Georgia driver's license renewal: online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Georgia driver's license through three routes: online at the DDS website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a local DDS office. The online method is fastest and costs $32 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and works only if your license is not expired and you have no medical conditions flagged in your record. In-person renewal at a DDS office takes about an hour and is required if your license is expired by more than two years, if you need to update your address, or if you have vision or medical restrictions.
Georgia does not send renewal reminders, so track your expiration date yourself — it appears on the front of your license. You can renew up to one year before expiration. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website costs $32 and takes about 15 minutes, but works only if your license is not expired and you have no medical flags.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires a completed form, your current license, and a check or money order — use it only if your license is still valid.
- In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to change your address, or if you have vision or medical restrictions.
- Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment when you renew in person.
- Georgia does not send renewal notices, so check your license expiration date and renew before it passes to avoid driving with an expired license.
Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website
Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is current and you have no medical or vision restrictions. Go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, select "Renew Your License," and create or log into your account. You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system will verify your information against DDS records and ask you to confirm your address and any name changes.
Payment is $32 by debit or credit card. Once approved, your new license will be mailed to the address on file within seven to ten business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal does not work if your license has expired, if you have medical conditions or vision restrictions in your file, or if you need to change your address.
Mail renewal: when it works and what to send
Mail renewal is an option only if your license is not expired and you have no medical or vision flags. read the DL 44 form from the Georgia DDS website, fill it out completely, and mail it with your current license, a check or money order for $32 payable to "Georgia DDS," and a photocopy of your current license. Mail everything to the address listed on the form — typically the DDS office in Atlanta.
Processing takes two to three weeks. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Do not mail your original license unless you are certain you will not need to drive before the new one arrives; some people keep a photocopy instead. If your process is incomplete or information does not match DDS records, they will mail it back and you will lose time.
In-person renewal at a Georgia DDS office
Renew in person if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to update your address, if you have vision or medical restrictions, or if you prefer to walk out with a temporary license the same day. Find your local DDS office on the Georgia DDS website and check their hours — many offices close for lunch and some have limited evening hours. You do not need an appointment; renewals are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bring your current license (or expired license if it is less than two years past expiration), proof of residency dated within 60 days (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or insurance bill), and payment of $32 by cash, check, or card. If your license expired more than two years ago, you will also take a vision screening and may need to retake the written test. The entire process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired less than two years ago, you can still renew by mail or in person using the same process as a standard renewal. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. You will take a vision screening, and the DDS examiner may require you to retake the written knowledge test. Bring the same documents as for a standard in-person renewal.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Georgia, even if you are in the process of renewing. If you are stopped by police, you can show proof that you have applied for renewal (a receipt or confirmation email), but this does not may provide you will avoid a citation. Renew as soon as you notice your license has expired.
Address changes and other updates
If you need to change your address, you must renew in person — online and mail renewal do not allow address updates. Bring your current license, proof of residency at your new address dated within 60 days, and $32. The DDS will issue a new license with your updated address within seven to ten business days.
If you need to change your name, add or remove restrictions, or update medical information, you must also renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and $32. Medical updates require a form completed by your doctor; ask the DDS office which form they need before your appointment.
Temporary license and what to do while you wait
If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed. This temporary license has the same legal weight as your permanent license for driving purposes. If you renew online or by mail, you can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives, which usually takes seven to ten business days.
If your new license does not arrive within two weeks of your in-person renewal or within three weeks of your mail renewal, contact the Georgia DDS office where you renewed. Have your confirmation number or receipt ready. Do not assume the license is lost; mail delays happen regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Georgia license if I live out of state?
Yes, you can renew by mail or online as long as your license is not expired and you have no medical flags. If you need to renew in person, you must visit a Georgia DDS office in person — there is no exception for out-of-state residents. Some people renew by mail or online, then update their address later if they move permanently.
What if I lost my license before it expired?
You will need to replace it rather than renew it. Go to a Georgia DDS office in person with proof of identity and residency, pay the replacement fee (usually $32), and you will receive a temporary license on the spot. The permanent license will be mailed within seven to ten business days.
Do I need to retake the written test when I renew?
No, not for a standard renewal. You only retake the written test if your license expired more than two years ago and you are renewing in person. The DDS examiner will decide whether you need to retake it based on your record.
How long is a renewed Georgia license valid?
A renewed license is valid for eight years from the date of issue. Your expiration date will be printed on the front of your new license. You can renew up to one year before expiration.
What if the DDS rejects my online or mail renewal?
The DDS will mail your process back with an explanation if information does not match their records or if your process is incomplete. You will then need to renew in person at a local DDS office with the corrected documents. This adds two to three weeks to the process, so double-check all information before submitting.