Chatham County DDS ALS Hearing Guide
How to appeal your Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: April 1, 2026
10-Day Deadline
You have exactly 10 business days from your arrest to appeal your Administrative License Suspension (ALS). Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Appeal in Time
- * Hearing scheduled with OSAH
- * Chance to keep your license
- * May get limited permit faster
If You Miss the Deadline
- * Automatic 1-year suspension (refusal)
- * No hearing, no appeal
- * Starts on 46th day after arrest
How to Appeal Your ALS
In Georgia, you appeal your Administrative License Suspension through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and hearings are conducted by the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH). You must request the hearing within 10 business days per O.C.G.A. 40-5-67.1.
File Through Attorney
Why: Must be filed properly with DDS
Deadline: Within 10 business days of arrest
Handles both ALS appeal and criminal case
File Pro Se (Self)
Where: Georgia DDS online or by mail
What to File: DS-1205 form + $150 fee
Cost: $150 filing fee
Not recommended - legal complexity
What the Hearing Officer Will Consider
Grounds for Appeal:
- * Officer lacked reasonable grounds for arrest
- * Improper administration of chemical test
- * Officer failed to read implied consent notice
- * Testing equipment not properly calibrated
Documents to Gather:
- * Citation and ticket copies
- * DDS Form 1205 (if received)
- * Any police reports available
- * Witness information
Georgia ALS Suspension Periods
Failed Chemical Test (0.08+ BAC)
- 1st:1-year suspension (eligible for ignition interlock permit)
- 2nd:3-year suspension (within 5 years)
- 3rd+:5-year suspension (habitual violator)
Refused Chemical Test
- 1st:1-year hard suspension (limited permit after 30 days)
- 2nd:3-year hard suspension (within 5 years)
- 3rd+:5-year hard suspension (habitual violator)
Important: 5-Year Lookback for ALS
Georgia looks back 5 years for prior ALS suspensions to determine penalty severity. Criminal DUI convictions have a 10-year lookback.
What to Expect at the Hearing
ALS hearings are conducted by OSAH
The Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) conducts ALS hearings. These are separate from criminal court proceedings and focus solely on whether your license should be suspended.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney, administrative law judge, arresting officer (sometimes)
What They Review
Reasonable grounds for arrest, proper implied consent reading, test procedures
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam 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 challenge stop legality
- Knows how to challenge test procedures
- Can negotiate limited permit faster
- Handles both ALS appeal and criminal case
Without an Attorney
- State has experience against you
- May not know proper legal arguments
- Harder to get limited permit
- Lower success rate statistically
If You Lose Your Appeal
Losing the ALS appeal isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:
Ignition Interlock Permit
Drive with device installed
Limited Permit
Work, school, medical, treatment
Georgia DDS Savannah Office
For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or questions about your driving record:
FAQ
Related Guides
Chatham County DUI License Suspension & ALR Hearing
A DUI arrest in Chatham County, Georgia, triggers two separate legal processes: a criminal case in court and an administrative action against your driver's license by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). This guide focuses on the administrative side – specifically, how to fight to keep your driving privileges after a DUI arrest. It's critical to understand that these are separate processes. Even if you are found not guilty in criminal court, your license can still be suspended by the DDS.
CRITICAL DEADLINE: Request Hearing Within 30 Days
Following a DUI arrest, if a driver refuses the state-administered chemical test or blows over the legal limit (0.08), the arresting officer seizes the physical license and issues a yellow copy of the DDS 1205 Form. This form serves as a temporary driving permit for 45 days. The most important thing you need to know is that you have a very limited time to act. You must request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing within 30 calendar days of your arrest to challenge the suspension. This is a hard deadline.
To request a hearing, you must mail a request with a $150.00 filing fee to:
Georgia Dept of Driver Services P.O. Box 80447 Conyers, GA 30013
The request must be postmarked within 30 calendar days of your arrest.
What happens if you miss the deadline? If you fail to request an ALS hearing within 30 days, your license will be automatically suspended. There is no recourse.
Automatic License Suspension
The Georgia DDS operates on a "guilty until proven innocent" basis regarding your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
If You Took the Breath/Blood Test and Failed
If you submitted to a breath or blood test and your blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.08 or higher, your license will be suspended. The DDS 1205 form serves as a temporary driving permit for 45 days. After that, your license is legally suspended unless you request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing.
If You Refused Testing
Refusing to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test carries even harsher penalties under Georgia's implied consent laws. By driving on Georgia roads, you have implicitly consented to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal results in a longer license suspension than failing the test.
The ALR/Administrative Hearing
An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing, also known as an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing, is a legal proceeding separate from your criminal DUI case. It's held to determine whether the DDS is justified in suspending your driver's license.
What It Is
The ALR hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge, not a criminal court judge. The burden of proof is lower than in a criminal trial. The DDS only needs to show that it's more likely than not that you were driving under the influence.
How to Prepare
Preparing for an ALR hearing involves gathering evidence, understanding the law, and presenting your case effectively. Consider these steps:
- Gather evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, videos, or photos.
- Consider hiring a DUI attorney: A DUI attorney experienced in Chatham County can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and represent you at the hearing.
- Understand what you can challenge: You can challenge the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of the breathalyzer test, and whether the officer had probable cause to arrest you.
Possible Outcomes
The administrative law judge will make a decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. Possible outcomes include:
- Suspension upheld: The judge agrees with the DDS and your license remains suspended.
- Suspension overturned: The judge rules in your favor and your license is reinstated.
- Restricted/hardship license granted: The judge may grant you a limited driving permit, allowing you to drive for specific purposes, such as work or school.
Hardship/Restricted License in Georgia
Even if your license is suspended, you may be eligible for a limited driving permit, also known as a hardship license, in Georgia.
- Eligibility requirements: You must meet certain requirements, such as completing DUI school and installing an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle.
- What you can drive for: A limited driving permit typically allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered obligations.
- Costs and application process: The cost of a limited driving permit varies, and the application process involves submitting documentation to the DDS.
- IID requirement: In many cases, you will be required to install an IID on your vehicle as a condition of obtaining a limited driving permit.
Getting Your License Back
Once your suspension period is over, you will need to take steps to reinstate your license.
After Criminal Case Concludes
- Reinstatement requirements: You will need to pay a reinstatement fee to the DDS.
- Fees: Reinstatement fees vary depending on the length of the suspension and the number of prior offenses.
- SR-22 insurance requirement: You may be required to obtain SR-22 insurance, which is a certificate of financial responsibility.
- Classes/programs that must be completed: You may be required to complete DUI school or other court-ordered programs.
Chatham County DDS Offices
For in-person assistance with license reinstatement or other DDS matters, you can visit the Savannah DDS location. Be aware that the center is closed on Mondays.
Location: 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite B, Savannah, GA 31406.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday (7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.), Saturday (7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.).
Special Programs
- Ignition interlock device program: An IID is a device installed on your vehicle that requires you to blow into it before starting the engine. If the device detects alcohol, the car will not start.
- Occupational license: This type of license allows you to drive for work-related purposes, even if your license is suspended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to request an ALR hearing in Chatham County after a DUI arrest? A: You have only 30 calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing.
Q: Where in Chatham County can I reinstate my driver's license? A: You can reinstate your license at the DDS office located at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite B, Savannah, GA 31406. Note that the center is closed on Mondays.
Q: What happens if I am required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Chatham County? A: You will need to contact a certified IID provider to schedule the installation and maintenance of the device. You are responsible for all costs associated with the IID.
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Last updated: April 1, 2026
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