A DUI arrest can put your license at risk right away. The license process is separate from your court case. If you miss a deadline, you can lose your right to drive.
Act fast: Deadlines and basic choices
You generally have a limited window to preserve driving privileges. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1, you can ask for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing or choose the ignition interlock option to get a limited permit.
What you should do now
Take these steps right away to protect your options and show you followed the rules. Before the list below, use this checklist to help avoid an automatic suspension:
- File an ALS appeal: Ask DDS for a hearing within the deadline and include the filing fee.
- Install an IID for a limited permit: If you qualify, install an ignition interlock device and apply for an Ignition Interlock Limited Permit before the deadline.
- Keep all paperwork: Save your DDS 1205 form, receipts, installation records and program certificates.
- Begin required programs: Sign up for a DDS-approved DUI risk reduction program if you are required to do so.
These steps can help protect your license while your court case moves forward.
What to expect next
The ALS hearing focuses narrowly on procedure: whether the officer had reasonable grounds, whether implied-consent warnings were given and whether the test was properly offered. Because the ALS is administrative, prevailing there can stop an immediate suspension even if the criminal case continues.
Legal help can change outcomes
You may file the ALS appeal yourself but an attorney familiar with Georgia ALS practice can help ensure timely filing and challenge procedural defects. Consulting an attorney early could preserve driving privileges and clarify reinstatement steps without offering legal advice.