Getting your license reinstated in Georgia
might only require paying a fine, but for second or subsequent offenses, fines can increase and you may have to wait until your suspension or revocation period expires before applying for reinstatement. Having your license suspended or revoked can be a significant hindrance to living a normal life. Depending on the offense, you might be able to get your license reinstated quickly. But in more serious incidents, fines can increase and you may have to wait a significant amount of time before having your driving privileges reinstated. Of course, rules vary from state to state.
In Georgia, reinstatement of your driver’s license can cost anywhere from $25 to $410, depending on the offense. That’s why the car insurance
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Why you might need a license reinstatement in Georgia
Georgia’s Department of Driver Services
can issue driver’s license suspensions, revocations, and cancellations for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, you’ll need to complete some forms and pay a reinstatement fee to legally drive again, while in more serious circumstances, the requirements will be lengthier. How to get a license reinstatement in Georgia
Depending on the circumstances, your license can be reinstated after paying your fine, or you might have to wait until your suspension or revocation period ends before applying for reinstatement. Here are some of the most common reasons why driver’s licenses are suspended or revoked in Georgia.
Georgia Super Speeder tickets
A Georgia Super Speeder ticket carries a $200 fine and means you’ve been pulled over for the following:
Going more than 75 miles per hour on a two-lane road or highway
Going more than 85 miles per hour on any road or highway
You’ll be notified of the fine by mail. If you do not pay your ticket within 120 days from the first notice, your license will be suspended. Reinstating your license after a Super Speeder ticket costs $50 (in addition to the fine).
For out-of-state drivers, the same rules apply. If you don’t pay your fine within 120 days of receiving your Georgia Super Speeder ticket, you’ll lose your non-resident Georgia driving privileges. Out-of-state drivers can pay their fees online or by mail.
Child support
If you fail to meet your child support obligations, Georgia law mandates that the state’s Department of Human Services automatically alert the Department of Driver’s Services, resulting in a notice that your driver’s license will be suspended.
You will have a grace period to come into compliance with the law—if you pay your child support obligations within 60 days, your license won’t be suspended.
Reinstating your license after a child support-related suspension costs $25 by mail or $35 in person.
Driving under the influence (DUI)
If you’re convicted of a DUI
and are older than 21 years of age, your license will be suspended for between 120 days to five years, depending on the severity of the offense. For a non-resident convicted of a DUI, you will lose your non-resident driving privileges in Georgia. If you are a Georgia resident and are convicted of a DUI while out of state, that conviction can result in a suspension of your Georgia driver’s license as well.
The cost to reinstate your driver’s license after a first DUI conviction (over 21 years of age) is $200 by mail or $210 in person.
Failure to appear
If you have a court date and don’t show up or you fail to pay a traffic citation, you will get an FTA suspension. You’ll need to pay a fine of $90 by mail or $100 in person in order to get your license reinstated after an FTA suspension.
No proof of insurance
In Georgia
, you are required to meet the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements. If you’re pulled over and cannot show proof of insurance
, your license or permit will be suspended. To get your license reinstated, you’ll need to pay a fine of $200 by mail or $210 in person for a first offense. For a second offense of this nature, you’ll have to pay a fine of $300 by mail or $310 in person.
Points violation
A Georgia driver with more than 15 points accumulated within one 24-month period will have their driver’s license suspended.
The fines for points violations are as follows:
First violation: $200 by mail, $210 in person
Second violation: $300 by mail, $310 in person
Third and subsequent violations: $400 by mail, $410 in person
How to get a license reinstatement in Georgia
There are a few ways to get your license reinstated in Georgia, while most involve paying a fine online, by mail, or in person, and completing some paperwork.
To find out more about Georgia’s reinstatement rules, check the state’s Reinstate Online Today
tab. You can pay your fine online, by mail, or in person. Online: Use Online Services
to pay your fine and get your license reinstated By mail: Send your payment to the following address:
Department of Driver Services (DDS)
Include your Official Notice of Suspension with payment (includes your name, disposition, and violation date)
If you did not receive an official notice, include with your payment your full name, driver’s license number, address, and Social Security number
If applicable, include any relevant documents, such as DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Certificate
Any checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks should be made payable to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)
IF paying by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or Discover), complete and include the following form
Payment must be made in full
Bring proof of identity (here’s a list
of accepted proof of ID) If you have one, bring your Official Notice of Suspension and any applicable documents with you
Pay with cash or credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)—checks are not accepted for in-person payment
Payments must be made in full
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How to get a hardship license in Georgia
If your driver’s license is suspended in Georgia, but you need to get to school, work, or medical appointments or treatments, you can apply for a hardship license, but these are granted only in some circumstances.
Not everyone is eligible for a hardship license, and you’ll need to meet certain requirements in order to qualify.
You may be eligible to apply for a Georgia Hardship License if:
It is your first DUI conviction or first or second suspension for points violation
You may be eligible for second offenses by completing additional requirements as set out by the DDS
Anytime you apply for a hardship license, you will need to provide proof that your lack of a driver’s license is a hardship, along with proper documentation. With a second DUI conviction, you’ll need to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Drivers under 21 are not allowed to apply for a hardship license in Georgia.
MORE: High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know
What is an SR-22 certificate?
If your driver’s license is suspended or revoked in Georgia, you may need to apply for SR-22 Insurance
through your insurance provider to drive again. Such a certificate provides legal proof that your insurance coverage meets Georgia’s minimum requirements. Georgia drivers with a suspended or revoked license will need to get SR-22 insurance if their license is suspended for at least 90 days. Their insurer will need to fax SR-22 directly to Georgia’s Department of Driver Services. They will need to pay a fee of $200 by mail or $210 in person.
Out-of-state drivers must obtain SR-22 insurance that meets Georgia’s minimum insurance requirements and must present a receipt showing valid payment to their insurer. Out-of-state drivers convicted of driving without insurance in Georgia must maintain SR-22 coverage for three years.
For drivers convicted of driving without insurance who don’t own a vehicle, they will need to acquire an SR-22 non-owners insurance policy for three years from their conviction date.
If you are convicted of driving without insurance for a second time, you’ll need to get your insurer to submit another SR-22 form on your behalf. Non-owners convicted a second time will also need another SR-22 certificate.
If your SR-22 certificate is canceled during the three-year probationary period, your driver’s license will be canceled. If your license is suspended a second or following time, you will be ineligible to apply for a hardship permit.
Do know, if you need SR-22 coverage, be prepared for significant premium hikes on your insurance.
MORE: How to fill out and file an SR-22
How to save money on car insurance in Georgia
If your driver’s license is suspended in Georgia (or anywhere, really), you’ll need a robust car insurance
plan once you get back on the road. The best way to get an affordable plan is by using Jerry
. After signing up in just 45 seconds, Jerry will get to work and compare more than 50 top quotes to ensure you get the best policy possible, at the best rate. Once you pick your policy, Jerry will sign you up with your new provider and cancel your old policy. Best of all, Jerry users save an average of $887 per year on car insurance!
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