In Georgia, riding legally means a Class M license, which is added to your existing license rather than replacing it with something separate. Along the way there is an optional Class MP instructional permit, a knowledge test, a vision check and an on-cycle skills test. A rider course approved by the Department of Driver Services (DDS) can earn a 90-day waiver of the tests, so the path you choose matters. Pick your situation below.
Pick the situation that matches yours
The Class MP permit opens at 16 and a Class M license at 17. Anyone under 18 also needs a signing adult and proof of school enrollment.
Your steps
- At 16, if you want the permit, finish a DDS-certified driver education course that includes 30 hours of theory and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction (the Joshua's Law requirement). DDS lists certified courses in an online locator.
- Get a parent, guardian or responsible adult to sign your application and complete the Responsible Adult Affidavit, and obtain a Certificate of School Enrollment (Form DS-1).
- Pass the vision exam and the motorcycle knowledge exam to receive the Class MP permit, which lasts 6 months.
- Ride only in daylight, with no passenger, and never on limited-access roads such as interstates, using the safety equipment the law prescribes.
- At 17 you can move to Class M by passing the on-cycle skills test or by earning a waiver through an approved rider course. Only permit holders can reserve a road test appointment.
What to bring
- Signed application form and Responsible Adult Affidavit
- Certificate of School Enrollment (Form DS-1)
- Proof of the DDS-certified driver education course
- Your identity, residency and Social Security documents as listed by DDS
- A DOT-compliant helmet, eye protection and closed-toe shoes for any skills test
You do not have to hold a permit first. DDS says the permit is not required before taking the Class M exam, so the main choice is test route or course route.
Your steps
- Decide how you will meet the testing requirement: take the knowledge and skills tests yourself, or complete an approved Basic RiderCourse or Basic RiderCourse 2 and earn the 90-day waiver.
- If you are testing at DDS, submit the online license form first, then pass the vision test and the knowledge test.
- Reserve a road test appointment. DDS states that walk-ins are not accepted for the skills test, and that only permit holders can reserve one, so get the Class MP permit first if you plan to test there.
- Arrive with a registered, insured, street-legal motorcycle that passes the examiner's safety inspection, wearing your helmet and eye protection.
- After you pass, your Class M is issued. If you hold a Class C or other license, it is surrendered when the Class M license is issued, and DDS notes there is no refund for the unused validity.
What to bring
- Your current Georgia license and the documents DDS lists for a Class M
- Motorcycle registration or proof of ownership, plus valid insurance
- A bill of sale if the bike has a temporary tag or was bought in the last 30 days
- DOT-compliant helmet, eye protection, closed-toe footwear
- Gloves, long sleeves and long pants are suggested
A permit is not a license. You have 6 months of daylight, solo riding to practice and then finish the Class M requirements.
Your steps
- Practice for the four skills test exercises: cone weave with a normal stop, a turn from a stop with a U-turn, a quick stop, and an obstacle swerve. The three-wheel version covers similar maneuvers.
- Expect to stabilize at roughly 12 to 18 mph before the quick stop and swerve, with the last two exercises around 15 to 20 mph.
- Alternatively, take Basic RiderCourse 2 (License Waiver), a one-day course for people who ride their own bike on a permit, and earn a 90-day waiver.
- Book your road test online, because the appointment is required, and keep the permit valid until the day you test.
- Pass and complete the Class M issue process. Points are added for stalling, putting a foot down, hitting cones or lines, or missing the stop box, and a fall or unsafe act can end the test early.
What to bring
- Your Class MP permit
- Registered and insured motorcycle with proof
- Waiver paperwork if you took an approved course
- Helmet, eye protection and closed-toe shoes
- Your appointment confirmation
New residents have 30 days to apply for a Georgia license. How an out-of-state motorcycle endorsement is handled should be confirmed with DDS, because the transfer page does not spell it out.
Your steps
- Start the clock on the day you become a Georgia resident and plan to apply within 30 days.
- Read DDS's out-of-state transfer page and its Class M page, and ask DDS directly whether your endorsement carries over or whether you must test or use a course waiver.
- If you need to satisfy the testing requirement, you may complete the Basic RiderCourse or use the skills test route described for adults.
- Bring identity and residency documents, and surrender your out-of-state license when your Georgia license is issued.
- Military members and dependents may qualify for a separate waiver with an MSF course completion card, a current Georgia license and military ID or DD-214.
What to bring
- Your valid out-of-state license and proof of the motorcycle endorsement
- Identity, residency and Social Security documents
- Military ID or DD-214 if applying under the military waiver
- A copy of any rider course completion card
Documents, costs and tips
Documents
- Identity and residency documents; if you hold a Real ID, look for the star in the upper right of the card, which generally means you do not need to bring everything again.
- Under 18: parent or guardian signature, Responsible Adult Affidavit and DS-1 school enrollment form.
- Motorcycle registration, proof of ownership and insurance for the skills test.
- Course completion paperwork if you are using a waiver.
Costs
- Basic RiderCourse enrollment: $250 per DDS, with different fees for non-residents.
- Basic RiderCourse 2 (License Waiver): $100 for Georgia residents and $150 for out-of-state residents.
- DDS pages we checked do not list the permit or Class M license fees, so check the current DDS fee schedule before you go.
- Fees can change, so confirm the amount when you register for a course.
Georgia tips
- A completed approved course gives a 90-day waiver, so schedule your DDS visit inside that window.
- Autocycles cannot be used for the on-cycle test, and a sidecar rig may need a different test route.
- Scooter riders from 51cc to 500cc can take the courses on their own street-legal scooter; if you ride to class on a permit, remember permit holders cannot ride after dark, so you may prefer to trailer the scooter.
- The basic course runs on training centers' motorcycles with a helmet provided, which suits a first-time rider.
Common questions
Do I need a permit before I can get a Class M?
No. DDS says you are not required to hold a Class MP before taking the Class M exam. The catch is that only permit holders can reserve a road test appointment, so a permit helps if you plan to take the skills test at DDS.
What can I do on a Class MP permit?
The permit lasts 6 months and comes with limits: daylight riding only, no passengers, and no limited-access roadways, plus required safety equipment.
Can a rider course replace the tests?
Yes. Completing an approved Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program course such as the Basic RiderCourse or Basic RiderCourse 2 earns a 90-day waiver for the knowledge and skills tests. Check the program for the exact waiver you will receive.
How old do I have to be?
You can apply for the permit at 16 and the Class M license at 17, with a responsible adult signing if you are under 18.
What do I wear to the skills test?
A DOT-compliant helmet, eye protection and closed-toe shoes are required. DDS suggests long sleeves, long pants and gloves.
Rules, fees and forms change, so confirm every detail with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (https://dds.georgia.gov) before you book a course or test. Passing is never guaranteed, but steady practice helps.