Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-2-.02 - Alternative Means of Renewal

(1) The Commissioner may authorize, consistent with Georgia law and with these regulations, renewal of a driver's license or identification card by the following means:

(a) Personal appearance;

(b) Renewal by mail;

(c) Renewal by telephone; and/or

(d) Renewal via electronic means.

(2) Except as otherwise authorized by the Commissioner, licenses, permits and identification cards must be renewed by personal appearance at a Department of Driver Services facility before a driver's license examiner of the Department.

(3) The Commissioner is authorized to waive the requirement of a personal appearance under the following circumstances:

(a) All such waivers shall be consistent with public safety considerations;

(b) All such waivers shall be designed so as to promote efficiency of service to the holders of licenses, permits and identification cards;

(c) No person may be granted a waiver from renewal by personal appearance if that person's license or identification card is currently revoked, suspended, or cancelled. If a license or identification card is revoked, suspended, or cancelled after a waiver has been granted, the waiver shall be deemed to be withdrawn without the necessity of further action by the Department, and the person shall be required to appear in person to reinstate the license or identification card prior to renewal.

(d) Persons granted a waiver from the requirement of a personal appearance for the renewal of a driver's license shall certify that their vision and physical condition have not significantly changed since the last personal appearance before the Department, and that the person remains mentally and physically capable of the safe operation of a motor vehicle of the class for which the license is being renewed.

(e) Persons age sixty-four (64) or older granted a waiver from the requirement of personal appearance must submit proof that they have undergone an examination, within twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the application for the license, that demonstrates that they have met the minimum vision standards established by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-5-.08. Such examination must have been conducted by a physician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist, licensed by the State of Georgia.

(f) A person granted a waiver will not be required to surrender the driver's license or identification card being renewed if the waiver is exercised; however, the Department will advise the person of reasons why the license or identification card should be destroyed by the person.

(g) No person will be granted a waiver unless the person's photograph and signature are on file via digital image.

(h) No temporary license, permit or special identification card issued pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 40-5-21.1 shall be issued via any means other than in person.

(i) In order to be eligible for renewal of a license, permit or identification card via alternative means, a customer must have complied with the provisions of Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-2-.01(3) on or after July 1, 2012.

(j) Each customer must conduct at least one (1) in-person transaction every sixteen (16) years.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-2-.02

O.C.G.A. §§ 40-5-21.1, 40-5-32, 40-5-100, 40-5-172.

Original Rule entitled "Renewal of License and Identification Card: Alternative Means of Renewal" adopted. F. Sept. 10, 2002; eff. Sept. 30, 2002. Amended: F. Dec. 14, 2005; eff. Jan. 3, 2006. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Mar. 22, 2007; eff. Apr. 11, 2007. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Mar. 30, 2012; eff. Apr. 19, 2012. Amended: F. Aug. 12, 2020; eff. Sept. 1, 2020.