What you need to pay to get your Georgia license back
To reinstate your Georgia driver's license after suspension, you pay a reinstatement fee to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The fee is $210, and you must pay it before your license becomes active again. This fee is separate from any other fines, court costs, or restitution you may owe — those go to the court or the agency that suspended your license, not to DDS.
The reinstatement fee covers the administrative cost of processing your case and restoring your driving privileges. You cannot reinstate your license online or by mail; you must go in person to a DDS office and pay at that time. Some offices accept cash, card, and check, but policies vary by location, so call ahead to confirm what payment methods your local office takes.
Before you pay the reinstatement fee, you need to know why your license was suspended. The reason matters because it determines what else you must do first — and paying the fee alone will not reinstate you if you have not met those other requirements.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS reinstatement fee is $210 and must be paid in person at a DDS office.
- You cannot reinstate your license until you have resolved the reason for the suspension — paying the fee alone is not enough.
- Common suspension reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, and DUI-related holds.
- You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number, a valid ID, and proof that you have met all reinstatement requirements before you go to the DDS office.
- After you pay and your license is reinstated, you will receive a new license card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Common reasons your Georgia license was suspended
Georgia suspends licenses for several reasons, and each one has different steps you must complete before you can pay the reinstatement fee. The most common reason is unpaid traffic fines or court costs. If you were convicted of a traffic violation and did not pay the fine by the court's important date, DDS receives notice and suspends your license automatically.
Another frequent reason is failure to appear in court. If you were cited for a traffic violation and missed your court date, the judge issues a failure-to-appear warrant, and your license is suspended until you resolve it — usually by going to court and either appearing or paying the fine.
Child support arrears also trigger suspension. If you are behind on court-ordered child support payments, the Georgia Department of Human Services reports you to DDS, and your license is suspended. You must bring your child support account current or reach a payment agreement with the child support enforcement office before DDS will reinstate you.
DUI-related suspensions work differently. If your license was suspended because of a DUI arrest or conviction, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle before reinstatement. You will also need an SR-22 insurance form from your insurance company, which proves you carry the minimum required coverage.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Call the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 or visit a DDS office in person with your driver's license or Social Security number. The staff can tell you the suspension reason and what you must do to clear it. You can also check online through the Georgia DDS website by entering your driver's license number, though the online system does not always show all details.
Write down the suspension reason, the date it took effect, and any case or citation numbers the DDS gives you. This information helps you know exactly what to do next and prevents you from wasting a trip to the DDS office before you are ready.
Steps to take before paying the reinstatement fee
Once you know the suspension reason, take the action required to clear it. If it is unpaid fines, contact the court listed on your citation and pay the amount owed. If it is failure to appear, call the court and ask what you need to do — sometimes you can pay by phone, and sometimes you must appear in person.
If child support is the reason, contact the Georgia Division of Family Support Services or the local child support enforcement office. They can tell you the exact amount owed and whether you can set up a payment plan instead of paying in full.
If it is a DUI-related suspension, contact your insurance company to request an SR-22 form and have it sent to DDS. If an ignition interlock device is required, contact a certified installer in Georgia — DDS maintains a list on its website — and have the device installed before you go to the office.
Keep receipts or confirmation documents showing that you have paid fines, appeared in court, or completed required steps. Bring these to the DDS office when you pay the reinstatement fee.
What to bring to the DDS office
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (your current driver's license, passport, or state ID card). You will also need your driver's license number or Social Security number so the DDS staff can pull up your record.
Bring proof that you have resolved the suspension reason. This might be a receipt showing you paid court fines, a letter from the court confirming you appeared, a child support payment receipt, or an SR-22 form from your insurance company. The DDS office will not process your reinstatement without this proof.
Bring the $210 reinstatement fee in the form your local office accepts. Call ahead to confirm whether they take cash, card, check, or all three.
What happens after you pay
Once you pay the $210 reinstatement fee and the DDS staff confirm that you have met all requirements, your license is reinstated when ready. You will be able to drive right away, though you will not have a physical license card yet.
The DDS will mail your new license card to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the card arrives, ask the DDS office for a temporary license document you can carry until the card comes.
If your license was suspended for a DUI-related reason, you may have restrictions on your new license — such as a requirement to use an ignition interlock device or to carry an SR-22 form. These restrictions appear on your license card and must be followed.
If you cannot pay the full fee right away
The Georgia DDS does not offer payment plans for the $210 reinstatement fee itself. You must pay the full amount to reinstate your license. However, if your suspension is due to unpaid court fines or child support, you may be able to set up a payment plan with the court or the child support office — and once you have an agreement in place, you can proceed with paying the DDS reinstatement fee.
Contact the court or the child support enforcement office directly to ask about payment plan options. Some courts allow you to pay fines in installments, which may make it possible to clear the suspension without paying everything at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my license online or by mail?
No. You must go in person to a Georgia DDS office to pay the reinstatement fee and have your license reinstated. You cannot complete this process remotely.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 with your driver's license number or Social Security number. The staff will tell you the suspension reason and what you need to do before you can reinstate. You can also visit a DDS office in person.
Do I have to pay court fines before I pay the DDS reinstatement fee?
Yes. The DDS will not reinstate your license until you have resolved the reason for the suspension. If fines are owed, you must pay them first. Bring proof of payment to the DDS office.
How long does it take to get my new license card after I pay?
Your license is active when ready after you pay the $210 fee. The physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Ask the DDS office for a temporary document if you need to drive before the card arrives.
What if my license was suspended for a DUI?
DUI suspensions often require an SR-22 insurance form and possibly an ignition interlock device before reinstatement. Contact your insurance company for the SR-22 and a certified installer for the device. Bring both to the DDS office along with the $210 fee.