License Renewal in Georgia

Renewing Your Georgia Driver's License

Before your GA driver's license expires, you will need to renew it with the Department of Driver Services (DDS).

On this page you'll find information on renewing your driver's license online, in person, and by mail.

If you are renewing a commercial drivers license in Georgia, please see our Renewing Your CDL in Georgia page.

If you need to renew your ID card, please see our Identification Cards in Georgia page.

Georgia Secure ID Driver's Licenses

The Georgia DDS began issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses—called the SecureID—in 2012. A Secure ID allows you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings. The information below reflects the requirements to obtain a Georgia Secure ID.

For details on GA REAL IDs, see the DDS' guide and FAQs.

When to Renew Your GA Driver License

The Georgia DDS offers driver's licenses valid for 8 years.

Since Georgia is federally compliant with the REAL ID Act, the DDS will issue you a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license with a gold star in the top right corner called a Secure ID, if you don’t have one already. See “In-Person Driver’s License Renewal" if you'll be upgrading from a standard ID to a SecureID.

Before you renew, determine the status of your license and follow the appropriate steps below.

Valid Driver's License

You can renew a valid/current Georgia driver's license up to:

  • 150 days before the expiration date.
    OR
  • 2 years after it expires.

You have the option to renew online, in person, or by mail.

Please note, if you are 64 years old or older, you must pass a vision exam. The exam can be completed by a Department of Driver Services location, or remotely by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. If done remotely your medical professional will need to fill out a Vision Report (Form (DDS-MR-274), or provide proof of a vision exam within the last 2 years, and fax or mail the form to the Department of Driver Services 

You will receive a temporary driver's license; your permanent GA driver's license will arrive in the mail within 30 days.

NOTE: If you are renewing your Georgia driver's license and you do not hold a Secure ID driver's license, you must renew in person.

Expired Driver's License

If your Georgia driver's license has been expired for more than 2 years, you'll need to visit a GA DMV office in person to pass the following tests:

  • Road signs.
  • Road rules.
  • Road skills.
  • Vision.

Suspended Driver License

If your Georgia driver's license is suspended, you cannot renew your license. You'll need to reinstate your driving privileges.

For more information, please see our Suspended License in Georgia page.

Check Your Driving Record

Is your driver's license valid or suspended? Check your driving record to find out.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Drivers License

If your GA driver's license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can still renew it as long as you know your driver's license number and issue date.

If you need to replace your GA driver's license, please see our Replacing a Lost License in Georgia page.

Online Driver License Renewal

You can renew your driver's license online if:

  • You hold a Secure ID driver's license (includes a gold star in the top right corner).
  • You have a non-commercial driver's license.
  • Your license is not suspended.
  • You are a Georgia resident.
  • You are a U.S. citizen.

NOTE: You cannot renew your license online if your current license is not already REAL ID-compliant.

To renew online, you'll need to first register for an online customer account by visiting the GA DMV website. You'll need to provide your:

  • Social Security number (SSN).
  • First and last name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Driver's license number.
  • Driver's license issue date.
  • License class.

Drivers 64 years old and over are required to take a vision exam at every renewal.

Log in to your Georgia DDS online account to renew your GA driver's license online.

You'll need a credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Driver License in Georgia" section below.)

In-Person Driver License Renewal

To renew your Georgia driver's license in person, visit your local Georgia Department of Driver Services office and:

  • Provide original or certified copies of:
    • 1 document proving your identity, such as your:
      • Valid U.S. passport.
      • U.S. birth certificate.
      • U.S. citizenship certificate.
    • 1 document proving your SSN, such as your:
      • Social Security card.
      • W-2 form.
      • Social Security annual statement.
    • 2 documents proving your GA residency, such as your:
      • Bank statements.
      • Utility bills.
      • Rental agreements.
    For more details, please see the complete list of accepted documents.
  • Complete a Mail-In Renewal Packet.
  • Have your photo taken.
  • Pay the renewal fee. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Driver License in Georgia" section below.)

You will receive a temporary driver's license to use until you receive your new card. If you don't receive your license in the mail, you can contact the GA DDS to check the status of your renewal.

NOTE: If your legal name has changed and is different than your name on your document proving your identity when you renew, you must also provide a document proving your name change, such as a:

  • Marriage certificate.
  • Divorce decree.
  • Court order.

For more information about changing your name on your Georgia drivers license, please see our page on Changing Your Name in Georgia.

Out-of-State Renewal by Mail

You can only renew your driver's license by mail if you are:

  • A military member stationed out of state.
  • A student attending school out of state.
  • Temporarily employed out of state.
  • A dependent/spouse of any of the above.
  • Physically disabled and unable renew in person or online.

To renew your Georgia driver license by mail, you'll need:

  • A completed mail-in renewal package.
  • Payment for your renewal fee. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Driver's License in Georgia" section below.)

Once the Georgia Department of Driver Services receives your application, it will take about 45 days to process.

If you want your application processed before your GA driver's license expires, mail your completed renewal package to the GA DDS at least 60 days before your expiration date.

NOTE: You can only obtain a driver license valid for 8 years when you renew by mail.

Renewals for GA Military Residents

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

If you are an active-duty military member stationed out of state, you and your spouse and dependents can renew your Georgia driver license by mail. Please see the “Out-of-State Renewal by Mail" section above.

After you have been discharged or reassigned back to Georgia, you have a grace period of 6 months to renew your expired GA drivers license.

Fees to Renew Your Driver License in Georgia

It will cost you the following fees to renew a GA non-commercial drivers license:.

  • 8 years (Class C, E, F, M): $32.
  • Honorary drivers license: Free.
  • National Guard drivers license: free.
  • Veteran's driver license: free.

NOTE: Online renewals receive a $5 discount.

Accepted Forms of Payment

For in-person transactions, Georgia DMV offices accept:

  • VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit/debit cards.
  • Cash.
  • Money order.
  • Check.

For online transactions, you can pay with the following credit/debit cards:

  • VISA.
  • MasterCard.
  • Discover.
  • American Express.

Mail-in driver license renewals can be paid by:

Forms

(DDS-MR-274
Vision Report
Have a physician complete this form if the DDS requires a vision test to issue your license.
DDS-100
Credit Card Payment Authorization Form
Include this form when mailing payment to the Department of Driver Services by credit card, for transactions such as renewing your license or ordering a driving record.
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