Georgia reinstates suspended and revoked licenses through the Department of Driver Services, but the process and cost depend on why your license was suspended in the first place
A suspended Georgia driver's license is temporary — you can get it back once you meet the conditions that caused the suspension. A revoked license is permanent unless Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) decides to restore it, which typically requires waiting a set number of years and then submitting a formal request. The reinstatement process is not automatic; you must take specific steps, and the fee varies based on the reason for suspension or revocation.
The most common reasons for suspension in Georgia are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, and driving with a suspended license. Each has different reinstatement requirements. Revocations are less common and usually result from serious violations like DUI convictions, habitual traffic offender status, or medical disqualification.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia suspensions are temporary and end once you meet the condition — pay a fine, appear in court, or resolve child support — but you must notify DDS that the condition is met.
- Revocations are permanent unless you wait the required years and submit a formal restoration request to the Department of Driver Services.
- The reinstatement fee in Georgia is typically $210, but some suspensions have no fee if you straightforward resolve the underlying issue.
- You can check your license status and suspension reason on the Georgia DDS website or by calling their customer service line.
- Reinstating your license does not happen automatically after you pay a fine or resolve a court case — you must submit proof to DDS or pay the reinstatement fee.
How to find out why your Georgia license is suspended or revoked
Before you can reinstate your license, you need to know the exact reason for the suspension or revocation. Georgia DDS maintains a public lookup tool on its website where you can enter your driver's license number and date of birth to see your current status and the reason for any suspension.
If you cannot access the online tool or need to speak with someone, you can call the Georgia DDS Customer Service line at 678-413-8400. Have your driver's license number ready. The DDS staff can tell you whether your license is suspended or revoked, why, and what steps you need to take to reinstate it. Some suspensions are tied to specific agencies — for example, if your suspension is due to unpaid child support, the Georgia Department of Human Services must clear it before DDS can reinstate your license.
Reinstatement for traffic-related suspensions
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or did not appear in court, you must resolve that matter first. Pay the fine or appear in court as required, then contact the court or the agency that issued the ticket to confirm the matter is resolved. Once resolved, you can reinstate your license by paying the $210 reinstatement fee to Georgia DDS.
You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the Georgia DDS website, by mail, or in person at a DDS office. If you pay online, your license status typically updates within one business day. If you pay by mail, include a copy of your driver's license and a check or money order made out to the State of Georgia. Mail it to the address listed on the DDS website. In-person payment at a DDS office is the fastest option if you need your license reinstated when ready.
Reinstatement for child support-related suspensions
Georgia suspends driver's licenses for unpaid child support obligations. If this is the reason for your suspension, you cannot reinstate your license through DDS alone. The Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services, must first clear the suspension by confirming that your child support is current or that you have made an approved payment arrangement.
Contact the Division of Child Support Services at 1-800-227-7993 or through their website to resolve your child support obligation. Once they confirm the matter is resolved, they will notify DDS, and your suspension will be lifted. You do not need to pay a separate reinstatement fee for child support suspensions — the suspension ends automatically once the underlying obligation is met.
Reinstatement for revoked licenses
A revoked license cannot be reinstated when ready. Georgia revokes licenses for serious violations, and you must wait a minimum period before you can request restoration. The waiting period depends on the reason for revocation — for a first DUI, the minimum is typically one year; for a second DUI within ten years, it is three years; for a third or subsequent DUI, it is five years. Other violations like habitual traffic offender status may have different waiting periods.
After the waiting period has passed, you must submit a formal request for license restoration to Georgia DDS. This request includes a $210 reinstatement fee, a completed process form (available on the DDS website), and any documents required by DDS — such as proof of completion of a DUI education program if your revocation was DUI-related. DDS will review your request and decide whether to restore your license. Restoration is not may provide; DDS considers your driving record and compliance with any court-ordered requirements.
What to do if your license was suspended for driving with a suspended license
If you were caught driving with a suspended license, Georgia adds an additional suspension on top of the original one. You must resolve the original suspension first, then address the new suspension for driving with a suspended license. This can create a chain of suspensions if you continue to drive while suspended.
Contact DDS to find out the status of both suspensions. Once the original suspension is resolved, you can pay the reinstatement fee for the second suspension. If multiple suspensions are stacked, you may need to resolve them in order or pay multiple reinstatement fees. DDS customer service can clarify the exact sequence for your situation.
Reinstatement fees and payment methods in Georgia
The standard reinstatement fee for a suspended Georgia driver's license is $210. This fee applies to most suspensions, including traffic-related, medical, and administrative suspensions. Some suspensions, such as those related to child support or failure to pay court-ordered fines, may not require a separate reinstatement fee if the underlying issue is resolved — the suspension straightforward ends.
Georgia DDS accepts payment online through its website, by mail, by phone, or in person at any DDS office. Online payment is the fastest method and typically processes within one business day. If you pay by phone, call 678-413-8400 and have your driver's license number and a credit or debit card ready. Payment by mail takes seven to ten business days, so allow extra time if you choose this option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended Georgia driver's license?
If you pay the reinstatement fee online, your license status updates within one business day. In-person payment at a DDS office is when ready. Payment by mail takes seven to ten business days. If your suspension is tied to a court case or child support, the timeline depends on how quickly that agency processes and reports the resolution to DDS.
Can I drive while my license is suspended if I have a work permit?
Georgia does not issue work permits that allow you to drive while your license is suspended. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense. You must wait until your suspension is lifted or your license is reinstated before you can legally drive.
What if I cannot afford the $210 reinstatement fee?
Georgia DDS does not offer payment plans or fee waivers for reinstatement. However, if your suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, resolving that obligation may lift the suspension without an additional reinstatement fee. Contact DDS or the relevant agency to understand your specific situation.
Do I need to retake the written or driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require retesting. You only need to resolve the condition that caused the suspension and pay any required reinstatement fee. If your license has expired during the suspension, you will need to renew it, which may include a vision test but not a written or driving test.
What happens if I drive before my license is officially reinstated?
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Georgia. You can face fines, jail time, and an additional suspension added to your existing one. Even if you have paid the reinstatement fee, your license is not legally valid until DDS processes the payment and updates your status.