Joshua's Law

In Georgia, your first driver’s license is called a Class D License, and the Georgia Department of Driver Services administers driver’s licenses.  You must be 16 years old to get a driver’s license in the State of Georgia.  To be eligible for a driver’s license as a first time driver, you must have held a learner’s license for at least one year and a day.  You’ll surrender your learner’s permit before getting your driver’s license.  The following describes the requirements and process for getting your Georgia driver’s license:

Joshua’s Law: Effective January 1, 2007, sixteen (16) year olds must comply with the Georgia Joshua’s Law requirements, which include taking a drivers education course and completing a minimum amount of supervised driving (explained below).

A simple way to take the Joshua’s Law Course online is by REGISTERING on this site.

On the Road Test:  You’ll have to take an on the road test at a Georgia Department of Driver Services Customer Service Center.  It’s a good idea to call in advance and make an appointment for this test.  Appointments can be scheduled ninety (90) days in advance.  You should have your learner’s permit number available when you call in for a reservation.  The phone numbers for setting up an appointment are 678-413-8500 (select option 3) or toll free 866-754-3687 if you are calling from outside the metro-Atlanta area.

Social Security Number: You must be able to provide a social security number.

Supervised Driving Experience: Your parent or legal guardian must sign an affidavit (a formal document) saying that the applicant for the license has completed no less than forty (40) hours of on-the-road driving, including at least six (6) hours at night, with a parent or guardian in the car.  This requirement is in addition to driving completed with an instructor during an approved driver education class.

Consent:  Your parent or legal guardian must sign the application for a license.  If a legal guardian will do it, he or she must provide a certified copy (which has an embossed seal from the court) of the order that made him or her your legal guardian.

School Requirement:  You must provide a Georgia DDS Certificate of Attendance form, signed and notarized (a formal signature you can obtain from your school) from the school.  This will be valid for only 30 days, so don’t get the form completed until you know when you are going to take your exam and get your license.  All applicants under age 18 who are not in school must provide a GED diploma, a high school diploma or an attendance form from your local Board of Education if you are enrolled in an approved home school program.

Also, you may not apply for or keep a driver’s permit or license if you withdraw from school (if you are under age 18), have a total of 10 unexcused absences or have any conduct infractions at your school.

ADAP Card: You must present an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) card to show you completed the required class.  This class is taught in both public and private schools in Georgia in four one-hour sessions.  To complete the program and obtain the card, you must pass an examination at the end of the class.
Eye and Driving Tests: You will be required to pass an eye and driving test administered by the Department of Driver Services.

Car Insurance: The vehicle you take your test in must be properly insured, registered, have a valid tag end must pass a safety inspection.  Make sure you take care of these things before you arrive at the Customer Service Center for your examination, because you will not be able to pass if you don’t.  You will have to present a valid insurance card.  Georgia does not let you take the test in a rental car.

The fee:  Show me the money! Georgia currently charges a $10 fee to obtain your license.  This may be paid in cash, money order, check, or credit/debit card.

If you can fulfill all of these requirements, you’ll be on your way to having a Georgia driver’s license.  Good luck!