Renew a Georgia Driver's License
You may apply to renew 150 days before the expiration date of the license. You may renew an expired license within 2 years of the expiration date.
Customers who are renewing for the first time must visit a Department of Driver Services (DDS) Customer Service Center.
How Do I … Renew a Driver's License?
Get Prepared
- If you already have a Real ID compliant license, you may renew online or via the DDS 2 Go mobile app.
- If your license expired more than 2 years ago, you will have to retake and pass the Knowledge Exam, Vision Exam, and Road Skills Test. (Check Test and Exams for more information.)
- If you are 64 or older, you are required to take and successfully complete an in-person vision screening at each renewal period.
Gather What You’ll Need
- Original documentation showing your identity, residential address, Social Security number, and U.S. citizenship or proof of lawful status in the United States. Photocopies will not be accepted. (Refer to Secure ID for more information.)
- Your current license, ID, or permit.
- Renewal fee, paid for in cash or by credit card (Check fees and terms for more information.)
Name Change
- If the name on your identity document differs from your current legal name, you must provide document(s) to show your name change history (For example, the name on Birth Certificate does not match to current legal name due to a marriage).
- Documents are required even if your name is correct on your current license/id. (See the complete list of Real ID Documents for additional requirements).
- Customers who hold a valid GA Driver's License or ID Card are to present the original or certified document which supports the most recent name change.
- Customers who are new to Georgia must provide the complete trail of original or certified documents that support ALL name changes.
Create & Submit Application
You can renew your Georgia’s driver’s license online, via the DDS 2 GO app, in person, or by mail (in some circumstances).
Renew driver's license accordion
- Go to the DDS Online Services Portal.
- Log in to your existing DDS account, or create one.
- Fill out the application to renew your license.
- Pay any associated fees, if necessary. (If you are renewing in the Online Services Portal, you’ll receive a $5 discount from stated fees.)
- Download the DDS 2 GO app to your device via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account or log in with an existing account.
- Select the Services option.
- From the Services menu, select Renewal.
- Follow the app’s prompts to renew your license.
- Pay any associated fees, if necessary.
- Be prepared to have your photo taken, if necessary.
- Complete the online application form. The information you submit will only be saved for 30 days. After that, you will need to submit another application.
- Visit your local DDS Customer Service Center.
- Submit your renewal and pay any associated fees, if necessary.
- Renewal by mail is an option for customers who are unable to renew in person. It is limited to customers who are:
- stationed out of state in the military, and their dependents stationed with them.
- attending school out of state, and their dependents who are with them.
- temporarily working out of state, and their dependents who are with them.
- physically incapacitated and unable to visit a Customer Service Center.
Next Steps
- For mail-in renewals, application processing usually takes about 30 days once your complete application package is received. DDS recommends that you submit your completed package at least 60 days before your license expires.
- For online and mobile renewals, your new license will be delivered by mail 30 days after the transaction is completed. If a renewal includes an address change, it generally takes an additional 14-21 days to process in order to validate new addresses.
- Depending on your situation, you may receive your new license the same day if you visit a DDS Customer Service Center.
- Get Prepared
- Gather What You’ll Need
- Create & Submit Application
- Next Steps
