How to check your Georgia driver's license status
You can check the status of your Georgia driver's license through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website without visiting an office. Go to dds.georgia.gov, select "Check License Status," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
This online tool works for licenses you've already applied for or renewed. It does not process new applications or tell you the status of a pending process you submitted in person at a DDS office. If you applied recently and want to know where your process stands, you'll need to call the DDS customer service line at 678-413-8400 or visit a local office.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS website lets you check whether your current license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired using your license number and birth date.
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive; a revoked license requires you to reapply and may involve additional requirements or waiting periods.
- If your license shows suspended or revoked, the DDS website does not explain why—you must contact DDS directly or visit an office to learn the reason and what steps to take next.
- Checking your status online takes a few minutes and costs nothing, but it does not change your license status or resolve any suspension or revocation.
What each license status means
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. The status page will show your expiration date so you know when to renew.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date and is no longer valid for driving. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DDS office, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you need a new photo. Licenses expired less than five years can usually be renewed without a new photo.
Suspended means your driving privilege has been temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical conditions reported to DDS, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. You cannot legally drive while suspended. To restore your license, you must resolve the underlying reason—pay fines, clear the child support issue, or complete a required medical evaluation—then contact DDS to request reinstatement.
Revoked means your driving privilege has been permanently cancelled, usually for serious violations like driving under the influence or habitual traffic offender status. You cannot straightforward wait out a revocation. You must meet specific requirements set by DDS, which may include a waiting period, completion of a defensive driving course, proof of insurance, or a new written test. After meeting those requirements, you can reapply for a license.
Why your license might be suspended or revoked
Georgia suspends licenses for reasons that don't involve criminal driving behavior. Unpaid traffic tickets, court-ordered fines you haven't paid, failure to maintain auto insurance, or failure to appear in court for a traffic case can all trigger suspension. Child support arrears, failure to pay court-ordered restitution, or medical conditions that make you unsafe to drive (reported by a doctor or discovered during a medical review) also result in suspension.
Revocation is more serious and usually follows criminal or habitual violations. A DUI conviction, reckless driving causing injury, driving with a suspended license multiple times, or accumulating too many points in a short period can lead to revocation. Some revocations are mandatory under state law; others are discretionary based on the severity of your driving record.
The online status check will tell you that your license is suspended or revoked, but it will not explain which of these reasons applies to you. You must call DDS at 678-413-8400, visit a DDS office in person, or check your court records if you know you had a traffic case.
What to do if your license is suspended
First, contact the Georgia DDS to find out the specific reason for the suspension. Call 678-413-8400 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. DDS will tell you what you need to do to lift the suspension—pay a fine, clear a child support debt, provide proof of insurance, or complete a medical evaluation.
Once you've resolved the underlying issue, contact DDS again to request reinstatement. Some suspensions lift automatically once the reason is cleared (for example, once you pay a fine), but others require you to formally request reinstatement. Ask DDS whether you need to submit documents, pay a reinstatement fee, or visit an office in person. Reinstatement fees vary depending on the reason for suspension but typically range from $0 to $210.
Do not drive while your license is suspended. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Georgia and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension or revocation.
What to do if your license is revoked
A revoked license is more complex than a suspension because you cannot straightforward resolve one issue and drive again. Contact DDS to learn the specific reason for revocation and what Georgia law requires you to do before you can reapply.
For a DUI-related revocation, you typically must wait a mandatory period (often one year for a first offense, longer for repeat offenses), complete a DUI education program, provide proof of insurance, and pass a written test when you reapply. For other revocations, requirements vary. DDS will provide a written explanation of what you must do and in what order.
Some people use a limited driving permit while their license is revoked, which allows driving to work, school, or medical appointments only. You must request this from DDS and meet specific conditions. Not all revocations may have access to for a limited permit, so ask DDS whether yours does.
Renewing an expired Georgia license online
If your license is straightforward expired and not suspended or revoked, you can renew online through the DDS website if your license expired less than five years ago and you don't need a new photo. You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The renewal fee is $32 for a four-year license or $64 for an eight-year license.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, and your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If your address has changed, you must renew in person or by mail so you can update it. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DDS office and take a new photo.
When to visit a DDS office in person
Visit a local DDS office if your license is suspended or revoked and you need to understand your options, if you're explore for a limited driving permit, if you need to renew a license that expired more than five years ago, or if you want to update your address or other information during renewal. You can find office locations and hours at dds.georgia.gov.
Bring your current driver's license or state ID, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). If you're renewing after a suspension or revocation, bring any documents DDS requested, such as proof of insurance or completion of a required course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check my license status online?
The status check is when ready. Enter your license number and date of birth, and the system displays your status when ready. You do not need to wait for a response or submit anything for processing.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The online tool requires your own driver's license number and date of birth. Georgia does not allow you to look up another person's license status through the public website for privacy reasons.
My license shows suspended but I don't know why. What do I do?
Call the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 with your license number and date of birth ready. A representative will tell you the reason and what steps you need to take to resolve it. You can also visit a DDS office in person if you prefer to speak face-to-face.
Can I drive if my license is expired but not suspended?
No. An expired license is not valid for driving, even if it is not suspended. You must renew it before you can legally drive. However, if you are in the process of renewing and have submitted your process, you may be able to drive with a temporary permit—ask DDS or check your renewal confirmation.
What's the difference between suspension and revocation?
A suspension is temporary; once you resolve the underlying issue, your license is restored. A revocation is permanent and requires you to meet specific legal requirements and reapply for a new license. Revocations typically take longer to resolve and may involve waiting periods or mandatory courses.