Georgia puts teens through two license classes: a provisional Class D at 16, then a full Class C at 18. The state also requires an online form before you visit, and a driver education law named for Joshua. Adults go straight to Class C but still need the permit and a signed practice affidavit.
Pick the situation that matches yours
Georgia lets teens start at 15 with a Class CP permit, and teens under 18 must prove school enrollment.
Your steps
- Submit the online License/ID/Permit Form before you go, since your information stays on file for 60 days.
- Gather one identity document, two residency documents from separate sources, and proof of school enrollment or a diploma or GED.
- Visit a DDS Customer Service Center with a parent, guardian or authorized adult who signs the form.
- Pass the vision exam and the knowledge exam, have your photo taken, and pay the $10 permit fee.
- Drive only with a Class C licensed driver aged 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat.
- Complete a Joshua's Law driver education program, which includes 30 hours of instruction plus behind-the-wheel training.
What to bring
- Identity document with first and last name (such as a U.S. birth certificate or unexpired passport)
- Two proofs of Georgia residency from separate sources, no P.O. boxes
- Proof of school enrollment (transcript, report card, school ID, or Georgia Department of Education homeschool document)
- Social Security number on the online form, plus a supporting document if it does not verify
- Any out-of-state license or permit, to surrender
Adults skip the provisional Class D stage, but the first-time process still has a permit, a practice affidavit and a road test.
Your steps
- Submit the online License/ID/Permit Form, then schedule your road test appointment through the DDS site.
- Collect your identity document, two residency documents from separate sources, and Social Security verification.
- Visit a Customer Service Center to pass the vision exam and the knowledge exam and to get the learner's permit.
- Complete 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of them at night, with a licensed adult aged 21 or older.
- Arrive at the road test with a paper copy of the registration, a current insurance card, a vehicle that passes the DDS inspection, and the signed 40-hour affidavit.
- Pass the road skills test and pay the license fee.
What to bring
- Valid Georgia non-commercial learner's permit
- Signed affidavit confirming 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 at night
- Proof that you passed the knowledge exam
- Paper copy of vehicle registration and a current insurance card
- Bill of sale if the car has a temporary tag or was bought within the past 30 days
For teens the clock is long: a full year and a day with the permit before the Class D license.
Your steps
- Hold the learner's permit for 12 months and one day before applying for the Class D license, which requires being at least 16 with no major traffic violations.
- Finish the Joshua's Law education requirement through a certified school (30 classroom or online hours plus behind-the-wheel training).
- Complete 40 hours of supervised driving with 6 at night; no log is required, but a parent or guardian must attend and swear to the hours.
- Book a road test appointment; walk-ins and same-day appointments are not offered, and the only other person in the car may be a licensed driver aged 21 or older.
- Remember that Class D bars driving from midnight to 5 a.m. with no exceptions, and allows only immediate family as passengers for the first six months.
- Move to Class C at 18, provided you have no major traffic convictions in the past 12 months.
What to bring
- Documents required for a Class D provisional license
- Parent or guardian to attest to the completed training
- Driver education certificate from a certified school
- Registration copy and insurance card for the test vehicle
How much testing you face depends on your license status, and in many cases it is only an eye test.
Your steps
- Apply within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident.
- Submit the online License/ID/Permit Form before your visit.
- If your license is valid, or expired no more than 2 years, expect only a vision exam with no written or road test.
- If your license expired more than 2 years ago, expect written, road and vision exams.
- If you hold only a learner's permit, you take a vision exam and skip the knowledge test.
- Surrender your out-of-state license at the visit.
What to bring
- Current out-of-state license (to surrender)
- One identity document with your first and last name
- Two proofs of Georgia residency from separate sources
- Certified driving record (MVR) if expired over 2 years, or dated within 60 days if the license was lost or stolen
Documents, costs and tips
Identity and residency documents
- Identity: one document for U.S. citizens, such as an original or certified birth certificate with a raised seal, an unexpired passport or passport card, or a naturalization certificate.
- Residency: two documents from separate sources showing your current residential address; P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- Social Security number: enter the full number on the online form and bring support such as a Social Security card, W-2, pay stub or tax return if it does not verify.
- Name changes need paperwork showing each change.
- All documents must be in English, and non-citizens must show immigration papers, because translated documents are not accepted.
Fees we could confirm
- Learner's permit: $10.00
Georgia tips
- File the online form first; the information is held for only 60 days, so do not do it months ahead.
- Skip the log but not the oath: Georgia does not ask for a driving log, but a parent has to swear to the hours in person.
- Class D limits stay in place until you move to Class C, so turning 18 alone does not remove them.
- Teens who moved from another state need a driver education certificate from a Georgia-certified program, with a limited exception for children of active-duty military.
Common questions
How old do I have to be to get a permit in Georgia?
At least 15 and you must pass a knowledge exam.
Do I need a permit before turning 18?
A 17-year-old who never had a permit or Class D can apply at 18, but must swear to 40 supervised hours (6 at night) and pass the knowledge test.
Who can sit next to a permit holder?
A Class C licensed driver aged 21 or older who can take control of the vehicle.
Can a road test be taken at any time?
Appointments only; walk-in and same-day tests are not available.
Check the official Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) pages (https://dds.georgia.gov/) before you go, since fees, forms and rules change.