Georgia Hardship License After DUI
Georgia requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
Get My Hardship-License SR-22 QuoteGeorgia at a Glance
25/50/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Optional
PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law
$200
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Georgia
Georgia operates under a traditional tort liability system and requires all drivers to maintain proof of insurance with minimum limits of 25/50/25. After a DUI conviction, Georgia law mandates SR-22 certificate filing for 3 years, ignition interlock device installation for the full restricted driving period, and completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program before any hardship application is reviewed.
Liability Insurance
SR-22 Insurance
Non-Owner SR-22
Ignition Interlock Coverage
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
What Drivers Pay in Georgia
$316–$423/mo
Typical monthly rate in Georgia, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Blood alcohol content at arrest — BAC .15 or higher moves you into aggravated DUI classification in Georgia, which extends the SR-22 filing period and eliminates hardship eligibility for 12 months instead of 120 days.
- County of conviction — Atlanta metro counties process hardship applications through administrative hearings at the Department of Driver Services, while rural counties often require Superior Court petitions with higher legal costs.
- Prior violations in the 5-year lookback period — a second DUI within 5 years disqualifies you from Limited Driving Permit eligibility entirely and requires full license reinstatement after the suspension period ends.
- Vehicle type and value — ignition interlock installation costs are higher for European and luxury vehicles due to wiring complexity, and some IID providers refuse to service certain models.
Drive Legally on Your Restricted License
Get My Hardship-License SR-22 QuoteIf your license is suspended
Limited Driving Permit
application fee $32.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state acts on a lapse after 10 days.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after a DUI can I apply for a hardship license in Georgia?
Georgia requires a 120-day wait period after a first-offense DUI conviction before you can apply for a Limited Driving Permit. For a second DUI within 5 years, you are ineligible for any hardship privileges and must serve the full suspension. The 120-day period begins on your conviction date, not your arrest date or license surrender date.
What does a Georgia Limited Driving Permit allow you to do?
Georgia's Limited Driving Permit allows driving for work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, and childcare during specific approved hours. You must submit a detailed schedule with employer verification, and the permit lists exact authorized routes and time windows — any deviation triggers revocation. Social, recreational, and errand driving are prohibited even during approved hours.
Coverage Types
SR-22 Insurance
State-mandated proof of insurance filing required for 3 years after any DUI conviction in Georgia. Your insurer submits electronic certification to the Department of Driver Services — any lapse triggers automatic suspension.
Non-Owner SR-22
Liability-only policy that satisfies Georgia's SR-22 requirement without insuring a specific vehicle. Covers you when driving borrowed or rental cars.
Ignition Interlock Insurance
Coverage for vehicles equipped with court-ordered breath-test ignition interlock devices. Some carriers refuse IID-equipped vehicles or add surcharges.
Liability Insurance
Minimum required coverage in Georgia: 25/50/25. Covers injury and property damage you cause to others, but not your own vehicle or medical bills.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Georgia requires carriers to offer it, and you must reject it in writing.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
High-risk insurance market for drivers with DUI convictions, multiple violations, or lapses. Premiums are higher but acceptance rates are better than standard carriers.