As the New Year begins, Department of Driver Services Commissioner Rob Mikell recommends checking the expiration date of your driver’s license or ID card.
“Happy holidays from the DDS family to yours,” he said. “Please check the expiration date of your license or ID, and plan ahead if you are expiring this upcoming year. Not waiting until the last minute and having all the necessary documents ready ensures a smooth experience when you visit.”
Check the expiration date on the right hand side of your driver’s license or ID card. If it is time to renew, then most U.S. citizens will need to bring four documents to get a gold star on the top right hand corner of their license:
• An original/certified document to prove who you are, such as a birth certificate or passport
• A Social Security card
• Two documents showing your residential address, such as a bank statement or utility bill
If you’ve had a name change, then you’ll also need to bring a document to prove that such as a marriage license.
Non-citizens and anyone missing any of these documents will need to use the checklist which will provide the full list of all documents accepted. Go to www.dds.ga.gov and click on Secure Driver’s License & ID to create your personal checklist or print the entire list.
Customers who already have the gold star printed on their license have already presented the necessary documents and do not have to bring in the information again. These customers may renew online for the next 16 years if they meet the age qualification.
A license or ID card may be renewed up to 150 days before the expiration date.
It is not necessary to visit a DDS customer service center in the county that you reside in. You may obtain licensing services at any center statewide.
Check for alternatives to visiting in person by reviewing DDS Online Services at https://online.dds.ga.gov/onlineservices/.
Certain transactions must be handled in person, but many are available online such as changing your address, replacing a lost license and obtaining a copy of your driving history.
Customers who have the gold star on their license or ID may be eligible to renew their license online, so please check.
Before visiting the DDS
All customers are urged to plan ahead before visiting the DDS to renew or obtain a license or ID card. Customers may print a detailed list of all mandatory requirements to prove identity, residency and social security number at www.dds.ga.gov. Customers may create an individual document checklist tailored to their particular service.
