steps are needed before you explore for a license elsewhere.
How do I know if my license was suspended without checking online?
You will usually find out when you are pulled over and the officer runs your license. You may also receive a notice in the mail from the court or agency that imposed the suspension, though not all suspensions come with advance notice. The safest approach is to check your status periodically, especially if you have received traffic tickets or have outstanding fines.