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DDS Cautions of Unofficial DMV Websites/Apps
DDS

Department of Driver Services (DDS) Commissioner Spencer R. Moore urges customers to be aware of third-party websites and Apps who charge upfront for road test reservations and other  driver services.  While it is necessary to schedule for testing, DDS does not charge for non-commercial road test appointments. (commercial road tests are paid for at the time the appointment is made).

“Please do not get fooled by lookalike driver services websites,” said Commissioner Moore.  “DDS does not charge for any non- commercial appointment, training manuals or informational material. The official DDS website is www.dds.georgia.gov  and can also be accessed through the state’s portal www.georgia.gov.” 

Third party Internet sites are not connected with or sanctioned by the DDS.  The list of imposter websites directed at Georgia drivers is long, but there are tips to ensure you are on the correct site for Georgia drivers.

• Most customers arrive at an incorrect site by doing a browser search for “Georgia DMV,” “Georgia License Renewal” or similar generic searches.  DDS manages driver licensing and the Department of Revenue handles the vehicle (tags and titles).

• Georgia.gov is the official site for the state of Georgia and has access to all state managed services.

• Read the site you are interacting with carefully. By law privately owned websites are required to inform users that the site is not affiliated with any State or Government Entity. 

• Sites that have .com or .org at the end of their website address (url) are not state official sites.  The official state of Georgia websites will have .gov as is the case with www.dds.georgia.gov. 

 Customers who have reached the private websites by error should contact the site for instructions on how to receive a refund. Customers may file a formal complaint with the Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) by visiting their website at www.consumer.ga.gov or may call their Intake Department at (404) 651-8600.

 


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Next week's forecast calls for snow
snow
Forecasts call for snow Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

Coastal Georgia residents could be in for a weather phenomenon that hasn’t taken place in several years.

The National Weather Service’s forecast for early next week calls for a chance of snow on Tuesday, and some freezing precipitation could come as early as Monday, said a meteorologist with the NWS’ office in Charleston, S.C.

“It will be unseasonably cold next week, particularly beginning on Monday,” said meteorologist Jonathan Lamb. “As far as the potential for wintry precipitation, there is a decent chance we could see some snow or freezing rain next week.”

Lamb said Monday night through Tuesday night is the window with the most chance for snow or freezing rain, though some forecast models also call for precipitation at the end of next week.

There hasn’t been snow in Hinesville since 2018 and longtime residents may remember the “White Christmas” of 1989. The last measurable snow in Hinesville occurred January 3, 2018, according to the NWS.

According to the National Weather Service’s forecast, there is a chance of snow Tuesday before 1 p.m., followed by a chance of rain between 1 and 4 p.m., with a chance of rain and snow after 4 p.m. Snow is likely Tuesday evening after 7 p.m., and temperatures overnight will drop into the low 20s.

There is also a 20% chance of snow Wednesday.

But snow and freezing rain also bring dangers, especially to the roads. Bridges and elevated roads also run the risk of icing over.

“In the Southeast, we’re not accustomed to a lot of wintry precipitation,” Lamb said. “People overestimate their capabilities for driving. They kind of assume the roads are completely cleared. But there are so many places where patches of ice can form. If you hit one patch of ice and are braking or turning, you could completely lose control. Our number one advice is to stay off the roads if you absolutely can.”

The state Department of Transportation urges drivers to follow safety precautions during hazardous weather, such as freezing rain or snow. Even melting snow can refreeze overnight and lead to a condition known as “black ice” on roads.

The Georgia DOT recommends drivers do the following:

• Beware of black ice (especially on bridges and overpasses) and watch for fallen trees or power lines

• Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary or postpone until daylight when road conditions, such as black ice, may be visible

• Do not pass a GDOT dump truck spreading salt/gravel; gravel may kick up and could break car windows. Follow at least 100 feet behind these vehicles

• Be aware of GDOT work crews who clear snow and ice from interstates and state routes

• Slow down to at least half of the normal speed limit and drive in low gear

• Treat a non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop

GDOT also prioritizes achieving and maintaining passable road conditions during winter weather. According to a GDOT spokesperson, among the priorities are keeping roads safe for emergency vehicles and has a goal of maintaining all lanes as passable unless the storm’s severity dictates otherwise.

GDOT crews will focus first on interstates, then on the most heavily-traveled state routes and then to lesser-traveled state routes. Crews also will pretreat bridges and overpasses prior to snow and ice conditions and consistently monitor those spans.

 

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