Georgia Suspended & Revoked Licenses

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Georgia treats suspensions and revocations as separate categories. A suspension is a fixed-time loss of driving privilege; a revocation is an indefinite loss that requires the Department of Driver Services to formally re-issue. Most reinstatements involve a Risk Reduction Course, a fee, and — for DUI-related actions — an SR-22 filing.

Common reasons for a Georgia suspension

DUI conviction under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 — automatic 12-month suspension on first offense, with eligibility for a limited driving permit after 120 days.
Administrative License Suspension (ALS) after a DUI arrest where the driver fails or refuses chemical testing.
Accumulating 15 or more points on the driver record within 24 months for adults.
Accumulating 4 or more points within 12 months for drivers under 21.
Driving without insurance.
Failing to appear in court for a traffic citation.
Failure to pay child support.
Violation of any Class CP or Class D restriction by a teen driver.

Reasons for revocation

Habitual Violator status — three major moving-violation convictions within 5 years.
Hit-and-run involving injury.
Vehicular homicide.
Felony eluding law enforcement.
Driving while declared a Habitual Violator.
Fraudulent or altered driver's license.

Administrative License Suspension (ALS)

The ALS is a civil suspension imposed at the time of a DUI arrest, separate from any criminal conviction. The arresting officer issues a notice on Form 1205, the driver has 30 days to request an administrative hearing, and the suspension begins on day 30 if no hearing is requested. ALS suspensions:

1 year for a first refusal of chemical testing.
3 years for a second refusal within 5 years.
For chemical-test failure, the ALS runs 30 days for a first offense, after which the driver is eligible for a limited permit.

Reinstating after a suspension

For most fixed-term suspensions:

Wait out the suspension period (or the part required before a limited permit).
Complete the Risk Reduction Program (RRP) — a 20-hour DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction course required for any DUI-related suspension. Cost: about $355.
Pay the reinstatement fee — $210 for a non-DUI suspension, $210 to $410 for a DUI-related suspension depending on offense count.
File SR-22 insurance for at least 3 years from reinstatement.
Visit a DDS Customer Service Center with reinstatement payment receipt and identity documents.

Limited Driving Permit

Georgia offers a Limited Driving Permit after the first 120 days of a DUI suspension that allows driving for:

Work, including reasonable commuting.
Court-ordered programs (RRP, treatment, probation appointments).
Medical appointments for the driver or immediate family.
School (high school, college, vocational).
Court appearances.

The permit costs $25, requires SR-22 insurance, and is restricted to a single defined daily route during defined hours. Violating the permit converts the suspension into a Habitual Violator-style revocation.

Reinstating after revocation

Habitual Violator revocations require a 5-year wait followed by a formal DDS hearing. The driver must demonstrate completion of any court-ordered treatment, sustained sobriety, and compliance with all probation terms. Most successful applicants receive a probationary license rather than a full Class C — the probationary license carries a daily mileage limit and an ignition interlock requirement.

Out-of-state holds

Georgia honors the National Driver Register and the Driver License Compact. A suspension in any other state will block the issuance of a Georgia license until the home state clears the action. Drivers moving to Georgia from another state should pull a current driving record from their previous state before applying for a Georgia license.

For more on driver-record consequences nationwide, see our national point system guide.