Can My Driver’s License Be Suspended for Failure to Pay Child Support in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, if you fail to pay child support for a period of 60 days or more, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) can suspend your driver’s license. Georgia is not alone in taking this drastic step; many other states have license suspension programs linked to child support obligations, as well. In the state of Georgia, DDS receives electronic notice from the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) of individuals who have fallen behind in their child support obligations.
DDS will not suspend your driver’s license until after it issues a written suspension notice to you. All parents who receive a warning notice from DDS will have a grace period before their licenses are suspended. If a parent who receives a warning notice from DDS comes into compliance with his or her child support obligation before the date stated in the notice, then the parent can avoid the license suspension altogether. A parent can work out payment arrangements for the outstanding child support with DHS, or if appropriate, provide documentation to correct a potential child support calculation error
If a parent doesn’t pay the delinquent child support before the license suspension date, DDS will go ahead and suspend the parent’s license. When DDS suspends your license for past-due child support, you cannot get a limited driving permit. You simply cannot drive at all. Your license will remain suspended until DHS or the court notifies DDS that you have complied with your child support obligation. At that time, you will have to pay a fee to DDS in order to have your license reinstated.
No matter what your situation, you will need a strong advocate on your side who knows how to achieve your objectives, particularly when there are child support issues involved. Working with an experienced Atlanta child support attorney will make all the difference in your case.
Contact us or call today to learn how Shaw Law can work with you to achieve the best outcome possible for you and your children.
Scott Shaw is founder and principle of Shaw Law Firm LLC, founded in 1995 and dedicated solely to divorce, family law and child custody matters that must be addressed and decided in the state of Georgia. Shaw Law Firm serves the greater Metro Atlanta area, particularly the counties of Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth, Paulding, Henry, Fayette, Coweta, Newton, Walton, Bartow and Douglas. Schedule a consultation today at 770-594-8309.