Where to renew and what you'll need
You can renew your Georgia driver's license in person at any Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office, or online through the Georgia DDS website if you meet certain conditions. The online route is faster—you can complete it from home in about 15 minutes—but it's only open to people whose licenses are not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than five years, and who don't need to update their address or name.
If you renew in person, bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. You'll also need to pass a vision test. If your address or name has changed, bring a document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or utility bill in your new name.
Online renewal requires your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. You won't need to visit an office or take a new photo, because Georgia will use your existing license photo if you're renewing before it expires.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 15 minutes and costs less than in-person renewal, but only works if your license is current and you're not changing your address or name.
- In-person renewal at a DDS office requires your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and a vision test.
- Georgia driver's licenses are valid for eight years, so you can renew up to six months before expiration without penalty.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written knowledge test.
- DDS offices accept walk-ins, but wait times vary by location and time of day—calling ahead can tell you what to expect.
Online renewal: when it works and how long it takes
Georgia's online renewal system is the fastest option if your circumstances haven't changed. You log into your account on the DDS website, verify your information, upload a new photo if you want one (optional), and pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. The system will tell you when ready whether your renewal was processed.
Once approved, Georgia will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard mail delivery takes about 7 to 10 business days from the time your renewal is processed. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license hasn't expired yet.
Online renewal is not available if you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), if your license is suspended or revoked, if you need to change your address or legal name, or if your current license expired more than five years ago. In any of those situations, you must go to a DDS office in person.
In-person renewal at a DDS office
Walk into any DDS office during business hours with your documents, and a staff member will check your paperwork and take you to the vision station. You'll read letters and numbers on a screen to confirm you can see well enough to drive safely. If you pass, you'll sit for a new photo, pay the renewal fee, and receive a temporary paper license on the spot.
Your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary paper license is valid for driving until your new card arrives. If you need to change your address or name, tell the staff member before you sit for your photo, because those changes must be recorded on your new license.
Wait times at DDS offices vary widely depending on the location and the time of day. Some offices are busier on certain days of the week. Calling the office ahead of time or checking the DDS website for current wait times can help you plan when to visit. Many offices open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., but hours vary by location.
Cost and payment methods
Georgia charges different renewal fees depending on how long your new license will be valid. A standard eight-year renewal costs $32 if you renew online or $35 if you renew in person at a DDS office. The in-person fee is higher because it includes the cost of the vision test and new photo.
You can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only. At a DDS office, you can pay with cash, check, credit card, or debit card. Some offices may have ATMs on site if you need cash.
What happens if your license has been expired for a long time
If your Georgia driver's license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use the online renewal system. You must go to a DDS office in person, and you may be required to retake the written knowledge test and the road test, depending on how long it has been expired and your age.
Drivers under 18 who let their license expire must retake both tests. Drivers 18 and older may only need to retake the written test if the license has been expired for more than five years. Call your local DDS office or check the website to find out what tests you'll need to take before you go in, so you can study if necessary.
Bring the same documents you would for a standard in-person renewal: your expired license (if you still have it), proof of residency, and your Social Security number. If you've lost your license, bring two forms of identification instead.
Renewing before your license expires
Georgia allows you to renew your driver's license up to six months before it expires. Renewing early doesn't change when your new license will expire—your eight-year term starts from the expiration date of your current license, not from the date you renew. So if your license expires on March 15, 2025, and you renew in January 2025, your new license will still expire on March 15, 2033.
Renewing early can be useful if you're planning a trip and want to make sure your license arrives before you leave, or if you want to avoid the rush closer to your expiration date. Many people renew online a few months before expiration specifically because it's quick and doesn't require a trip to an office.
Changing your address or name during renewal
If you've moved or changed your name since your current license was issued, you must update this information during renewal. You cannot change your address or name online—you must renew in person at a DDS office.
Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days) and proof of your name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other legal document). The DDS staff will record the change on your new license. Your new license will be mailed to the new address you provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
Yes, but the process depends on how long it's been expired. If it expired less than five years ago, you can renew online or in person using the standard renewal process. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake written and road tests.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
After your renewal is processed, your new license arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your current license or your temporary paper license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license hasn't expired.
What if I need my license before the new one arrives in the mail?
If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot that's valid for driving. If you renew online, you can continue to drive on your current license until your new one arrives. If you need a replacement urgently, call your local DDS office to ask about expedited options.
Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online, you can keep your existing photo or upload a new one—it's your choice. If you renew in person, you will sit for a new photo at the DDS office as part of the renewal process.
What if I move after I renew but before my new license arrives?
Contact the DDS office where you renewed and provide your new address. They can update your mailing address on file so your license is sent to the correct location. You can also call the DDS customer service line to report your address change.