Losing your driver’s license in Georgia can affect much more than your ability to drive. A license suspension can make it difficult to get to work, attend school, keep medical appointments, complete court requirements, or take care of family members.
Fortunately, some drivers with a suspended Georgia driver’s license may qualify for a Georgia limited driving permit.
Sometimes called a Georgia hardship license, restricted driver’s license, or work permit, a limited driving permit allows an eligible driver to operate a vehicle for specific approved purposes while the driver’s regular license remains suspended.
However, a limited permit is not available for every type of license suspension, and receiving one does not restore full driving privileges.
Georgia traffic lawyer Scott Fortas can review the reason for your suspension, determine whether a limited driving permit may be available, address court requirements when necessary, and help you take the appropriate steps with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).
Key Takeaways About Georgia Limited Driving Permits
- A Georgia limited driving permit allows certain suspended drivers to drive for approved purposes.
- Permitted driving may include going to work, school, medical appointments, court, probation, treatment programs, and other authorized destinations.
- Not every Georgia driver’s license suspension qualifies for a limited permit.
- The permit may restrict where, when, how, and in which vehicle you can drive.
- Drivers must follow every restriction printed on the permit.
- Some DUI-related suspensions have special rules, including possible ignition interlock requirements.
- Certain drivers under age 21 have much more limited eligibility.
- The Georgia DDS ultimately determines whether a permit will be issued.
What Is a Georgia Limited Driving Permit?
A Georgia limited driving permit provides restricted driving privileges to certain people whose regular driver’s licenses have been suspended.
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-64, an eligible applicant may receive a permit when being unable to drive would create an “extreme hardship.” Georgia law generally defines this hardship in terms of being unable to obtain reasonable alternative transportation for essential activities such as employment, medical care, education, treatment, or court obligations.
This is important because a limited permit is not the same as having your driver’s license reinstated.
Your license remains suspended. The permit simply creates specific exceptions that allow you to drive under the conditions established by DDS.
For example, your Georgia limited driving permit might authorize you to drive between your home and workplace during certain hours but not permit you to drive to a restaurant, sporting event, shopping center, or another destination unrelated to an approved purpose.
Where Can You Drive With a Georgia Limited Permit?
Georgia law allows a limited driving permit to cover several important activities when the driver cannot reasonably obtain other transportation.
Depending upon the circumstances and the restrictions placed on the permit, approved driving may include travel for:
- Your place of employment or duties required as part of your job
- Scheduled medical treatment
- Obtaining prescription medication
- College or school
- Alcohol or drug treatment and approved support programs
- Court-ordered driver education or improvement programs
- Court appearances
- Reporting to probation or community supervision
- Performing required community service
- Transporting an unlicensed immediate family member to work, school, medical treatment, or to obtain prescriptions
- Certain activities ordered through an accountability court
DDS may impose additional restrictions involving the specific destinations, routes, travel times, and vehicles that the driver is permitted to use.
A limited permit therefore should not be viewed as permission to drive whenever necessary. You must comply with the exact restrictions appearing on the permit.
Who Is Eligible for a Georgia Limited Driving Permit?
Eligibility depends primarily upon why your driver’s license was suspended, your age, your driving record, and whether other suspensions or disqualifications exist.
Georgia law allows limited permits in several circumstances, including certain suspensions associated with:
- A first DUI-related license suspension in qualifying circumstances
- Administrative license suspensions in qualifying cases
- Accumulation of driver’s license points
- Certain controlled-substance-related suspensions
- Certain speeding suspensions involving drivers under 21
- Other specific suspensions identified by Georgia law
Eligibility can become substantially more complicated when a driver has more than one active suspension. In many situations, an otherwise qualifying suspension will not result in a usable permit if another suspension independently prevents the person from driving. O.C.G.A. § 40-5-64 specifically addresses circumstances involving multiple suspensions.
This is one reason it can be helpful to have an attorney review the driver’s entire record instead of looking only at the most recent ticket or case.
Georgia Limited Driving Permits After a DUI
One of the most common questions is:
Can I get a limited driving permit after a DUI in Georgia?
The answer may be yes, depending upon the driver’s age, prior DUI history, type of suspension, chemical-test circumstances, and other factors.
Georgia DDS states that a limited permit may potentially be available following a qualifying first DUI suspension for a driver age 21 or older. A first DUI suspension generally lasts 12 months, although qualifying drivers may be eligible for reinstatement after 120 days when the applicable requirements have been completed.
DUI cases can also involve an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) that is separate from the criminal DUI prosecution.
Georgia also has an Ignition Interlock Device Limited Permit, or IDLP, for certain qualifying DUI-related suspensions. This is different from a standard limited driving permit and requires compliance with specific ignition-interlock rules.
Because DUI-related license consequences can overlap, it is particularly important to determine exactly which suspension is affecting your license before deciding how to proceed.
Limited Permits for Drivers Under 21
Georgia imposes strict driver’s license penalties on drivers under age 21.
One particularly important situation involves speeding.
A person whose license is suspended under Georgia’s under-21 rules for speeding may potentially receive a limited permit when the driver is at least 18 years old and the conviction involved speeding 24 to 33 mph over the posted speed limit. The sentencing judge must determine that issuing the permit is reasonable.
That distinction is important.
A driver traveling 24 to 33 mph over the limit may have a possible limited-permit option, while a different speed or suspension basis can produce a very different result.
Georgia DDS also advises that drivers under 21 who receive certain DUI suspensions are not eligible for a limited driving permit.
How Do You Get a Limited Driving Permit in Georgia?
The exact procedure depends upon the type of suspension.
