What happens to your license after a DUI arrest in Georgia?

You have 30 days from the arrest to act on your license. Count from the date on the form the officer gave you, and if you are not sure of the date, treat it as today. Two cases start at once, one in court and one about your license, and the license case is the one people miss.

What is the paper the officer gave you?

If you were arrested for DUI, the officer likely took your license and gave you a form called a DDS 1205. That form can act as a temporary permit for a short time. It also starts the clock on your license. Keep that form somewhere safe, because a hearing request needs a copy of it.

How long do you have?

Georgia gives you 30 days, and you have two choices in that time. You can ask for a hearing to challenge the suspension. Or, if you qualify, you can have an ignition interlock device fitted to your car and apply for a limited permit. You pick one, not both. If you do neither, the suspension takes effect.

Which choice is right?

It depends on the facts of your arrest, your driving record, and how much you need to drive for work or family. A hearing can sometimes keep you driving while it is pending. If you choose the interlock instead, you give up the hearing, but you can keep driving with the device fitted. This is the decision to get advice on first, because it has to be made quickly.

Ask about the cost of each route too. An interlock device has installation and monthly fees, and a hearing request has a filing fee of its own.

What about the court case?

That moves more slowly and is handled on its own. The court date is on your citation or bond paperwork, and missing it creates new problems, so put it in your calendar today. Keep every paper you were given. Write down what you remember about the stop while it is fresh, and do not discuss the details on social media.