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Driver Services tells committee Georgia is nearly fully Real ID compliant; highlights CDL growth and digital license rollout
Summary
At an appropriations committee briefing, the Georgia Department of Driver Services reported 99.913% Real ID compliance, expanded CDL testing and growing adoption of digital driver’s licenses while outlining anti‑fraud and customer‑service initiatives.
Commissioner Moore, head of the Georgia Department of Driver Services, told the committee that 99.913% of Georgia driver's‑license holders are Real ID compliant and described a series of operational changes aimed at speeding service and reducing identity fraud.
The report delivered Tuesday noted that the department serves increasing numbers online while also handling large face‑to‑face volumes. Moore said the agency recorded about 2.8 million in‑person transactions in 2024, operates 68 locations statewide, and has an average customer wait time of 7 minutes, 26 seconds from ticket issue to counter service.
Moore emphasized the state’s Real ID progress, saying, "We're very, very fortunate in our state that 99.913 percent of our citizens are Real ID compliant." He told lawmakers the high rate placed Georgia among national leaders ahead of federal Real ID and federal building access deadlines.
The commissioner described several technology and service changes: expanded online renewals and address changes, self‑service kiosks (including 309 kiosks in place), a voice bot called “George” that handles routine call center traffic, and a mobile driver’s license product with about 426,000 active mobile credentials. Moore said the mobile license supports Apple, Google and Samsung wallets and currently is used most by travelers at TSA checkpoints; verification for other uses requires NFC “tap” readers that agencies and businesses must adopt.
Moore also summarized the department’s use of remote/virtual road testing: about 80% of certain driving tests are done using on‑vehicle dashboard technology that captures vehicle speed and other performance indicators so examiners may evaluate driver behavior without an in‑car examiner. He credited third‑party providers and private driver‑education schools for helping deliver required hours and training; the department certified more than 142,000 driver‑education classes in 2024.
On commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), Moore said the state grew from roughly 385,000 CDL holders at the start of 2024 to about 416,000 by year’s end, and reported the average CDL holder’s age is 53. He warned of an FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) change that took effect Feb. 24 requiring medical providers to transmit CDL medical certificates directly to FMCSA, rather than issuing paper certificates to license holders; he said the department has been notifying CDL holders and working with partners to educate providers on the federal process.
Moore described ongoing fraud‑prevention measures for online identity verification, including video and text verification for some transactions, and reported about 242,000 address changes processed using that technology. He said the department is opening and relocating testing sites, including new and expanded CDL locations in Douglasville, Gainesville and an expected site in Hazlehurst, and plans to relocate an Athens‑area office to Bogart in Oconee County onto a campus shared with other state agencies.
During the question period several committee members praised DDS staff for customer service, and lawmakers singled out staff member Shavonda for frequent assistance. A legislator also praised Janice Holman for helping constituents with CDL issues.
Commissioner Moore yielded to committee questions after completing the briefing.
