How to Renew Your Georgia Driver's License

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 Georgia DDS website if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you're renewing early, or in person at a DDS office. The online option is fastest — you'll receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal at a DDS office takes about 30 minutes and you walk out with a temporary license the same day, though your permanent card arrives later by mail.

Your license expires on your birthday. Georgia sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before expiration, but you don't have to wait for the notice to renew. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person at a DDS office — you cannot use the online or mail options.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website is the fastest option if your license is not expired and you have no medical conditions that require in-person review.
You'll need your current Georgia driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) to renew online.
Mail renewal is available only if you're renewing before your license expires and you meet Georgia's requirements for non-in-person renewal.
In-person renewal at a DDS office is required if your license has expired, and you'll need to bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
Georgia charges $32 for a four-year license renewal or $64 for an eight-year renewal, plus a $5 online processing fee if you renew through the website.

Online renewal through the Georgia DDS website

The Georgia Department of Driver Services allows online renewal at dds.georgia.gov if your license is not expired and you don't have certain medical conditions on your record. You'll need your current license number, Social Security number, and a credit or debit card. The process takes about 10 minutes. You'll pay $32 for a four-year renewal or $64 for an eight-year renewal, plus a $5 online fee.

After you submit your process online, Georgia mails your new license to the address on file. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait. If you need to change your address, you can do that during the online renewal process.

You cannot renew online if your license has expired, if you have a medical condition flagged in the system that requires in-person evaluation, or if you're changing your name. If any of these explore, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal at a DDS office

Walk into any DDS office with your current Georgia driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You do not need an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day. The renewal takes about 30 minutes.

When you finish, you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If your license has expired, in-person renewal is your only option. In-person renewal also allows you to change your name, address, or medical information, and to request a REAL ID-compliant license if you don't already have one.

The fee is the same as online renewal: $32 for four years or $64 for eight years. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office.

Mail renewal for early applicants

If your license is not yet expired and you meet Georgia's requirements, you can renew by mail. You'll need to request a renewal process from the Georgia DDS by calling 678-413-8400 or visiting a DDS office in person. Once you receive the form, fill it out, include a check or money order for $32 (four-year) or $64 (eight-year), and mail it to the address on the form.

Processing by mail takes longer than online or in-person renewal — typically 2 to 3 weeks after Georgia receives your process. Mail renewal is not available if your license has expired or if you need to make changes to your name, address, or medical information. For those situations, you must renew in person.

What to do if your license has expired

If your Georgia driver's license has expired, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a DDS office in person with your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Bring the same documents you would for a standard in-person renewal.

You can drive to the DDS office on your expired license, though technically you are not supposed to operate a vehicle with an expired license. Once you complete your in-person renewal, you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Finding a DDS office and checking wait times

Georgia has DDS offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check current wait times at dds.georgia.gov under the "Locations" section. Some offices are busier than others — smaller county offices often have shorter waits than offices in Atlanta or other large cities. Early morning on weekdays typically has shorter wait times than afternoons or weekends.

You do not need an appointment for license renewal at most DDS offices. However, some offices now offer appointment scheduling through the website. If your local office offers appointments, you can reserve a time slot to reduce your wait.

REAL ID compliance and your Georgia license

Georgia driver's licenses issued after January 1, 2010 are REAL ID-compliant by default. A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and is required for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. If your current license does not have the gold star and you want one, you can request it during in-person renewal by bringing an original or certified copy of your birth certificate along with your other documents.

If you renew online or by mail, your new license will be REAL ID-compliant if your current license is. You cannot request REAL ID compliance through online or mail renewal — you must renew in person for that change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Georgia license if I'm out of state?

If you're temporarily out of state, you can renew online at dds.georgia.gov as long as your license is not expired. Your new license will be mailed to your Georgia address on file. If you've moved out of state permanently, you should contact the Georgia DDS about your options, as you may need to update your residency.

What happens if I renew online but my address changed?

You can update your address during the online renewal process before you submit your process. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address. If you realize after submitting that your address is wrong, contact the Georgia DDS at 678-413-8400 to request a correction before your card is printed.

How long can I drive on an expired Georgia license?

You should not drive on an expired license. However, if you're in the process of renewing in person, your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive legally while you wait for your permanent card. If your license has expired and you have not started the renewal process, you are driving illegally and could be cited.

Do I need a new photo when I renew my Georgia license?

For online and mail renewal, Georgia uses your existing photo from your current license. You do not need a new photo. If you renew in person, the DDS will take a new photo as part of the process, so you'll have an updated photo on your new license.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Georgia may suspend your license if you have unpaid traffic fines or other court-ordered debts. Before you renew, check your driving record at dds.georgia.gov to see if there are any holds on your license. If there are, you'll need to resolve those issues before you can renew. Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine for instructions on payment.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.