State service guide

Georgia driving records: 3-year, 7-year, or lifetime MVRs, mailed certified copies, and a free 2-year app view before you buy

Georgia's MVR system is more segmented than a generic DMV page usually suggests. DDS says individuals can request a 3-year, 7-year, or lifetime Motor Vehicle Report online, in person, or by mail. The current fees are $6 for a 3-year report and $8 for a 7-year or lifetime report. The big operational difference is certification: a non-certified MVR is only available for viewing for 30 days and cannot be downloaded to your computer, while a certified MVR is printed, certified, and mailed to the address you request. Georgia also gives drivers a lighter self-check option through the DDS 2 GO app, which lets users view two years of driving history for free.

Open official source View Georgia services
Report lengths Georgia offers 3-year, 7-year, and lifetime MVRs
Fees Georgia charges $6 for a 3-year MVR and $8 for a 7-year or lifetime MVR
Non-certified rule A non-certified Georgia MVR is view-only for 30 days and cannot be downloaded to your computer
Free status check The DDS 2 GO app lets drivers view 2 years of driving history for free

Overview

What this page helps you verify

A good Georgia driving-records page should start by separating duration, certification, and delivery method. Georgia does not present one uniform DMV abstract. The report can cover 3 years, 7 years, or a lifetime of Georgia history, and the certified and non-certified versions behave differently after purchase. Non-certified reports are view-only for 30 days, while certified reports are mailed as official stamped copies and can also be sent to a third party on the customer's behalf. The state also publishes a practical low-friction option that many generic pages miss: the DDS 2 GO app lets a user view two years of driving history for free before deciding whether a formal paid MVR is actually necessary.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-18. This page was manually upgraded against service-specific official sources, but requirements can still change quickly.

Usually needed

Documents and information to prepare

  • Your full name exactly as it appears on your Georgia driver's license, plus your date of birth and Georgia driver's license number
  • A valid credit card if ordering online or in the DDS 2 GO app
  • Form DDS-18 if requesting the MVR in person or by mail
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting the MVR by mail
  • If requesting another person's Georgia MVR, the driver's signature on DDS-18 and proper identification for the person receiving the report

Typical flow

What the process often looks like

  1. Choose whether you need a 3-year, 7-year, or lifetime Georgia MVR and whether it needs to be certified.
  2. If you only need a quick status look, check whether the free 2-year DDS 2 GO view is enough before paying for a formal MVR.
  3. If you need a formal report, request it online, in person, or by mail using the current DDS process and fee schedule.
  4. If the report is for someone else or for employment or another official use, make sure the certified version and any required driver authorization are included.

What Georgia actually sells

Georgia's MVR system is built around both time range and certification level

This is the core distinction a generic benchmark page tends to compress too much.

  • Georgia DDS says individuals may request a 3-year, 7-year, or lifetime driving history report.
  • The same page says online ordering supports 3-year and 7-year certified or non-certified MVRs, while in-person and mail requests can also cover a lifetime MVR.
  • That means the right first question is not just 'how do I order it' but also 'how far back and does it need to be certified.'

Certified versus non-certified

Georgia's two MVR versions behave very differently after purchase

This is the most important practical rule for users who expect an instant downloadable PDF.

  • Georgia says a non-certified MVR is only available for viewing and remains available for 30 days after the date requested.
  • DDS also says a non-certified version can be printed but cannot be downloaded to the user's computer.
  • The certified version is instead printed, certified, and mailed to the address requested, and it can also be sent to a third party on behalf of the customer.

Fees and free preview option

Georgia gives a free light-touch app view before the paid formal report

This is a useful state-specific detail most national pages miss.

  • DDS lists the 3-year MVR at $6 and the 7-year or lifetime MVR at $8.
  • The DDS 2 GO app allows the driver to view two years of driving history for free.
  • The same app can also be used to request a 3-year or 7-year certified or non-certified MVR if the user decides the free preview is not enough.

Third-party requests

Georgia allows authorized release, but it still wants the driver's consent and the original form

This is where the process becomes more formal than a self-request.

  • Georgia says that if you are requesting an MVR for another person, you must get the driver's signature.
  • The DDS-18 form says the driver consents to release of the record to the named person or entity in accordance with Georgia law.
  • For in-person requests, DDS also says the person receiving the report for another individual must show proper identification.

Accuracy notes

Where people get tripped up

  • Georgia driving-record content should not imply that every MVR is an instant downloadable file. The certified and non-certified products behave differently.
  • The lifetime MVR is a real Georgia option, but the current DDS page ties it to in-person and mail workflows rather than ordinary online viewing.
  • The free 2-year DDS 2 GO history view is a useful state-specific distinction that should stay visible.
  • If the request is for someone else's Georgia MVR, the driver signature and original DDS-18 form matter.

FAQ

Common questions

  • How much does a Georgia driving record cost?

    Georgia charges $6 for a 3-year MVR and $8 for a 7-year or lifetime MVR.

  • Can I get a lifetime Georgia driving record?

    Yes. Georgia says you can request a lifetime MVR in person or by mail.

  • Can I download a non-certified Georgia MVR to my computer?

    No. DDS says the non-certified MVR is view-only for 30 days and may be printed, but it cannot be downloaded to your computer.

  • How do I get a certified Georgia driving record?

    Georgia says you may request a certified MVR online, in person, or by mail. The certified version is printed, certified, and mailed to the address you request.

  • Is there any free way to check my Georgia driving history before I buy an MVR?

    Yes. DDS says the DDS 2 GO app lets you view two years of your driving history for free.

Sources

Official references used for this page

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