Thanks to technology, endless wait times at the DMV are largely a thing of the past. If you’re moving within the state, you can conveniently update the address on your

Georgia driver’s license

through an app or online portal.

If you’re moving within Georgia

Whether you're heading south from Atlanta to Columbus or heading toward the Spanish oaks in Savannah, updating your address can still be done pretty easily. Here are your options for address updates if you’re moving within the state:

Fill out your information for an address change online

Update your address via the DDS 2 GO mobile app

Get your license updated in person at a

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) location

Georgia residents with existing state IDs and/or licenses have 60 days to complete the address change process after establishing residency.

To qualify for

online renewal

, or to use the

DDS 2 GO mobile app

, you’ll need to fall into these categories:

US Citizen

Georgia resident

At least 18 years old

Possess a

Georgia Real-ID license or ID

Updating your address online or via the app has its perks—you’ll get a $5 discount on license fees and fees are waived if the application is submitted within the term of your driver’s license. However,

commercial driver’s license

holders are not eligible for the online option.

If you’re planning to update your address in person at a DDS location, you’ll need to fill out a

form online

and head to the office with the following documents:

One document to prove residency if you’re a Real ID license or ID holder

Two documents to prove residency if you don’t have a Real ID license or ID

For a full list of approved documents, check out

this list

. Don’t forget to look your best, because you’ll also need to take a photo! Once all those steps are complete, you’ll receive your new license in the mail within two to three weeks.

Finally, you’ll need to change the address of your vehicle’s registration, which can be done online or in person at a

Georgia County Tag office

. In Georgia, the cost to register a new car is $20, and you’ll need to complete this within 30 days of moving.

MORE:

What are the car insurance laws in Georgia?

If you’re moving to Georgia from another state

If you’re new to the land of the peaches, the address change process takes a little more legwork. You’ll have to go in person to a DDS Customer Service Center location and transfer your current driver’s license to a valid Georgia license within 30 days of your move.

If you have a valid out-of-state license or one that’s been expired for under two years, you’ll just have to turn in your current license and pass a vision exam.

With a valid license, you won’t need to take the written knowledge or road tests. However, if your license has been expired for more than two years, you’ll need to pass all three exams (vision, written, road) and provide a copy of your

driving record

All applicants need to come prepared with documentation to prove identity, residential address, and lawful presence in the US. Your Social Security number also needs to be presented when you fill out the online form. You can find a full list of accepted documents

here

Once you’ve rounded up your forms and your name is called at the desk, you’ll need to be prepared to verify your Social Security number, take a photo, and pay a $32 fee to obtain a Class A, B, C, E, F, M license or Georgia ID Card.

Before you’re ready to hit the roads as a bonafide Georgia driver, you’ll need to complete

vehicle registration

within 30 days of making Georgia your new home. In most cases, you need to head to a County Tag office in person with your valid Georgia driver’s license or ID card, a completed

MV-1 Title/Tag Application

, and proof of ownership of your vehicle.

MORE:

Title transfer in Georgia

Other steps for a Georgia change of address

Before you can make any headway with your Georgia address change, make sure you

with the United States Post Office (USPS)! Not only is this a crucial step in getting your documents in a row, but it will also ensure you don’t miss any mail or packages at your new address.

How to notify your insurance company of your Georgia change of address

To avoid a

lapse in coverage

, you’ll need to update your

car insurance

provider on your address change. Most major providers offer online services and/or profile updates via an app, but you can always call and speak directly to an agent to ensure you’re in the clear.

Why notifying your insurance company of a change of address is so important

If you’re speeding back to your old house to grab that last bookshelf and get pulled over along the way, you could be hit with penalties if your insurance isn’t up to date with your new address. With

Georgia’s minimum insurance requirements

for its drivers, you might get ticketed, especially if your previous policy was held in another state.

Insurance providers base their rates in part on your zip code, so a mismatched address can not only impact the amount you’re paying but can also appear as a

fraudulent claim

—leading to unnecessary legal issues.

Skip the potential for any of those headaches by getting your address updated with your insurance provider as soon as you’re settled into your new home!