Georgia Hardship License Guide

Georgia calls it a Limited Driving Permit. You can apply at the DDS after 30 days of suspension for most causes, including DUI, uninsured driving, unpaid fines, and points accumulation. The permit allows work, school, medical, and grocery trips — typically Monday through Saturday, 6 AM to 10 PM.

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Non-Standard Auto · SR-22 · Senior · Teen Drivers

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Updated July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Georgia

Georgia operates a tort-based liability system and requires proof of financial responsibility. After a suspension, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) issues Limited Driving Permits for work, school, medical, and grocery trips. Most causes qualify — DUI, uninsured driving, unpaid fines, points accumulation — but you must wait 30 days from the suspension start date before applying.

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25/50/25
Liability Insurance
Georgia requires $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. If you were suspended for driving uninsured, you need SR-22 filing on top of liability coverage — most carriers in Georgia charge $15–$25 per six-month term to file SR-22. The Georgia DDS revokes the Limited Driving Permit immediately if SR-22 coverage lapses for any reason, even one day.
Matches state minimum
SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a filing, not a policy. Your carrier sends proof of continuous liability coverage to the Georgia DDS electronically. After a DUI in Georgia, SR-22 filing lasts 3 years from the conviction date. After an uninsured driving conviction, SR-22 filing typically lasts 3 years as well. If you don't own a vehicle, request non-owner SR-22 — it proves coverage when you drive someone else's car or a rental, and it satisfies Georgia's filing requirement for Limited Driving Permit eligibility.
Matches state minimum
Non-Owner SR-22
Non-owner liability with SR-22 filing costs $30–$60/month in Georgia. It covers you when driving a borrowed or rental vehicle, and it satisfies the Georgia DDS requirement for a Limited Driving Permit even if you don't own a car. If you own a vehicle registered in your name, the DDS requires standard SR-22 on that vehicle — non-owner SR-22 does not satisfy the requirement if you have a registered vehicle.
Court-ordered
Ignition Interlock Device
Georgia courts order ignition interlock for DUI convictions — typically 12 months for a first offense, longer for subsequent offenses. The device costs $75–$125 to install and $75–$100/month to lease and service. The Georgia DDS Limited Driving Permit allows you to drive with the device installed during the restriction period. If the court orders ignition interlock, you cannot get a Limited Driving Permit without proof of installation — the DDS checks compliance electronically.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Georgia

Georgia Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$25,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$50,000
Property Damage$25,000

License Reinstatement Fee$200

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Georgia quote.

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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Georgia?

Georgia premiums after a suspension spike because carriers classify you as high-risk. DUI convictions and uninsured driving citations increase rates by 60–120% depending on the carrier and your prior history.

What Affects Your Rate

  • DUI conviction in Georgia increases premiums by 80–120% for 3 years while SR-22 is active
  • Uninsured driving citation typically raises rates by 60–90% during the SR-22 filing period
  • Atlanta metro ZIP codes (30303, 30318, 30314) see higher rates due to congestion and uninsured driver frequency
  • Credit-based insurance score accounts for 20–40% of premium in Georgia — carriers apply it unless you opt out under Georgia law
  • Drivers under 25 with a Limited Driving Permit pay 30–50% more than drivers over 25 with identical violations
  • Switching carriers after the SR-22 filing period ends can reduce rates by 25–35% if your driving record is clean for 3 years
Minimum Coverage with SR-22
$140–$220/mo
Meets Georgia's 25/50/25 liability minimum and includes SR-22 filing. This tier covers legal requirements for the Limited Driving Permit but leaves you exposed if you cause an accident that exceeds $25,000 per person.
Standard Coverage with SR-22
$200–$320/mo
Includes 50/100/50 liability and uninsured motorist coverage. Standard coverage doubles the bodily injury protection and adds a layer for hit-and-run or uninsured drivers — common in metro Atlanta.
Full Coverage with SR-22
$280–$450/mo
Adds comprehensive and collision to protect your vehicle. Full coverage makes sense if you financed the car or if repair costs would strain your budget. Georgia does not require full coverage for the Limited Driving Permit unless a lender mandates it.

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