online, in person at the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), or by mail for a fee of $32. State law requires residents to renew their driver’s license every eight years.

Georgia
residents can renew their driver's license online (via the DDS 2 GO app or the official website) or in person—for a fee of $32—every eight years. Renewing your license by mail is possible in some cases.
In-person renewal requires a completed License/ID/Permit form and proof of residency. People over 18 who are US citizens and have a REAL ID can renew their license online and save $5.
After your renewal is completed, it may take up to 30 days for you to get your new license.

When to renew your driver’s license in Georgia

You can renew your license up to 150 days before it expires. Early renewers should allow about 30 days for their new license to come in the mail.

If you’d rather wait until the date is closer, keep an eye on the expiration date printed on the front side of your license. Drivers must apply for renewal every eight years—the date of expiration will fall on your birthday.

MORE:

What are the minimum car insurance laws in Georgia?

How to renew your driver’s license in Georgia

The renewal process has gotten easier in the Peach State thanks to a nifty mobile app called DDS 2 GO. Residents can download the app, create a profile, and renew their driver’s license right through their phone or tablet!

You can also complete the application on the

DDS website

and or by heading to your

nearest DDS office

. In certain cases, you may be able to renew your license via mail as well.

Renew your license in person

Whether your situation requires you to renew your license in person or if you prefer to, it’s important to show up to the DDS prepared to avoid prolonging the process. To begin, you will need to complete the

Form for License/ID/Permit

online. This form should take between five and ten minutes to complete.

You will provide your full social security number on the License/ID/Permit form. As long as your SSN can be verified through the DDS database, you won’t need to bring proof of SSN when you renew in person.

When you arrive at your local DDS office, you must bring the following:

A certified birth certificate, US Passport, I-551, or certificate of naturalization if you are not a

REAL ID holder in Georgia

Two proofs of residency, such as a utility bill or phone bill that indicates your full address.

Payment for the $32 renewal fee

For non-citizens: proof of identity and proof of lawful status, such as a green card

Note that if you do have a REAL ID, you will not need to provide additional proof of identity.

To ensure you appear with the correct documents in hand, you can view the full list of acceptable verifications

here

If your legal name has changed since your last license renewal, you will also need to provide original documentation that verifies the change. This may include:

Your marriage license

A divorce decree that shows the name change

A court document that certifies the name change

You will be issued an interim driver’s license while your new license is being processed.

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Can I get car insurance with a provisional driver's license?

Renew your license online

Unfortunately, not all Georgia drivers qualify for the online renewal option. In order to be eligible, you must:

Be a US citizen

Be over the age of 18

Currently hold a REAL ID (that’s the license with a star in the top right-hand corner)

Have a license in good standing (not suspended, revoked, or canceled)

Hold a CDL license

Do you meet all the qualifications listed above? You’re in luck! All you need to do is create an online account (or log in if you have an existing one) and follow the prompts.

You’ll be asked for your driver’s license number, social security number, and other basic personal information. It gets better—there’s a $5 discount for renewing your license online!

Address change

If you need to update your address, you must do so within 60 days of relocating. This can also be done via the app or DDS site only if you meet the specified requirements.

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Renew your license by mail

You can only renew your Georgia driver's license by mail if you haven't changed your name, if you did your last renewal in person at a DDS Customer Service Center, and if you meet one of the following requirements:

You’re on military duty outside of Georgia, or you are the dependent of a person who is.

You’re going to school out-of-state or are a dependant of someone who is—this is only allowed for one issuance.

You're working temporarily out of state, or are the dependent of someone who is.

You’re physically unable to visit any DDS Customer Service Center.

To renew your license by mail, download the

Mail-In Renewal Packet

, fill out the forms, and send them to the DDS as instructed.

If you are

over the age of 64

and want to renew your license, you'll have to take a vision test at every renewal. For a non-commercial license, you must be able to see at least 20/60 in at least one eye, with or without glasses, and have a field of vision of at least 140 degrees.

How long does it take to renew a driver’s license in Georgia?

You should allow up to 30 days to receive your permanent license after your renewal is complete.

If your license has not been delivered within that time period, visit the

DDS contact page

. This page features an interactive Q&A section as well as phone numbers for the DDS contact center.

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FAQs

How can you verify a change of gender when renewing your license?

For Georgia residents who are updating their gender, you will be required to submit a court order or doctor’s letter that certifies the gender change. The documentation must include your name, date of birth, and date of gender reassignment operation. A passport that indicates the gender change may also be shown.

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