How to Get Your Georgia Driver’s License: A Complete Guide

Table Of Content

Explore the updated requirements for a Georgia driver's license in 2024. Whether you're a new applicant or renewing, get insights into the necessary documents, steps, and resources. Get ready for an easy process!

Understanding the Different Driver's License Classes in Georgia

Class C/D

Class D licenses refer to standard licenses for non-commercial vehicles. Class D license holders can operate personal cars, trucks, and vans for personal use. This license allows you to drive a vehicle with a GVWR under 26,001 pounds. Moreover, you can only tow a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. Your adult class D driver’s license has a validity of eight years. Read the Official Georgia Driving Manual or take a GA Driver’s License Practice test to prepare for your knowledge and driving tests.

Class A and B Commercial

Class A and B licenses are commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). Class A allows drivers to operate combination vehicles like tractor-trailers. Class B is for single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Class C

Class C licenses are also CDLs. However, they apply to single vehicles or combinations. They aren’t covered by Class A or B. Class C includes vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials.

Class M

Class M licenses allow you to legally operate motorcycles.

How Can I Get a Driver’s License in Georgia?

To get your license in Georgia, you must complete the Graduated Driver’s License program.

This program has three steps:

1. Get a learner's license. This license allows you to practice supervised driving.

2. Get a provisional license. This license allows you to drive with certain restrictions.

3. Apply for your unrestricted license. This license allows you to drive freely.

How to Apply for a Class C Driver’s License in Georgia

You must first obtain an instruction permit for a Class C driver's license. You will have to pass your vision exam and clear your knowledge and road tests. Moreover, you might also have to take an ADAP class. Here’s a breakdown of the steps based on age:

• If you’re a first-timer between 15 and 18, apply for your instruction permit.

• If you’re an instruction permit holder between 16 and 18, apply for your provisional license.

• If you’re a first-timer, learner’s permit, or provisional license holder above 18, apply for your full license.

How to Apply for an Instruction Permit: A Guide for First-timers

If you’re 16 and ready to drive, it’s time to get started on your license process. Everyone under 18 must apply for their instructional permit before they go for their provisional or adult driver’s license. A learner’s permit lets teens practice supervised driving by a licensed driver who’s at least 21 years old.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for first-time drivers to get their license:

1. Go to a DDS Customer Service Center

To apply for your license, you must visit a DDS Customer Service Center. Please note that not all centers offer the same services. Don’t forget to contact a customer service center beforehand to learn more about their offerings.

2. Fill and Submit an Application Form

You must fill out a license form. You can do so at the service center. However, it’s preferable to do it in advance to avoid inconvenience. Also, make sure to get your parent, guardian, instructor, or another responsible adult to accompany you to the center. They will have to sign your application in front of a DDS employee.

3. Bring Your Documentation Along

To get your GA learner’s permit, you’ll need to verify the following through your documents:

• Date of birth

• Full name and identity

• Social Security Number (proof of ineligibility if you don’t have it)

• Legal US presence

• Residential address in Georgia

• Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

4. Bring Your Secondary School Education Documents

You must bring documentation to prove that you have attended or have graduated from secondary school or the equivalent.

5. Pass Your Vision Test

You must have a 20/60 acuity in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. Moreover, you’ll be referred to an eye specialist if your field of vision is less than 140 degrees.

6. Pay the Fee

The license fee is $10. You can pay by cash, check, or card. Also, you’ll have to incur a $10 fee every time you fail and retake the knowledge exam.

7. Give and Pass a Written Knowledge Test

To obtain a GA driver's license, you must pass a written knowledge test administered by the DDS Service Center. There’s no need to schedule an appointment; tests are taken on a walk-in basis. Just make sure to arrive before the closing time since the test must be taken at least 30 minutes before the center's closing.

8. Have Your Photograph Taken

After giving your thumbprint, get your picture taken.

9. Receive Your License

Be ready to receive your temporary permit once you’ve met all the above-mentioned requirements. The DDS service center will mail you your permanent permit within thirty days. Give them a call if you don’t receive it by then. Remember, your instruction permit will be valid for two years. If you don’t sign up for an adult license by the time your permit expires, you must renew your instructional permit.

How to Apply for a Provisional License

An intermediate or a provisional license is the second step of GA’s driver’s license program. Getting your teen license allows you to drive supervised. However, it comes with certain restrictions.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for teens to get their provisional license:

1. Complete a Driver's ED Course

If you’re under 17, you must take a driver’s training course approved by the DDS.

2. Keep Your Learner’s Permit for a Year

You must keep your permit with you for a year. Make sure your permit isn’t suspended. Also, if you had held a learner’s license in another country or state before becoming a GA resident, it will count towards this one-year requisite.

