License Renewal for Seniors in Georgia: Key Steps and Tips
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) now offers eligible residents age 64 and older the ability to renew their non-commercial driver’s license online. However, since August 2020, two other options are also available: mail-in and fax. This new online service now gives seniors another avenue when doing licensing business.
DDS remains committed to expedient, safe and consumer-friendly alternatives within the law. Most veteran drivers are digitally savvy and will welcome having this online renewal option readily available, said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.
Georgia Law O.C.G.A. § 40-5-33(4)(c)(1) mandates that customers who are 64 years of age and older must have a vision exam prior to receiving or renewing a driver’s license. A rule change approved shortly after the Pandemic allows these customers to remotely submit their vision exam results that have been completed by a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor. DDS still offers the eye exam in all Customer Service Centers, but for those who decline to come into a center, they may upload one of the following forms to their Online Services account to initiate the renewal process:
- Vision Report Form from DDS (DDS-MR-274) found on the DDS website at this linkhttps://dds.georgia.gov/drivers-64-and-over.
- Vision exam dated within two years. The exam needs to contain one of the following three areas: Visual Acuity Degrees, Horizontal Perception Degrees or Monocular Field of Vision in order to be accepted.
- Customers, who applied for online, will receive an approval through email. Those whose application is approved for online renewal can print a paper copy of the temporary license. The permanent card is expected to arrive within 30 days.