Generally, the first step is determining your current Georgia license status and identifying every suspension appearing on your record.
Georgia DDS recommends checking your license status through DDS Online Services. A driver can review reported convictions, points, suspensions, and applicable reinstatement information.
Depending upon your case, the process may include:
- Confirming the reason for the suspension.
Determine which conviction, administrative action, or other event caused DDS to suspend your license. - Determining whether the suspension qualifies.
Limited permits are authorized only in specific situations. - Obtaining required court documentation.
Some permits require documentation or authorization from the court. For example, DDS provides a specific court authorization form for qualifying under-21 speeding suspensions. - Providing required DDS documentation.
DUI-related cases may require court documents or particular DDS forms. Current DDS regulations state that certain DUI limited-permit applicants must provide DDS Form 1126 completed by the convicting court or a certified copy of the conviction unless it already appears on the driving record. - Applying through Georgia DDS.
DDS makes the final determination regarding permit eligibility.
The current DDS fee for a standard limited driving permit is $32, and the permit may be valid for up to one year depending upon the underlying suspension. DDS currently lists the renewal fee as $10.
What Happens If You Violate a Georgia Limited Driving Permit?
A Georgia restricted driving permit needs to be taken seriously.
If the permit states that you may drive to and from work, that does not mean you have unrestricted driving privileges before or after work.
Georgia law allows DDS to place restrictions on:
- Destinations
- Routes
- Times of travel
- Vehicles
- Other conditions DDS considers appropriate
Violating the conditions of a limited permit can result in serious consequences. Georgia law provides for revocation of the permit following certain violations, and operating a vehicle contrary to a condition on the permit can constitute a misdemeanor.
If you are uncertain whether a particular trip is allowed, review the restrictions before driving rather than assuming the trip qualifies.
How Georgia Traffic Lawyer Scott Fortas Can Help With a Limited Driving Permit
Determining whether you can obtain a Georgia limited driving permit can be more complicated than simply filling out a DDS application.
The reason for your suspension matters. Your age matters. Your driving history matters. An unresolved traffic case or additional license suspension may also affect whether DDS can issue a permit.
Georgia traffic lawyer Scott Fortas can review the circumstances surrounding your suspension and help determine which options may be available.
Depending upon your case, Scott Fortas may be able to:
- Review your Georgia driving history and suspension
- Determine whether your suspension may qualify for a limited permit
- Explain the restrictions that could apply
- Address the underlying traffic case when it has not yet been resolved
- Seek appropriate court authorization when required
- Help obtain or prepare necessary court documentation
- Explain DDS requirements and reinstatement options
- Identify additional suspensions that may prevent issuance of a permit
- Advise you about avoiding additional license consequences
Getting the underlying traffic charge handled correctly can also be important. In some cases, how a ticket or traffic offense is resolved can directly affect your driver’s license.
Do not assume that a suspended license automatically means you cannot drive at all—or that you automatically qualify for a hardship permit.
Contact Georgia traffic lawyer Scott Fortas to discuss your driver’s license suspension and whether a limited driving permit may be available in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Limited Driving Permits
Is a Georgia limited driving permit the same as a hardship license?
Generally, yes. “Hardship license” is a common term people use when referring to restricted driving privileges. Georgia law and DDS generally use the term limited driving permit.
Can I drive to work with a limited driving permit?
Employment is one of the primary purposes for which a Georgia limited driving permit may authorize driving. Your permit may specify when, where, and on which routes you may drive, so you must follow its exact restrictions.
Can I get a Georgia limited driving permit after a speeding ticket?
Possibly. Eligibility depends on why the speeding conviction suspended your license. An important example involves drivers who are at least 18 but under 21 whose licenses are suspended for speeding 24 to 33 mph above the posted limit. Court approval is required in that situation.
Can I get a limited permit after a first DUI in Georgia?
Some drivers age 21 or older may qualify for a limited permit following a first DUI-related suspension. Eligibility depends on the type of suspension, prior record, chemical-test circumstances, and whether additional suspensions exist.
Can I use a limited permit to drive anywhere?
No. A Georgia limited driving permit is not an unrestricted license. DDS may limit your driving to particular purposes, destinations, routes, hours, and vehicles.
Can I drive a commercial vehicle with a Georgia limited permit?
A standard Georgia limited driving permit does not authorize operation of a commercial motor vehicle. CDL suspensions and disqualifications are subject to separate state and federal requirements.
How much does a Georgia limited driving permit cost?
Georgia DDS currently lists the standard limited permit fee as $32. A standard limited permit can be issued for up to one year depending upon the suspension.
Do I need a lawyer to get a Georgia limited driving permit?
Georgia does not require every applicant to have an attorney. However, a traffic lawyer can be especially helpful when court authorization is necessary, several suspensions appear on your record, a DUI or serious traffic offense is involved, or you are trying to prevent a pending traffic case from creating additional driver’s license problems.
Talk to Georgia Traffic Lawyer Scott Fortas About Your Driving Privileges
A suspended license can interfere with your job, family responsibilities, education, and daily life. Depending upon the reason for the suspension, a Georgia limited driving permit may allow you to maintain essential driving privileges while your regular license is suspended.
Attorney Scott Fortas represents drivers facing traffic charges and driver’s license consequences throughout Georgia. If you are concerned about a suspension or need help determining whether you qualify for a limited driving permit, contact Georgia Traffic Lawyers to discuss your situation and the options available to you.
Every license suspension is different, and eligibility for a limited driving permit depends on the specific facts and applicable Georgia law. The Georgia Department of Driver Services makes the final determination regarding issuance of a permit.