3. Driving Practice Completion

You must complete 40 hours of supervised driving with your instructional permit. Six hours of these driving hours must be at night. Make sure your guardian, parent, or instructor certifies these practice hours by signing a Driving Experience Affidavit at the DDS service center.

4. Finish an ADAP Class

You must attend Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program classes at your school. If you missed out on any class, you should make up for them. They are conducted at various locations. You can find more information on this by contacting the DDS.

5. Go to a DDS Customer Service Center

You must visit a DDS Customer Service Center to apply for your license. Please note that not all centers offer the same services. Don’t forget to contact a customer service center beforehand to learn more about their offerings.

6. Fill and Submit an Application Form

You must fill out a license form. You can do so at the service center. However, it’s preferable to do it in advance to avoid inconvenience. Also, make sure to get your parent, guardian, instructor, or another responsible adult to accompany you to the center. They will have to sign your application in front of a DDS employee.

7. Bring Your Documentation Along

To get your GA provisional license, you’ll need to verify the following through your documents:

• Date of birth

• Full name and identity

• Social Security Number (proof of ineligibility if you don’t have it)

• Legal US presence

• Residential address in Georgia

• Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

8. Bring Your Secondary School Education Documents

You must bring documentation to prove that you have attended or have graduated from secondary school or the equivalent. Your GA DDS Attendance Certificate must be notarized from your school.

9. Pass Your Vision Test

You must have a 20/60 acuity in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. Moreover, you’ll be referred to an eye specialist if your field of vision is less than 140 degrees.

10. Pay the Fee

The license fee is $10. You can pay by cash, check, or card.

11. Pass the Road Test

You will need to take a road test to get your provisional license. You can make an appointment by calling the DDS customer service center. Certain driving schools are certified to conduct road tests, but you might have to incur a fee.

12. Hand Over Your Learner’s Permit

You will have to submit your instruction permit to receive your provisional license. The license issued to you at the customer center will be temporary. You can expect to receive your permanent license in the mail within 30 days.

Note: Your provisional license will last up to five years and expire on your birthday. It’s preferable to upgrade your intermediate license to a permanent one when you turn 18.

Restrictions of a Provisional License

A provisional license comes with certain restrictions:

• You can’t drive between 12 am and 5 am for the first six months of getting your license.

• For the next six months, you can’t carry more than one passenger who’s under 21 and doesn’t belong to your immediate family.

• After the first year of having your license, you can’t drive around with more than three other passengers who are under 21 and don’t belong to your immediate family.

How to Apply for Your GA Adult Driver’s License

If you’re a first-timer or a learner’s permit holder, start with the first step.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your GA adult driver’s license:

1. Go to a DDS Customer Service Center

To apply for your full driver’s license, you must visit a DDS Customer Service Center. Please note that not all centers offer the same services. Don’t forget to contact a customer service center beforehand to learn more about their offerings.

2. Driving Practice Completion

You must complete 40 hours of supervised driving with your instructional permit. Six hours of these driving hours must be at night. You can do this by signing a Driving Experience Affidavit at the DDS service center.

3. Fill and Submit an Application Form

You must fill out a license form. You can do so at the service center. However, it’s preferable to do it in advance to avoid inconvenience.

4. Pass Your Vision Test

You must have a 20/60 acuity in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. Moreover, you’ll be referred to an eye specialist if your field of vision is less than 140 degrees.

5. Bring Your Documentation Along

To get your GA adult license, you’ll need to verify the following through your documents:

• Date of birth

• Full name and identity

• Social Security Number (proof of ineligibility if you don’t have it)

• Legal US presence

• Residential address in Georgia

• Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

If you can provide documents to prove your SSN or residential address, you may be issued a temporary 120-day license until you can provide those documents.

6. Give and Pass a Written Knowledge Test

If you don’t have a GA instructional permit, you must pass a written knowledge test administered by the DDS Service Center. There’s no need to schedule an appointment; tests are taken on a walk-in basis. Just make sure to arrive before the closing time since the test must be taken at least 30 minutes before the center's closing.

7. Pass a Road Test

You will need to clear your driving test. You can make an appointment by calling the center’s reservation line.

8. Submit Your Instruction Permit

9. Have Your Photograph Taken

Get your picture taken.

10. Pay the Adult License Fee

The license fee is $32. You can pay by cash, check, or card. If you’re a 5-year non-citizen, you’ll have to pay only $20.

Written and Driving Tests

Georgia Written Knowledge Exam

To become a fully licensed driver in Georgia, you must take the driving knowledge test. The knowledge exam is split into two tests. The first test comprises questions regarding road signs and is available in multiple languages.

The second test is only available in English and covers topics such as:

• Rules of the road

• Safe driving practices

• Alcohol and drug awareness

• Driver responsibility

• Driving laws

Both the tests feature MCQs, with one correct and two wrong answers.

