How to Protect Your Driving Privileges After a Suspension or DUI Arrest
Losing the ability to drive—even temporarily—can disrupt every part of your life. From getting to work and dropping off your kids to running errands or making medical appointments, not having a valid license limits your independence and creates real problems. That’s why driver’s license hearings in Georgia matter so much. These hearings often stand between you and getting back on the road legally.
Whether the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) suspended your license after a DUI arrest, or you’ve been denied a limited permit, the hearing process gives you a chance to make your case. However, the outcome depends heavily on preparation, deadlines, and having someone on your side who knows how the system works.
If your license was suspended in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Hinesville, Tybee Island, or surrounding areas, don’t wait to speak with a driver's license hearings attorney near you. The initial consultation is free and getting help early can make all the difference.
Types of Driver’s License Hearings in Georgia
Georgia residents may find themselves involved in one of several types of license-related hearings. Each has a different purpose, and understanding which applies to your situation helps determine your next steps.
Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearings
After a DUI arrest, Georgia law triggers an automatic license suspension. You have just 30 days to request an ALS hearing to challenge the suspension. Without this step, the suspension becomes automatic—even if you're never convicted of DUI in criminal court.
Hardship/Limited Permit Hearings
Some people may qualify for a limited driving permit, allowing them to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or treatment programs. These hearings determine whether you meet the requirements and what restrictions apply.
License Reinstatement Hearings
Once your suspension period ends, the DDS may still require a formal hearing to evaluate whether you’re eligible to get your license back. This can involve showing proof of completed programs, SR-22 insurance, and other documentation.
Appeals for License Denials
If DDS denies a reinstatement request or permit application, you can appeal the decision. This typically means requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge to reconsider the outcome.
The Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Process
After a DUI arrest in Georgia, the clock starts ticking fast. The officer may issue a DDS Form 1205, notifying you of the pending suspension. From that point, you have just 30 days to request a hearing through the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH).
Missing this deadline means the suspension will go into effect automatically—usually for one year, with no permit available. That kind of disruption can impact your job, your family, and your daily routine.
To request the hearing, you must submit a written appeal and pay a filing fee. You’ll also need to provide documentation like your citation, the officer’s report, and a copy of Form 1205. Timing and accuracy are everything.
Preparing for Your License Hearing
When you hire Attorney Stacey Goad, you will not even need to attend the license hearing.
Developing Defense Strategies
Your strategy might involve questioning the legality of the traffic stop, exposing testing flaws, or showing rehabilitation progress. Every case is different, and effective defenses depend on the facts—not assumptions.
Common Grounds for Challenging License Suspension
Several legal and procedural issues can lead to a successful challenge at a driver’s license hearing.
Improper Stop by Law Enforcement
If the officer pulled you over without a valid reason, any evidence collected afterward could be thrown out. This can form a strong basis for overturning a suspension.
Issues With Field Sobriety Testing
Field sobriety tests must be administered according to specific standards. Poor lighting, uneven surfaces, or improper instructions can affect results and credibility.
Problems With Breathalyzer or Blood Test Administration
Georgia law requires strict procedures when collecting and testing chemical samples. Contamination, equipment malfunctions, or untrained personnel can call test results into question.
Procedural Errors in Arrest or Notification
If the officer failed to read you your implied consent rights or mishandled the paperwork, those mistakes could invalidate the suspension process.
What to Expect During the Hearing
Hearing procedures vary by case type, but most follow a similar format.
Hearing Location and Format
Most driver’s license hearings in the Savannah area are held in a local courthouse even though OSAH is a state administrative agency. You’ll appear before an administrative law judge—not a criminal court judge.
The Role of the Administrative Law Judge
The judge reviews evidence, listens to both sides, and decides whether the suspension or denial should stand. They’re impartial and base their decision solely on the facts presented.
Presenting Evidence and Testimony
Both you and your attorney can present documents, call witnesses, and testify. The arresting officer may also testify, and the judge may ask questions.
Cross-Examination Opportunities
You’ll have the chance to question the officer about the stop, the arrest, and the testing process. This is where strong legal representation can help expose inconsistencies.
Potential Outcomes of License Hearings
Not every hearing ends the same way. Several outcomes are possible depending on the facts and the judge’s ruling.
Full Reinstatement
In some cases, the judge orders the license fully reinstated—particularly when the state fails to meet its burden or serious errors occurred during the arrest process.
Limited Driving Permits
The judge might allow a hardship license with restrictions. These permits typically limit driving to work, school, court, or treatment-related appointments.
Suspension Upheld
If the judge sides with the arresting officer or finds the suspension valid, the full suspension period will continue without modification.
Appeal Options
You may appeal the judge’s decision through Georgia’s superior court system. This involves a formal process, deadlines, and additional costs.
Consequences of Driving on a Suspended License
Driving without a valid license creates more problems than it solves.
Criminal Penalties
Georgia law treats driving on a suspended license as a misdemeanor, with possible jail time, fines, and additional penalties.
Additional License Suspension
Each offense adds more suspension time, pushing you further from full reinstatement.
Long-Term Consequences
A suspended license can affect your job, your ability to care for your family, and even your reputation in the community.
Contact an Experienced Driver’s License Hearing Attorney Today
If you’re dealing with driver’s license hearings in Georgia, don’t try to go it alone. The Atlantic Law Firm helps drivers in Savannah, Pooler, Hinesville, and surrounding areas fight for their driving privileges. The sooner you act, the better your chances of avoiding long-term consequences.
Contact The Atlantic Law Firm today for a free initial consultation. Get answers, get support, and take the first step toward getting back behind the wheel.