Burke County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: September 6, 2026
30-Day Deadline
You have exactly 30 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Request in Time
- • Temporary permit until hearing
- • Chance to keep your license
- • Gather evidence for defense
If You Miss the Deadline
- • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
- • No hearing, no appeal
- • Starts after waiting period
How to Request Your Hearing
Online Request
Fee: Typically $50-$125
Available: 24/7
Instant confirmation
Phone Request
Fee: Same as online
Hours: Business hours only
Expect hold times
Information You'll Need
From Your Notice:
- • Driver License Number
- • Date of Arrest
- • Arresting Agency
- • Arresting Officer Name
Personal Information:
- • Full Legal Name
- • Current Address
- • Date of Birth
- • Phone Number & Email
After You Request
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually phone or video
Decision
Same dayWin: keep license. Lose: suspension starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or video
Decision
Same day
Win or suspension
What to Expect at the Hearing
Most hearings are by phone or video
You usually don't need to travel. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney (optional), state attorney, hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, test validity
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
- Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
- Witness statements about your sobriety
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
Should You Hire an Attorney?
With an Attorney
- Can subpoena arresting officer
- Knows how to challenge evidence
- Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
- Higher success rate at hearings
Without an Attorney
- State has experienced attorney present
- May not know proper objections
- Can't effectively cross-examine officers
- Lower win rate statistically
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:
Ignition Interlock
Drive with device installed
Occupational License
Limited driving for work/essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
A BAC over 0.08, or a refusal to test, triggers confiscation of your physical license and a DDS Form 1205 — a temporary 45-day permit that also serves as notice of an incoming Administrative License Suspension.
The 30-Day Deadline
You get 30 calendar days from the arrest to either request a formal ALS hearing or elect to install an Ignition Interlock Device instead. Miss that window and the suspension becomes automatic on day 46 — entirely independent of the criminal case, meaning you can win at trial in Judge Cox's courtroom and still lose your license because of a missed administrative deadline.
Where to File
Burke County technically has a DDS Customer Service Center at 801 N. Liberty St. in Waynesboro, but rural hours are limited enough that residents often end up using the Augusta hub instead. Whichever office you use, avoid Tuesdays — the DDS itself flags that as the highest-volume day statewide.
The Real Trap
Once your license is suspended, driving yourself to Waynesboro or Augusta to sort it out is itself illegal, so line up a ride before you need one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to appeal my license suspension? 30 calendar days from the arrest. Miss it and the suspension becomes automatic on day 46, regardless of the criminal case's outcome.
Is there a DDS office in Burke County? Technically yes, at 801 N. Liberty St. in Waynesboro, but limited rural hours mean many residents end up using the Augusta DDS hub instead.
Can winning my criminal case undo the license suspension? No. The two are entirely separate — a not-guilty verdict doesn't undo a missed ALS deadline.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
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