How long do I have to save my license after a DUI arrest in Georgia?

You have 30 days from the date of your DUI arrest to either request an administrative license suspension (ALS) hearing or install an ignition interlock device. If you do nothing, your license is automatically suspended around day 46 — for a first offense, that is a one-year suspension.

What does it cost to request an ALS hearing in Georgia?

The fee to request an ALS hearing with the Georgia Department of Driver Services is $150. Filing the request also lets you keep driving while the hearing is pending and gives your attorney an early opportunity to question the arresting officer under oath.

Can I still drive after refusing a breath test in a Georgia DUI?

For a first offense, a chemical test refusal can result in a one-year hard suspension with no limited permit at all, unless your attorney successfully challenges the suspension at the ALS hearing. This is why refusal cases are the ones where missing the 30-day deadline is most damaging.

What is the difference between the criminal DUI case and the license case?

A Georgia DUI arrest triggers two separate proceedings: the criminal case, handled in court (such as the State Court of Bibb or Houston County), and the administrative license case, handled by the Department of Driver Services. They run on different timelines, and the license case has a strict 30-day deadline that runs long before your court date.

Archives for August 2026

After a DUI Arrest in Middle Georgia: What to Do in the First 30 Days

August 4, 2026 by Ben Sessions

If you were arrested for DUI last night in Macon, Warner Robins, or anywhere in middle Georgia, there is one thing you need to understand before you ... Read More