Where to check your Georgia license status
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) lets you look up your driver's license information online through their official website. You can see whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked without calling or visiting an office in person.
Go to dds.georgia.gov and find the "License Lookup" tool. You will need your driver's license number and your date of birth to search. The tool shows your current status when ready, though it may take a few hours to reflect very recent changes made at a DDS office.
If you do not have your license number handy, you can look it up on a physical license card, your insurance documents, or a ticket or citation you received. If you have lost that information entirely, you will need to call DDS at 678-413-8400 to get your number before you can use the online lookup.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS website at dds.georgia.gov has a free License Lookup tool that shows your license status in seconds.
- You need your driver's license number and date of birth to use the lookup tool.
- The online tool shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
- If the online tool does not show a recent change, wait a few hours and try again, because updates can lag by a few hours.
- You can call DDS at 678-413-8400 if you do not know your license number or if the website is not working.
What the lookup tool will tell you
The License Lookup tool returns your license status and expiration date. A valid license means you can legally drive. An expired license means your renewal has passed and you cannot drive until you renew.
A suspended license means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away, usually because of unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or too many points on your record. A revoked license means your driving privileges have been permanently removed, typically after a serious violation like a DUI conviction or multiple suspensions.
The tool also shows your license class (like Class D for regular passenger vehicles) and any restrictions on your license, such as corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only.
Why your license might show as suspended or revoked
Georgia suspends licenses for several reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic tickets or court fines, unpaid child support, failure to appear in court, medical conditions reported to DDS, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. A suspension is usually temporary — once you address the reason (pay the fine, appear in court, or resolve the child support issue), you can request reinstatement.
Revocation is more serious and usually follows a DUI conviction, multiple suspensions, or driving with a suspended license. Revocation lasts longer than suspension and often requires you to complete specific steps — such as an alcohol education program or paying a reinstatement fee — before you can drive again.
If the lookup shows a suspension or revocation but you believe it is wrong, contact DDS directly at 678-413-8400 or visit a local DDS office with your ID and license to get details about why the status was changed.
What to do if your license is expired
If the lookup shows your license is expired, you cannot legally drive until you renew. Georgia licenses expire every eight years for most drivers, or every four years if you are over 64 years old.
You can renew online at dds.georgia.gov if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must not have any medical restrictions, and you must not have changed your name or address since your last renewal. If any of those explore to you, you will need to renew in person at a DDS office.
If you renew online, the new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your expired license for 30 days after you submit an online renewal, so you have a short window to complete the process before you cannot legally drive.
When the online tool does not work or shows an error
If the License Lookup tool is down or returns an error, try again in a few minutes — the website occasionally goes offline for maintenance. If it continues to fail, the problem may be with how you entered your information. Double-check that you typed your license number and date of birth exactly as they appear on your license or documents.
If you are certain your information is correct and the tool still will not work, call DDS at 678-413-8400 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). A representative can look up your status over the phone and explain any suspension or revocation.
You can also visit a DDS office in person with your ID and license. Bring a photo ID and your driver's license if you have it. Wait times vary by location, so calling ahead to ask about current wait times can save you a trip.
How recent changes appear in the lookup tool
Changes made at a DDS office or by a court usually show up in the online lookup within a few hours, but can take up to 24 hours in some cases. If you just renewed your license, paid a fine, or appeared in court, the lookup tool may not reflect that change when ready.
If you made a change today and the lookup still shows your old status, wait until the next business day and try again. If the status has not changed after 24 hours, call DDS to confirm the change was processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The License Lookup tool is for checking your own license only. You cannot look up another person's status without their permission. If you need information about someone else's license for a legal reason, you will need to contact DDS directly with documentation of your authority to request that information.
What if I lost my license and need to know if it is still valid?
You can still use the License Lookup tool if you know your license number — it is printed on your physical license, but you may also find it on insurance documents, old tickets, or registration paperwork. If you cannot find your number, call DDS at 678-413-8400 and they can tell you your status and help you replace your lost license.
Does checking my license status online affect anything?
No. Looking up your license status does not change anything about your license or your driving record. It is a read-only tool that straightforward shows you information that already exists in the DDS system.
How do I fix a suspension shown in the lookup tool?
First, find out why your license is suspended by calling DDS at 678-413-8400 or visiting a DDS office. Common reasons are unpaid fines, unpaid child support, or too many points. Once you address the reason — pay the fine, resolve the child support, or complete a required course — you can request reinstatement. Some reinstatements happen automatically once the issue is resolved; others require you to submit a formal request to DDS.
Can I drive if my license shows as expired but I have already submitted a renewal?
Yes, but only for 30 days after you submit an online renewal. If you renewed in person at a DDS office, you can drive on your expired license until your new license arrives. If your 30-day window is about to close and your new license has not arrived, contact DDS to confirm your renewal was processed.