Richmond 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 at 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 day 46
How to Appeal Your ALS
In Georgia, you appeal your Administrative License Suspension by filing a request with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The hearing is conducted by the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH), not in criminal court.
File Through Attorney
Why: Must be filed properly with DDS
Deadline: Within 10 business days
Handles both ALS appeal and criminal case
File Pro Se (Self)
Where: Georgia DDS
What to File: ALS Appeal Request + $150 fee
Method: Online, mail, or in person
Not recommended - legal complexity
What the Hearing Officer 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 (you should have received this)
- * 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 after 30 days with interlock)
- 2nd:3-year suspension (limited permit after 120 days)
- 3rd+:5-year suspension (no limited permit for 2 years)
Refused Chemical Test
- 1st:1-year hard suspension (no limited permit)
- 2nd:3-year hard suspension (no limited permit)
- 3rd+:5-year hard 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 per O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1.
What to Expect at the Hearing
ALS appeals are heard by OSAH
The Office of State Administrative Hearings conducts Georgia ALS hearings. This is separate from your criminal court case and typically held via telephone or video.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney, hearing officer, 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 negotiate limited permit faster
- Handles both ALS appeal and criminal case
Without an Attorney
- DDS 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 device installed
Limited Permit
Work, school, medical, treatment
Georgia DDS Augusta Office
For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or questions about your driving record:
FAQ
Related Guides
Upon arrest for DUI in Richmond County, Georgia, the arresting officer will seize your physical driver's license and issue a DDS Form 1205. This yellow sheet acts as a temporary driving permit for 30 days, if your license was valid prior to the arrest. It also serves as a Notice of Intent to Suspend your license after 45 days.
Appealing Your License Suspension in Richmond County
To avoid automatic license suspension, you must file an appeal or apply for an ignition interlock permit within 30 days of your arrest. This is a strict deadline. Missing it results in a hard suspension. For refusing a breath/blood test, this is a 12-month suspension with no driving permit at all.
Local Augusta DDS offices cannot accept these appeals. They must be mailed to the central headquarters.
Mailing Address: Georgia Department of Driver Services Records Management – Hearing Requests P.O. Box 80447 Conyers, GA 30013
The appeal requires a $150.00 filing fee. It must be paid by check or money order. Mailing the form without the fee leads to automatic rejection and suspension.
Utilize Certified Mail with Return Receipt is the only way to prove the deadline was met because documents can be lost.
DDS Infrastructure in Augusta
For tasks that can be handled locally (reinstatements after suspension, obtaining ID cards), visit the Augusta Customer Service Center:
Augusta Customer Service Center: 3423 Mike Padgett Hwy Augusta, GA 30906
Operating Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM Saturday: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM Closed Sunday and Monday
The "Closed Monday" schedule often creates a bottleneck on Tuesdays, resulting in longer wait times. This location cannot adjudicate the ALS hearing itself. Contact them at 3423 Mike Padgett Hwy, Augusta, GA 30906.
Sources
Last updated: January 6, 2026
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