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: 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 (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
The Savannah Police Department (SPD) maintains strict chain-of-custody rules regarding impounded vehicles. The private towing contractor is contractually prohibited from releasing a vehicle without a physical Vehicle Release Form issued by the SPD.
Chatham County DUI: Navigating the DDS License Suspension Process
If you've been arrested for DUI in Chatham County, Georgia, your driver's license is at risk of suspension. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) handles these administrative license suspensions (ALS) separately from your criminal DUI case. Understanding this process and acting quickly is crucial to protecting your driving privileges.
The 30-Day License Cliff: Act Fast!
You have only 30 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing. Failure to file the $150 appeal for the 1205 Form within this timeframe results in a hard license suspension. This is a critical deadline; missing it will significantly impact your ability to drive legally.
Requesting an ALR Hearing in Georgia
While specific local Chatham County procedures aren't outlined, you can request an ALR hearing through the Georgia DDS. Generally, you can do this by:
- Online: Visit the Georgia DDS website and navigate to the "Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing Requests" section.
- Mail: Complete the "Georgia Department of Driver Services Appeal/Hearing Request" form (DDS-1206) and mail it to the address provided on the form.
It's highly recommended to confirm the most current procedures and mailing address with the DDS directly.
Vehicle Impound Release: The Northwest Precinct Bottleneck
After a DUI arrest in Savannah, your vehicle is likely impounded. Getting it back involves navigating a specific procedure with the Savannah Police Department (SPD). You will need a Vehicle Release Form issued by the SPD before you can retrieve your vehicle from the tow yard.
The only facility authorized to issue this paperwork is the SPD Northwest Precinct, located at 602 E. Lathrop Ave., Savannah, GA.
Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week, but reduced to 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on holidays. This creates a potential "Travel Gap" as the Chatham County Detention Center is approximately 6 miles from the SPD Northwest Precinct.
Remember to bring valid picture identification and your current vehicle registration or title. Insurance cards are not accepted as proof of ownership. If your registration is in the impounded vehicle, you may need to pay a "gate fee" to Sapp's Wrecker Service (the primary "Head-Out" contractor) to retrieve it.
Strategic Towing Partners: Sapp’s Wrecker Service
The primary "Head-Out" contractor—the default service called when an arrestee has no preference—is Sapp’s Wrecker Service. Sapp's Wrecker Service headquarters is located at 176 Godley Rd, Port Wentworth, GA (serving the Savannah metro area). Dispatch/Access is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Savannah Police Department Northwest Precinct is located at 602 E. Lathrop Ave., Savannah, GA.
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Last updated: January 6, 2026
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