The Georgia Department of Revenue is closing its motor vehicle application and tag and title system from January 13-18, 2021 in order to complete a technology upgrade to DRIVES, or Driver Record and Integrated Vehicle Enterprise System. During this time, customers will not be able to visit in person or utilize Department of Driver Services online services or the DDS 2 Go mobile app, and there will be no walk-in, online, or kiosk services for Department of Revenue (DOR) and County Tag Offices’ Motor Vehicle Operations.

This statewide closure and outage affects services provided by the Macon-Bibb County Tax Commissioner’s Office, both at their office on Third Street and the kiosks at the Krogers on Tom Hill, Sr. Boulevard and Hartley Bridge Road. There will be no services available related to motor vehicles; those services will resume on Tuesday, January 19.

“We’re encouraging people to go ahead and renew their registrations this week, as well as take care of any other motor vehicles they need,” says Tax Commissioner S. Wade McCord. “It’s our goal for the system to have more self-service options, improve customer service, and have better protection of our data.”

During this time, other services provided will still be available, including paying property taxes and solid waste fees, applying for a Homestead Exemption, applying for an Alcohol or Business License, and paying hotel/motel occupancy tax, timber and heavy equipment tax, alcohol excise tax, and bank gross receipts.

From the Georgia Department of Revenue

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will soon complete a technology upgrade called DRIVES -- Driver Record and Integrated Vehicle Enterprise System. This multi-year upgrade modernizes the current DDS Driver’s License system and the DOR Tag & Title system. The new system will offer more self-service options, improve customer service, and enhance data integrity.

While DOR and County Tax Commissioners have been utilizing DRIVES since Spring 2019, this important upgrade done in tandem with the DDS system transition will ensure each Agency will have access to the most recent enhancements and features of the software.

The DRIVES system establishes a customer-centric enterprise solution to support each Agency, and the partners will maintain their individual roles as defined in state law. DDS will continue to handle the state’s driver license and ID Card issuance function by properly trained and certified driver examiners. Each County Tax Commissioner will continue their established mission including motor vehicle license plate and title administration. 

Both Agencies have encouraged those with January renewal dates to plan ahead and renew early. 

“We are excited for this upgrade which will enable us to provide the best customer service possible whether in person or online once the upgrade is complete. I encourage customers whose driver’s license and/or ID is scheduled to expire during the month of January 2021 to renew their credential prior to the scheduled closings,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. Another important DRIVES benefit will be enhanced security features which will help deter fraud and identity theft. Once the transition is complete, customers will be prompted to reestablish their existing DDS online account for security purposes. 

According to DOR Commissioner David Curry, “The Department of Revenue and Tag Offices in all 159 counties have been using the system since May of 2019, and we look forward to the realization of this long-term vision with our partners at DDS. Like Commissioner Moore, I encourage all customers with vehicle registrations expiring in January to complete their renewals before January 13th.”

In preparation for the launch, both Agencies will have scheduled closings as outlined below.

• Department of Driver Services (DDS): January 14-18, 2021. During the closing, customers will not be able to visit in person or utilize DDS online services or the DDS 2 Go mobile app.

• Department of Revenue (DOR) and County Tag Offices’ Motor Vehicle Operations: January 13-18, 2021. During the outage, no walk-in, online, or kiosk services will be available for customers.