You only have 30 days to fight your license suspension. Here’s what happens next.
A DUI arrest is overwhelming. Your car is towed, you’re fingerprinted, and you’re left wondering what comes next. One of the first — and most urgent — questions we hear is:
“Am I going to lose my license?”
The answer? It depends. But in Georgia, the clock is ticking. If you’ve been arrested for DUI, you have just 30 days to act — or your license could be suspended before your first court date.
At EHG Law Firm, we help drivers across Metro Atlanta protect their right to drive and fight back against DUI charges.
Georgia Has Two Paths to Suspension
Here’s what most people don’t realize: when you’re arrested for DUI, you’re facing two separate cases — and either one can take your license.
1. The Administrative Suspension (ALS)
This is a civil process handled by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — not the criminal court.
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If you refused a breath or blood test, or
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If you blew over the legal limit,
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The officer likely submitted a DDS Form 1205, which starts the ALS process.
You only have 30 days from your arrest to file a request for a hearing or an ignition interlock permit.
If you don’t? Your license will be automatically suspended for up to 12 months.
We represent clients at ALS hearings and, in many cases, negotiate withdrawals of the suspension or help secure a limited driving permit.
2. The Criminal DUI Case
If you’re convicted of DUI in court, the judge is required to report it to DDS — which will then suspend your license again based on the conviction.
For example:
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First DUI conviction: 120 day suspension (limited permit usually available during this period)
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Second DUI within 5 years: 120 hard suspension (limited permit may be available after hard suspension period)
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Third DUI: Habitual violator status and 5-year revocation
Even if you avoided ALS suspension, a courtroom conviction can still take away your license.
A Real Story: DUI Dismissed, License Saved
A client came to us after being arrested in Cobb County for DUI Less Safe. He refused the breath test, triggering the ALS process. He had just accepted a new job that required daily driving.
We immediately requested the ALS hearing and negotiated a withdrawal of the license suspension.
Meanwhile, we challenged the DUI charge in court and got it dismissed based upon our analysis of the DUI investigation.
No conviction. No suspension. No interruption to his new job.
What If You Missed the 30-Day Deadline?
You may still have options — but they’re narrower.
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If the 30-day period just passed, we may be able to file a late appeal with supporting cause if you did not receive the 1205 form at the time of your arrest.
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If you submitted to the officer’s breath test you may be eligible to reinstate after 30 days.
Don’t assume it’s too late until you speak to us.
Local Courts We Appear In:
We represent DUI clients across Metro Atlanta, including:
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Atlanta Municipal Court
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Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett County State and Superior Courts
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City courts in Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, Chamblee, College Park, Alpharetta, Roswell, Smyrna, Brookhaven and more
We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the process. And we use that insight to protect your record and your license.
What to Do Right Now
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📅 Check the date of your arrest
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📨 See if you received a Form 1205
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📞 Call us today — even if you’re not sure
We’ve helped hundreds of people just like you avoid license suspensions and fight DUI charges strategically. You don’t have to go through this alone.