Get a replacement license at your local Georgia DDS office with your ID and a completed form

To replace a lost driver's license in Georgia, you need to visit a Driver Services office in person, bring a valid ID and proof of your Social Security number, and complete form DL 44. The office will take a new photo, process your request, and issue a replacement license on the spot or mail it to you within 5 to 7 business days, depending on the office and how busy it is. You do not need to retake the written or road test unless your license has expired for more than five years.

Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) handles all license replacements. There is no online option for a lost license — you must appear in person. The cost is $32 for a standard replacement license valid for eight years, or $20 if you are over 65.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring a valid photo ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), your Social Security card or a document showing your SSN, and proof of your current address to your DDS office.
  • Complete form DL 44 (process for a Driver's License or Learner's Permit) before you arrive or at the office, and bring it with you.
  • You can find your nearest DDS office and check wait times on the Georgia DDS website or by calling 678-413-8400.
  • A replacement license costs $32 and is valid for eight years; you will receive it when ready at some offices or by mail within 5 to 7 business days at others.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to pass the written test and road test again, not just replace it.

What documents you need to bring

Georgia requires three categories of documents: a valid photo ID, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Your photo ID can be a U.S. passport, military ID, state ID from another state, or a tribal ID. A driver's license from another state counts if it is still valid.

For proof of your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card itself, or a document that shows your SSN — a W-2, 1099, tax return, or bank statement will work. If you do not have your Social Security card and cannot find another document with your number, you can request a replacement from the Social Security Administration, but that adds time to your process.

For proof of your current address, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill does not count. If you have moved recently and do not have a document in your new name yet, bring mail addressed to you at your new address plus a signed statement from your landlord or a family member confirming you live there.

How to complete form DL 44

Form DL 44 is the official process for a Driver's License or Learner's Permit. You can read it from the Georgia DDS website before you go, or pick one up at the office. The form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. It also asks about your vision and whether you have been convicted of certain traffic or criminal offenses.

Answer all questions truthfully. If you check "yes" to a medical condition or conviction, the DDS may require additional paperwork — for example, a letter from your doctor if you have a seizure disorder, or court documents if you have a DUI conviction. Bringing these documents with you saves a trip back.

Sign and date the form. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign. You do not need to notarize it.

Finding your nearest DDS office and checking wait times

Georgia has DDS offices in most counties. The fastest way to find yours is to visit the Georgia DDS website and use the office locator tool, which shows addresses, hours, and current wait times. You can also call 678-413-8400 to ask which office is nearest and whether they have short wait times that day.

Wait times vary widely. Some offices in rural areas have no wait; offices in Atlanta, Savannah, and other cities can have waits of 30 minutes to two hours, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. If you can go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning, you will usually wait less. Some offices allow you to make an appointment online, which reserves your spot and cuts wait time significantly.

Check the office hours before you go. Many DDS offices close for lunch between noon and 1 p.m., and some have limited hours on Fridays or are closed on certain days.

What happens when you arrive at the office

When you check in, tell the staff member that you are replacing a lost license. They will take your documents, verify them, and ask you to sign form DL 44 if you have not already. You will then go to a photo station where a staff member will take your new license photo. Wear something you are comfortable in — you cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or anything that obscures your face, but you can wear glasses if you normally do.

After your photo is taken, you will pay the $32 fee (or $20 if you are 65 or older) by cash, debit card, or credit card. Some offices issue your new license on the spot; others mail it to you. Ask the staff member which applies at your office. If they mail it, you will receive it within 5 to 7 business days. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, ask about getting a temporary paper license — some offices issue them, but not all.

If your license expired more than five years ago

A replacement is different from a renewal. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you straightforward replace it with a new one and keep the same license number. If your license expired more than five years ago, Georgia treats it as expired, not lost, and you will need to pass the written test and the road test again to get a new license.

To prepare, study the Georgia Driver's Manual, which is free on the DDS website. The written test has 40 questions and you must answer at least 30 correctly. The road test lasts about 15 minutes and covers basic driving skills like parking, turning, and stopping. You can schedule both tests at the DDS office or online. There is a $20 fee for each test.

Getting a temporary paper license while you wait

Not all Georgia DDS offices issue temporary paper licenses, but many do. A temporary license is valid for 45 days and lets you drive while your replacement is in the mail. Ask the staff member at your office whether they can issue one. If they can, there is no extra fee — it is included with your replacement.

A temporary license is printed on paper and is not as durable as a plastic card. Keep it in a safe place and bring it with you when you drive. If you lose the temporary license before your replacement arrives, you will need to return to the DDS office and request another one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license by mail or online?

No. Georgia requires you to appear in person at a DDS office to replace a lost license. You cannot do it by mail or online. You must bring your documents and have a new photo taken.

What if I do not have my Social Security card?

Bring another document that shows your Social Security number, such as a W-2, tax return, or bank statement. If you have none of these, you can request a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration before you go to the DDS office, but that will delay your license replacement.

How long does a replacement license take?

Some DDS offices issue your new license on the spot. Others mail it to you, which takes 5 to 7 business days. Ask the staff member at your office which applies. If you need to drive before it arrives, ask about a temporary paper license.

Do I have to retake the written and road tests?

No, unless your license expired more than five years ago. If it expired fewer than five years ago, you straightforward replace it without retesting. If it expired more than five years ago, you must pass both tests again.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You must replace it in Georgia, where it was issued. Visit a Georgia DDS office in person with your documents. If you are out of state and cannot return soon, some offices can mail your replacement to an out-of-state address, but you still must appear in person to explore.