Getting Your Georgia Drivers License Back After A DUI Arrest

By Ben Sessions on January 17th, 2015 in Uncategorized

HOW DO I GET MY LICENSE BACK AFTER BEING ARRESTED FOR A DUI IN GEORGIA?

THIS POST ONLY ADDRESSES THE RE-ISSUANCE OF YOUR GEORGIA DRIVERS FOLLOWING A DUI ARREST AND PRIOR TO A DUI CONVICTION. THIS POST DOES NOT APPLY TO COMMERCIAL DRIVING PRIVILEGES FOLLOWING A DUI ARREST.

In most cases, the DDS Form 1205 will serve as your drivers license until the hearing upon the administrative license suspension action. You will not be able to get your Georgia drivers license back after a DUI arrest, if you were issued a DDS Form 1205. I strongly discourage anyone from attempting to re-obtain an actual drivers license after being arrested for a DUI when they have been issued a DDS Form 1205. Doing so, can lead to even greater criminal charges.

• If you did not have a Georgia drivers license at the time of your DUI arrest, the State of Georgia cannot suspend your out-of-state drivers license. However, your ability to obtain the re-issuance of your out-of-state drivers license will be contingent upon the questions that the out-of-state licensing authority asks you.

• If the arresting officer did not issue you a DDS Form 1205 and you do not have any other pending suspension or revocation, you can lawfully obtain the re-issuance of your Georgia drivers license by showing the identification listed below.

• If the arresting officer took your Georgia drivers license, served you with a DDS Form 1205, and you won the administrative license suspension OR entered into an agreement for the entry of a plea to a charge in exchange for a withdrawal of the administrative license suspension action, you may have your license reissued.

WHAT DO I NEED TO ACTUALLY GET MY LICENSE BACK FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DRIVER SERVICES IN GEORGIA?

Once you have figured out whether you are actually able to have your Georgia drivers license reissued following a DUI arrest, you need to know what actual steps to take in order to obtain your license.

Really, there are 3 simple things that I advise most client to do in order to obtain the re-issuance of their Georgia drivers license following a DUI but prior to a conviction:

1. Locate the closest Department of Driver Services (DDS) location. To find the DDS location closest to you, click here.
2. If administrative license suspension action was rescinded or withdrawn, take a copy of the order issued by the Office of State Administrative Hearings with you.
3. Carry the required funds and identification with you. The required identification is listed below.

You may replace a lost or stolen license or ID card, or permit at any Customer Service Center for $5.00. To obtain a replacement, you must bring either:

• One ORIGINAL OR CERTIFIED DOCUMENT from Category A in the name as it appears on your license.NO COPIES OR FAXES.

OR

• Two documents from Category B in the name as it appears on your driver’s license.All documents must be in English. 

Category A – One document is required from this category.

• U.S. Passport or Passport Card that has been expired for less than 10 years.
• Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the customer’s state of birth (hospital certificates are not acceptable)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS 545)
• Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (form I-551)
• Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Form I-766 or Form I-688B
• Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid unexpired U.S. visa affixed accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant’s most recent admittance into the United States
• Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
• Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)

Category B – Two documents are required from this category.

• Original or certified copy of Marriage License. Please note: Georgia law prohibits state agencies from accepting same sex marriage licenses for any purpose.
• Original Social Security Card
• Previous Year Income Tax Return
• Current Auto, Home, Life or Health Insurance Policy (Cards Not Accepted)
• Current Automobile Registration Receipt
• Voter Registration Card
• Valid or expired Military Identification Card  and/or Military Orders

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF A GEORGIA DUI YOUR ARREST UPON YOUR GEORGIA DRIVERS LICENSE OR YOUR OUT-OF-STATE DRIVERS LICENSE, CONTACT THE SESSIONS LAW FIRM AT (470) 225-7710.

Ben Sessions of The Sessions Law Firm maintains his office at 1447 Peachtree Street Northeast, #530, Atlanta, GA 30305. Ben Sessions of The Sessions Law Firm is 1 of only 5 attorney in Georgia to be Board Certified in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense.

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