Gwinnett County DDS ALS Hearing Guide
How to appeal your Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest in Georgia.
Last verified: January 6, 2026
10-Day Deadline
You have exactly 10 business days from your arrest to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing. 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 DDS
- * 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 through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), not the court. You must request a hearing within 10 business days using Form DS-1205 and pay a $150 filing fee.
File Through Attorney
Why: Complex procedures and strict deadlines
Deadline: Within 10 business days of arrest
Handles both ALS appeal and criminal case
File Pro Se (Self)
Form: DS-1205 (30-Day Letter Response)
Fee: $150 filing fee
Submit: Online, mail, or in person to DDS
Not recommended - legal complexity
What DDS Will Consider
Grounds for Appeal:
- * Officer lacked reasonable suspicion for stop
- * Improper administration of chemical test
- * Officer failed to read implied consent properly
- * Testing equipment not properly calibrated
Documents to Gather:
- * DDS Form 1205 (30-Day Letter)
- * Citation and arrest paperwork
- * Any police reports available
- * Witness information
Georgia ALS Suspension Periods
Failed Chemical Test (0.08+ BAC)
- 1st:1-year suspension (limited permit after 30 days with IID)
- 2nd:3-year suspension (limited permit after 120 days)
- 3rd+:5-year revocation (no limited permit for 2 years)
Refused Chemical Test
- 1st:1-year hard suspension (no limited permit)
- 2nd:3-year hard suspension
- 3rd+:5-year revocation
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 DDS
Georgia ALS hearings are administrative proceedings conducted by the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH). This is separate from your criminal DUI case in court.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney, hearing officer, arresting officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper implied consent warning, 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 implied consent procedures
- Can negotiate limited permit faster
- Handles both ALS appeal and criminal case
Without an Attorney
- Arresting officer has experience testifying
- 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 device installed
Limited Permit
Work, school, medical, treatment
Georgia DDS Norcross Office
For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or questions about your driving record:
FAQ
Related Guides
The DS-1205 form is the most critical document in the early stages of a DUI case in Gwinnett County. Issued by the arresting officer, it simultaneously serves as a notice of suspension from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), a temporary 45-day driving permit, and the officer's sworn affidavit establishing grounds for the suspension.
Understanding the Dual Legal Process
A DUI arrest in Gwinnett County triggers two separate legal cases: a civil case concerning your driver's license handled by the DDS and a criminal case addressing fines, jail time, and other penalties managed by the Gwinnett County Solicitor General. Crucially, the civil case moves much faster, demanding action within 30 calendar days of your arrest.
The 30-Day Rule: Act Fast!
You have only 30 calendar days from the "Date of Service" on your DS-1205 form to protect your driving privileges. Missing this deadline results in automatic license suspension. You have two primary options:
- Option A: Request an Administrative Hearing. This challenges the suspension before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
- Option B: Apply for an Ignition Interlock Limited Driving Permit (IIDLP). This waives your right to a hearing but allows you to drive immediately with an installed ignition interlock device, if eligible.
Requesting an Administrative Hearing in Gwinnett County
To request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing and challenge your license suspension, you must submit form DDS-1206 and a $150.00 filing fee within 30 days of your arrest.
While the DDS technically allows submission "via postal service, visiting a Customer Service Center, or through Online Services," legal experts strongly recommend sending your request via Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested to ensure proof of timely submission. The DDS has recently introduced online submission portals, which generate immediate digital receipts and have become the preferred filing method.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 80447 Conyers, GA 30013
Courier/Physical Address: 2206 Eastview Parkway Conyers, GA 30013
Checks and money orders are accepted if mailing your request. If visiting a DDS center, only cash, card, or money orders are accepted.
Where Will My Hearing Be Held?
Unlike Superior and State Courts, the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) does not have a permanent courthouse in Gwinnett County. Hearings are often held at municipal buildings like the Duluth Public Safety Building. Check your Notice of Hearing carefully for the exact location.
Limited Driving Permits in Gwinnett County
If you are suspended for a DUI, you may be eligible for a limited driving permit (LDP) to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or DUI school, but only if your suspension wasn't for refusing a chemical test. Refusal suspensions carry a hard one-year suspension with no possibility of a limited permit. For suspensions related to BAC results, a limited permit may be available after you serve 30 days of hard suspension and complete DUI school. If eligible, you must adhere to a strict fixed schedule with explicit endorsements detailing travel routes and times. You should always carry documentation that proves the legitimacy of your travel to avoid arrest for Driving on a Suspended License.
Obtaining Evidence in Your Case
Gathering evidence is crucial. Immediately file open records requests with the Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) and the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. Be prepared to pay fees for bodycam redaction, which can be around $0.50 per minute.
Gwinnett County DDS Office
The Lawrenceville DDS office can assist with some aspects of license reinstatement and permit applications.
Lawrenceville DDS 2282 W. Broad Street Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Sources
Last updated: January 6, 2026
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