Driver's License Renewal In Georgia State

Driver licenses in Georgia are valid for up to eight years. When your license is about to expire, you must apply for a Georgia driver's license renewal within 150 days of the expiration date listed on your current driver's license. In Georgia, renewing your license does not always entail a lengthy visit to the DDS. But don't delay; if you're caught driving with an expired license, you could face hundreds of dollars in fines.

Required Documents For License Renewal

To complete your Georgia driver's license renewal successfully, you must have:

Proof of Identification

A passport from the United States is the simplest identification form. Your certified birth certificate will most likely be required if you don't have one. If you can't find your birth certificate, you can get a certified copy for $25 from the Georgia Vital Records office. If you were not born in the United States, your Naturalization Certificates could prove identification. If you are not a US citizen, we will go over the necessary documents in the Other Instance section of this article.

Proof of Social Security Number

Bring your Social Security card, a recent pay stub with your Social Security number displayed in its entirety, a Social Security statement (known as an SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S), or a tax form (like a W-2, 1099, or 1040) to prove your Social Security number.

Proof of Georgia Residency

The Georgia DDS requires proof of residency to ensure that you live in the state of Georgia. Bills that have been mailed to your home can satisfy this requirement. Utility bills and mortgage statements are ideal because they will most likely show your home address as the property service and mailing address. Other bills, such as phone bills, student loan statements, and credit card statements, can be used as long as they show your street address.

Other Instances

Name Change

If your current legal name does not match the name on your ID, you must provide certified documentation of your name change. The reason for your name change determines the specific document you require. Here are some of the most common reasons and the documentation required:
  • Marriage: A certified copy of your Marriage License Application or Marriage Certificate/License.
  • Divorce: A certified copy of your Divorce Decree that states your name change.
  • Adoption: A certified copy of the Court Adoption Document.
  • Other legal name changes A certified copy of the Court Order for Legal Name Change.

Non-Citizen

You will be required to provide proof of identification in a Green Card or a valid foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa as a non-citizen of the United States. You must also bring proof of your legal status in the United States. For example, a valid I-94 or I797A Notice of Action.

When To Renew

Georgia driver licenses are valid for eight years from the date of issuance. When your license is 150 days away from expiration, you can begin the Georgia license renewal process, so you don't have to wait for it to expire. If you do not actively use your license and let it expire, you will have two years to renew it without going through the application process again. This time limit is in place to ensure that you haven't forgotten how to drive due to a lack of practice. If your license has expired for more than two years, you must visit the DDS and pass road signs, road rules, road skills tests, and a vision exam.

How To Renew

Applying for a Georgia driver's license can be a time-consuming process. To be eligible for a provisional permit, you must first pass a written test and then a driving test to demonstrate that you will be safe on the road unsupervised. From start to finish, the entire process can take months, depending on how much behind-the-wheel practice you require. Fortunately, once you've obtained your license, renewing it is a fairly simple process. You can complete the entire process online or by mail.

Online

Only a limited number of licenses can be renewed online. Secure ID licenses are distinguished by a gold star in the top right corner of the license. It would be best if you also were under the age of 65 and did not currently have your license suspended. To renew your license online, you must first create a new account with the DDS or log in to your existing account. The renewal instructions can be found on the DDS website or app. Keep in mind that you will not be able to change your driver's license name online. You must present yourself to a customer service center of the Department of Driver Services with the legal documentation of the name change.

Requirements

One way to renew your Georgia driver's license is online. You can do it from the convenience of your own home. To renew your license online, you must do the following:
  • You must be a Georgia resident and at least 18 years old.
  • You must be no older than 64 years old.
  • You must be a US citizen.
  • You must have a non-commercial license/ID (valid or expired within the last 2 years)
  • Have a Secure ID-compliant ID on hand (with a gold star in the top right corner)
  • Have a license that has not been canceled, revoked, or suspended.
  • You must have a debit or credit card to make an online payment.

By Mail

You can also renew a driver's license in Georgia by mail, but this option is only available in limited circumstances, such as when a U.S. citizen cannot visit a renewal center. If you meet one of the following criteria, you may be able to renew by mail:
  • You are attending school out of state and have all of your dependents.
  • You are currently stationed out of state in the military, and all of your dependents are with you.
  • You are physically disabled and cannot physically visit a DDS customer service center.
  • You are working temporarily out of state and have all of your dependents.
To renew online, you must first fill out a mail-in renewal application. It usually takes about 10 days to process. The form, along with the renewal fee, should be mailed to the following address: DDS Special Issuance 2206 Eastview Parkway Conyers, GA 30013

In-Person

If you prefer to do things in person, you can renew your license at any time by visiting the DDS. If you prefer to renew your license in person, you must visit the nearest Department of Driver Services customer service center. At DDS, you will be required to:
  • New photo ID.
  • Please bring the completed license form with you (it can be completed before arriving)
  • If you are 64 or older, you should get a vision exam.
  • Provide documentation proving your identity (SSN card, mail, etc.)
  • Provide documentation proving your legal presence in the United States (if a non-citizen)
  • Pay a $32 renewal fee
Please bring your current license to the center to exchange it. Furthermore, if your driver's license expired more than two years ago, you will be required to take and pass/retake tests such as:
  • Vision exam
  • Road skills test
  • Road rules knowledge
  • Road signs knowledge
If everything checks out, you will be given a temporary license to use until your new license arrives in the mail.

License Renewal For Ages 64 And Older

If you are 64 or older and wish to renew your driver's license, you must first pass a vision test. If you fail the DDS exam, you will be referred to a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist, who will complete a Vision Report, which will be submitted to the DDS.