What you pay to reinstate a suspended or revoked Georgia license
Georgia's Department of Driver Services charges a reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges after a suspension or revocation. The fee is $210 for most suspensions. If your license was revoked for a serious violation — such as a DUI conviction, multiple traffic offenses, or driving with a suspended license — the fee may be higher or you may face additional requirements beyond payment alone.
The reinstatement fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or other penalties you may owe related to the reason your license was suspended. You cannot reinstate your license by paying the fee alone if other conditions must be met first, such as completing a defensive driving course, paying child support arrears, or resolving a medical suspension.
Georgia does not accept reinstatement payments online through the state website. You must pay in person at a DDS office, by mail, or through an authorized third-party vendor. The method you choose affects how long reinstatement takes.
Key Takeaways
- The standard reinstatement fee in Georgia is $210, though revocations and serious violations may cost more or require additional steps before you can pay.
- You must first confirm the reason your license was suspended or revoked, because some suspensions cannot be cleared by payment alone.
- Georgia accepts reinstatement payments in person at any DDS office, by mail to the address on your suspension notice, or through an authorized vendor like a tag office.
- Paying by mail typically takes two to four weeks for processing; paying in person at a DDS office is faster but requires a trip during business hours.
Finding out why your license was suspended or revoked
Before you pay the reinstatement fee, you need to know the specific reason your license was suspended. Georgia suspends licenses for different reasons — unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical conditions, child support arrears, or violations of the points system — and some suspensions have conditions you must satisfy before payment will restore your license.
You can check your suspension status and the reason for it on the Georgia DDS website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. The website will show you whether your suspension is financial (meaning payment will clear it), medical (meaning you need a doctor's clearance), or conditional (meaning you must complete a course or meet another requirement first).
If you cannot access the website or need to speak with someone directly, you can call the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. The representative will tell you the suspension reason and whether you can reinstate by paying the fee or whether other steps are required.
Paying in person at a Georgia DDS office
The fastest way to reinstate your license is to visit a Department of Driver Services office in person with the $210 reinstatement fee. Bring your driver's license (if you still have it), a valid form of identification, and payment in the form of cash, check, or debit/credit card. Most DDS offices accept all three payment methods.
You can find the DDS office nearest you on the Georgia DDS website. Office hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours and some offer limited Saturday hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether you need an appointment, as some offices now require one.
When you arrive, tell the staff member that you are there to reinstate your license. They will verify your suspension reason, confirm that payment alone will clear it, collect your fee, and process your reinstatement on the spot. You will receive a temporary driving permit valid for 45 days while your new license is mailed to you, which typically arrives within one to two weeks.
Paying by mail
If you cannot visit a DDS office, you can mail your reinstatement fee to the address listed on your suspension notice. Write a check or money order for $210 payable to "Georgia DDS." Include a cover letter with your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a brief note stating that you are paying to reinstate your license.
Mail your payment to the address on your suspension notice. Do not send cash through the mail. Processing by mail typically takes two to four weeks from the date Georgia DDS receives your payment. During this time, your license remains suspended, so you cannot legally drive.
Keep a copy of your cover letter and the receipt or tracking number from your mailing. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact Georgia DDS with this information to confirm your payment was received.
Paying through an authorized tag office or vendor
Some Georgia tag offices and authorized DDS vendors accept reinstatement payments on behalf of the state. This option is faster than mailing but may not be available in all counties. Call your local tag office or search the Georgia DDS website for authorized vendors in your area.
If your tag office accepts reinstatement payments, you can pay the $210 fee there during their business hours. The tag office will submit your payment to Georgia DDS electronically. Processing time is typically one to two weeks, faster than mailing but slower than paying in person at a DDS office.
What happens after you pay the reinstatement fee
Once Georgia DDS receives and processes your $210 payment, your license suspension is lifted. If you paid in person at a DDS office, you receive a temporary driving permit when ready and can drive legally while your new license is printed and mailed. If you paid by mail or through a tag office, you will receive your temporary permit and new license by mail, which takes one to four weeks depending on the method.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file with Georgia DDS. If you have moved since your license was issued, update your address with DDS before paying the reinstatement fee so your new license goes to the correct location. You can update your address online through the Georgia DDS website or in person at any DDS office.
Once your new license arrives, the temporary permit is no longer valid. Keep your new license with you whenever you drive. If you lose it or it is damaged, you can request a replacement through the Georgia DDS website or at any DDS office.
When payment alone is not enough
Some suspensions cannot be cleared by paying the $210 reinstatement fee alone. If your license was suspended for a medical reason — such as a seizure disorder or vision problem — you must obtain medical clearance from a doctor before you can reinstate. If your suspension is related to child support arrears, you must resolve the arrears with the Georgia Department of Human Services before reinstatement is possible.
If your license was revoked (rather than suspended) for a serious violation such as a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program, install an ignition interlock device, or meet other conditions set by the court. The reinstatement fee alone will not restore your license in these cases.
Before you pay, confirm with Georgia DDS that your suspension can be cleared by payment. If additional requirements explore, ask what they are and how long they typically take to complete. This prevents you from paying the fee only to discover that you still cannot drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the reinstatement fee online?
No. Georgia DDS does not accept reinstatement payments through its website. You must pay in person at a DDS office, by mail, or through an authorized tag office or vendor. In-person payment is the fastest option.
What if I cannot afford the $210 fee right now?
Georgia DDS does not offer payment plans for reinstatement fees. You must pay the full amount to restore your license. If cost is a barrier, contact your local legal aid office or a community information program to ask whether they can help you pay.
How long does it take to get my license back after I pay?
If you pay in person at a DDS office, you receive a temporary permit when ready and can drive that day. Your new license arrives by mail in one to two weeks. If you pay by mail or through a tag office, the entire process takes one to four weeks.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if my suspension was a mistake?
If you believe your suspension was issued in error, contact Georgia DDS to request a review before paying. DDS can investigate and lift the suspension without a fee if they find it was incorrect. If you pay first and later prove the suspension was a mistake, you may be able to request a refund.
What if I move out of Georgia after my license is suspended?
You can still pay the Georgia reinstatement fee by mail or through an authorized vendor. Your new Georgia license will be mailed to any address you provide. If you have moved to another state and want a license there instead, contact that state's DMV about their process for transferring or obtaining a new license.