Leon Hicks, Esq. Georgia Bar Member  ·  36 Years of DUI Defense Experience  ·  Jonesboro, GA  ·  Last updated: May 2026

How Do I Get My License Back After a DUI in Georgia?

There are two separate legal tracks and one deadline that most people miss. Here is what you need to know — and what most people get wrong.

After a DUI arrest in Georgia, one of the first things people ask is: how do I keep driving? And then, once the case is resolved: how do I get my license back?

The answer is more complicated than most people expect. If you do not understand both tracks, you can end up missing a window that cannot be reopened.

One Offense, Two Separate Tracks

Most people do not realize that their driver’s license is at risk before the criminal case is ever resolved. That is because Georgia operates two separate tracks simultaneously.

Track 1 — The Administrative Track. This begins at the arrest, governed by O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1. The state begins an Administrative License Suspension process regardless of what happens in court. This is a civil process handled by the Georgia Department of Driver Services, completely separate from the criminal charge.

Track 2 — The Criminal Track. This plays out in court. Under Georgia’s double jeopardy protections, you cannot be convicted twice for the same offense. There is one criminal conviction possible — and the administrative track runs separately on its own civil timeline.

Track 1: The Administrative Suspension (Before Conviction)

Governed by O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1

When you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, the officer may issue you a DDS-1205 form — your temporary license and the clock that starts ticking on your 30-day window.

Within 30 days of your arrest, you have two choices:

Option A — Request an ALS hearing. You can challenge the administrative suspension before it takes effect. You must submit a written request to DDS along with a $150.00 filing fee within the 30-day window. If no hearing is requested within 30 days, the suspension begins automatically on day 46.

Option B — Opt into the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) limited driving permit. Instead of fighting the suspension, you can keep driving immediately — with an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle — under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-64.1. This option waives the ALS hearing right.

Track 2: The Conviction Suspension (After a Guilty Plea or Verdict)

Governed by O.C.G.A. § 40-5-63

If you are convicted of DUI in Georgia — whether by guilty plea, no contest, or jury verdict — your license faces suspension through the criminal court. Here is how it works on a first offense:

First Offense DUI Conviction: 12-month suspension. You may be eligible for early reinstatement after 120 days if you complete the DUI Risk Reduction Program (also called DUI School) and pay the reinstatement fee — $210.00 in person at a DDS office, $200.00 by mail.

On a second DUI offense within five years, the timeline gets harder. The suspension is longer, the reinstatement conditions are stricter, and the fees increase.

Second and subsequent offenses: O.C.G.A. § 40-5-75

The Limited Driving Permit: Keeping You on the Road While Suspended

Governed by O.C.G.A. § 40-5-64

Georgia law provides for a limited driving permit that allows you to drive to specific destinations while your license is suspended — work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, and similar essential purposes.

The standard limited permit is available to Georgia licensees who are 21 years of age or older at the time of a first-offense DUI conviction. Important exceptions:

• Out-of-state licensees — If your license was issued by another state, your right to drive is governed by your home state. Georgia can navigate the court process here, but you will need to comply with your home state’s requirements for driving privileges.
• Drug DUI convictions — The standard limited driving permit is not available for drug DUI convictions. However, you may be able to complete a driving education course and obtain a permit through that pathway.

The Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Permit

Governed by O.C.G.A. § 40-5-64.1

The IID limited permit is the option you activate during that 30-day window after your arrest. It allows you to keep driving — to work, to school, anywhere you need to go — but your vehicle must have an ignition interlock device installed, at your expense, with monthly monitoring required.

The IID permit runs for one year. After successful completion — meaning no violations recorded by the device — the interlock restriction is removed from your license.

The DUI Risk Reduction Program

Before your license can be fully reinstated after a DUI conviction in Georgia, you must complete the DUI Risk Reduction Program — commonly called DUI School. This is a state-approved course that addresses substance use education and risk awareness.

Completion of the program is a hard requirement for reinstatement. It cannot be skipped. The certificate of completion gets submitted to DDS as part of the reinstatement process.

The Bottom Line: What You Need to Do

1. The 30-day clock starts at your arrest. Do not let it expire without making a decision about the administrative suspension.
2. Understand which track applies to you — the administrative track, the criminal track, or both.
3. Know your permit options before the window closes. The IID permit must be activated within 30 days. Once that window passes, it cannot be reopened.
4. Budget for the Risk Reduction Program and the reinstatement fee. Both are required before your license is fully restored. The fee is the step most people forget. Do not forget it.
5. Talk to an attorney before you make any decision about the IID permit or the ALS hearing. These choices interact in ways that are not always obvious.

There Is a Version of This That Goes Smoothly

After 36 years, I have seen both versions of this process. The smooth version and the painful version. The difference almost always comes down to two things: whether the person acted within the first 30 days, and whether they had someone walking them through every requirement so nothing got missed at the finish line.

Complete every requirement. Attend DUI School. Install the device if that is your path. And when you get to the end — pay the fee.

I’ve defended DUI cases in Clayton County for over thirty-six years. The first move is a phone call.

This article provides general information about Georgia DUI law and is not a substitute for legal advice. Every case is different. If you have been arrested for DUI, consult with a qualified Georgia DUI attorney about the specifics of your situation. Information in this article cites the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) as in effect at the time of publication.