Finding out whether your Georgia license is suspended
You can check your Georgia driver's license status directly through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website without paying a fee. Go to dds.ga.gov, find the "License Status" or "Check License Status" tool, and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Have your license number ready when you call. A representative can look up your status and explain why it was suspended if that information is available over the phone.
You can also visit a DDS office in person. Bring your license or a form of ID, and staff can print out your driving record, which will show your current status and the reason for any suspension. Find your nearest office at dds.ga.gov under "Locations."
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS website at dds.ga.gov has a free tool to check your license status when ready using your license number and birth date.
- You can call DDS Customer Service at 678-413-8400 during weekday business hours to have a representative look up your status over the phone.
- A suspension means you cannot legally drive; a revocation is permanent until you meet specific requirements to restore your license.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, and medical suspension.
- Once you know why your license was suspended, you can take the specific steps needed to have it reinstated.
Why your license might be suspended in Georgia
Georgia suspends licenses for many different reasons, and the cause matters because it determines what you have to do to get your license back. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, unpaid child support, and medical suspension (when a doctor reports a condition that makes driving unsafe).
Other reasons include accumulating too many points on your driving record within a certain time period, driving without insurance, being convicted of certain drug offenses, or being reported by the Department of Human Services for owing back child support. Some suspensions are automatic; others happen only after you receive notice and fail to respond.
The DDS website or a phone call to customer service will show you the specific reason for your suspension. This is the first piece of information you need, because different reasons require different solutions.
What "suspended" means versus "revoked"
A suspension is temporary. Once you fix the underlying problem — pay the fine, appear in court, resolve the child support issue — you can request reinstatement and get your license back. The suspension stays on your record, but it is not permanent.
A revocation is more serious and lasts longer. Revoked licenses cannot be reinstated when ready; you must wait out a mandatory period (which varies by reason) and then meet specific requirements before you can even request reinstatement. Revocation usually results from serious violations like multiple DUI convictions or habitual traffic offender status.
When you check your status online or by phone, the system will tell you which one applies to you. If it says "suspended," you have a path forward once you address the cause. If it says "revoked," you will need to understand the waiting period and requirements that explore to your situation.
Steps to reinstate a suspended license
The exact steps depend on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, you need to pay what you owe to the court or the entity that issued the ticket. Contact the court or the police department that issued the citation to find out the exact amount and where to send payment.
If the suspension is due to failure to appear in court, you must go to the court and resolve the case — usually by appearing before a judge or paying the fine. If it is a child support suspension, contact the Department of Human Services or the agency handling your case to bring your account current or set up a payment plan.
For medical suspensions, you will need to provide documentation from a doctor stating that the condition has been treated or resolved. For suspensions related to driving record points, you may need to wait out a certain period or take a defensive driving course, depending on the circumstances.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, return to the DDS website or call customer service to request reinstatement. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension. The DDS website lists current fees.
How to request reinstatement online or by mail
If your suspension has been cleared (meaning you have resolved the reason it was suspended), you can request reinstatement through the DDS website. Log into your account, find the reinstatement request option, and follow the prompts. You will need to pay any required reinstatement fee using a credit or debit card.
You can also request reinstatement by mail. read the appropriate form from dds.ga.gov — the form depends on your reason for suspension — and mail it to the address listed on the form along with payment for the reinstatement fee. Processing by mail takes longer than online requests, usually two to four weeks.
If you are unsure which form to use or whether your suspension has been cleared, call DDS Customer Service before submitting your request. Submitting a reinstatement request before the underlying issue is resolved will be denied, and you will lose the fee.
What to do if you need to drive before reinstatement
Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Georgia and can result in criminal charges, fines, and jail time. Do not drive during a suspension, even for emergencies or short trips.
If you need transportation for work, medical appointments, or other essential activities while your license is suspended, consider using rideshare services, public transportation, carpooling with someone who has a valid license, or asking a friend or family member to drive. Some people arrange temporary work schedules or take time off until their license is reinstated.
If your suspension is due to unpaid fines and money is the barrier, contact the court about payment plans or hardship options. Some courts will work with you to set up smaller monthly payments rather than requiring the full amount at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension usually last?
The length depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines end once you pay; suspensions for failure to appear end once you resolve the court case. Other suspensions may last a set period — for example, a medical suspension might last until you provide a doctor's clearance. Check your status online or call DDS to find out the timeline for your specific suspension.
Will I have to retake the driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the written or road test. You straightforward resolve the underlying issue, request reinstatement, pay any fee, and your license is restored. However, if your license has expired during the suspension, you may need to renew it at the same time.
Can I get a hardship license while mine is suspended?
Georgia does offer a limited driving permit in some cases, but availability depends on the reason for suspension. Medical suspensions and suspensions for unpaid child support typically do not may have access to. Call DDS Customer Service at 678-413-8400 to ask whether a hardship permit is an option for your situation.
What if I moved out of Georgia — do I still need to resolve the suspension?
Yes. A Georgia suspension follows your driving record and can affect your ability to get a license in another state. Many states share suspension information through the National Driver Register. Resolving the suspension in Georgia is the cleanest way forward, even if you no longer live there.
Does a suspension show up on a background check?
A driver's license suspension is a public record and may show up on some background checks, particularly those run by employers or insurance companies. Once your license is reinstated, the suspension remains part of your driving history but is no longer active.