Cobb County DDS ALS Hearing Guide
How to appeal your Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: January 6, 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
- * No hearing, no appeal
- * Starts on 46th day after arrest
How to Appeal Your ALS
In Georgia, you appeal your Administrative License Suspension to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The hearing is conducted by the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH), not the criminal court.
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: Request for ALS Hearing
Cost: $150 filing fee
Not recommended - legal complexity
What OSAH Will Consider
Grounds for Appeal:
- * Officer lacked reasonable suspicion for stop
- * Improper administration of chemical test
- * Officer failed to read implied consent notice
- * Testing equipment not properly calibrated
Documents to Gather:
- * DDS Form 1205 (given at arrest)
- * Citation and ticket copies
- * Any police reports available
- * Witness information
Georgia ALS Suspension Periods
Failed Chemical Test (0.08+ BAC)
- 1st:1-year suspension (limited permit eligible immediately with IID)
- 2nd:3-year suspension (limited permit after 120 days with IID)
- 3rd+:5-year suspension (no limited permit for 2 years)
Refused Chemical Test
- 1st:1-year suspension (limited permit after 30 days with IID)
- 2nd:3-year suspension (limited permit after 18 months)
- 3rd+:5-year suspension (no limited permit)
Important: 10-Year Lookback
Georgia looks back 10 years for prior DUI offenses. A second offense within 10 years carries significantly harsher penalties under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391.
What to Expect at the Hearing
ALS appeals are heard by OSAH
The Office of State Administrative Hearings conducts ALS hearings, not the criminal court. This is an administrative proceeding separate from your criminal DUI case.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney, OSAH judge, possibly arresting officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper test procedures, implied consent reading
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam showing procedural errors
- Intoxilyzer 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 get 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
Drive with IID installed
Limited Permit
Work, school, medical, treatment
Georgia DDS Customer Service Center
For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or questions about your driving record:
FAQ
Related Guides
The judicial heart of Cobb County is located in downtown Marietta, centered around the historic Marietta Square. If you've been arrested for DUI in Cobb County, Georgia, your driver's license is likely at risk of suspension. You have a limited time to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing to challenge this suspension.
The 15-Day Deadline is Critical
In Georgia, you only have 15 calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an ALS hearing. Missing this deadline results in automatic suspension of your driving privileges. Act quickly!
How to Request an ALS Hearing in Cobb County
While specific online and phone options aren't detailed, you can request an ALS hearing by contacting the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). Requesting by mail is also an option, providing a paper trail. It is crucial to confirm receipt of your request by the DDS.
Hearing Location
Hearings are typically held at DDS locations in the region. Consult with your attorney to confirm the exact location for your hearing, as locations can vary.
Potential Issues Challenged at the ALS Hearing
An experienced DUI attorney can assess your case and challenge the following:
- Legality of the initial traffic stop: Did the officer have reasonable suspicion to pull you over?
- Administration of Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs): Were the FSTs conducted properly, and were you properly instructed?
- Admissibility of chemical test results: Were the breathalyzer or blood test machines properly calibrated, and were proper procedures followed during the test?
Cobb County State Court Information
If your ALS hearing is unsuccessful and your license is suspended, you may be eligible for a limited driving permit or hardship license. Further, keep in mind that your criminal case will be heard at the:
State Court of Cobb County (Divisions 1 & 2)
Physical Address: 12 East Park Square, Marietta, GA 30090
Clerk Phone: 770-528-1700
Sources
Last updated: January 6, 2026
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