How to Pass the Georgia Knowledge Test

You must pass both the tests to pass your knowledge exam and move further in the driver’s license process. You must get at least 15 out of 20 answers right in each test to pass.

Passing the knowledge test can be tricky, especially for first-time drivers. However, there are multiple resources to help you pass the exam with flying colors. First, you can utilize the Official Georgia Driver’s License Manual to learn everything that will come in your test. Secondly, once you’re done with the manual, you can try out the Georgia Driver’s License Practice Test for free to see if you’re prepared for the actual test.

Georgia Driving Test

The road test must be taken at the DDS Customer Service Center. The appointment must be scheduled in person at the center or by calling the reservation line. Road tests are also administered by some certified driving schools, though they might charge for them. A few of them might allow you to take the driving test in one of their personal cars.

Replacing or Renewing Your GA Driver’s License

There are three ways to renew or replace your Georgian driver’s license:

In Person

You can renew your driver’s license by visiting a DDS Service Center. Generally, not everyone is eligible to renew their license online or by mail.

Here’s what you need to do if you’re ready to renew your license in person:

1. Fill out and submit a license application form at the office.

2. Bring your current license and proof of residency in Georgia. You must also verify your SSN and legal presence in the U.S.

3. Submit your current driver’s license.

4. Have your picture taken.

5. Pay the $32 license renewal fee.

Note: You can renew your GA license even if it expired over two years ago. However, you will need to clear your knowledge, road, and vision tests.

By Mail

You can renew your license through the mail if you’re out of state because:

• You’re in the military (or the dependent of someone who is)

• You’re out of Georgia to attend school (or the dependent of someone who is)

• You’re temporarily working out of state (or the dependent of someone who is)

• You’re incapacitated and cannot visit a center in person (or the dependent of someone who is)

Here’s how you can apply for your license via mail:

1. Download the mail application package.

2. Fill out the application forms and mail them at the given address with the $32 renewal fee (card, check, or money order).

It’ll take you about ten days to receive your renewed license.

Online

You can renew your license online if you meet the following requirements:

• You’re below the age of 64.

• You’re a US citizen.

• Your current license is valid or has expired no longer than two years ago.

• Your license complies with the secure ID requirements.

• Your license hasn’t been canceled, revoked, or canceled.

• You haven’t changed your name.

• You renewed your license in person the last time.

• You can pay the fee via a debit or credit card.

To renew your license online, you must visit the License/Identification Card Renewal page of the DDS Georgia website. You can register your account and pay the $27 renewal fee. You can expect your renewal application to be processed within seven days.

How to Transfer Your License to a Georgia Driver’s License

In the event that you move to Georgia and have a non-commercial driver's license from another US state or foreign nation, you have 30 days to convert it to a Georgia driver's license.

How to Know If You’re a Georgia Resident

According to Georgia, a person residing in the state must be a citizen of the United States or someone authorized by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service. They must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• The individual plans to return to Georgia, where they have a permanent residence.

• The individual takes a job in Georgia or practices any trade or occupation there.

• The individual registers their kids in Georgia educational institutions.

• The visitor has spent a minimum of 30 days in Georgia.

What If I Have a Valid Out-of-State License?

Have you moved to Georgia? Welcome to the Peach State. If you’ve got an out-of-state license, you’ll have to transfer it to Georgia to make the best of your stay. You can do this by visiting any DDS Customer Service Center. Please note that not all centers offer the same services. Don’t forget to contact a customer service center beforehand to learn more about the services they offer.

Here’s what you need to do to get your license transferred:

1. Complete an Application Form

It’s preferable to fill it out online before going to the service center.

2. Bring Your Documentation Along

To get your GA license, you’ll need to verify the following through your documents:

• Date of birth

• Full name and identity

• Social Security Number (proof of ineligibility if you don’t have it)

• Legal US presence

• Residential address in Georgia

• Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

3. Successfully Complete an Eye Test

You will have to pass a vision test.

4. Hand Over Your Out-of-State License

Submit your other valid license to the office so that you can receive your GA driver’s license.

5. Get Your Photo Taken

Smile for a cute license picture!

6. Pay the Fee

You will have to pay a license fee of $32. Non-citizens can get a five-year license for $20.

7. Receive Your License

Once you’ve submitted your documentation, you can expect to receive your license in the mail within 30 days.

Are You Having Trouble with Your Residential Address or SSN?

In the interim, until you can give DDS those documents, the DDS may grant you a 120-day temporary license. You can fax, mail, or upload them without returning them to the Center. Just remember to complete this at least 20 days before the expiration of your temporary 120-day license.

What If I Have a Valid Foreign License?

Moving to Georgia from another country? Great!

No matter which nation or US territory issued your foreign license, you won't be required to give it up unless you are a citizen of the US. transferring your foreign driver's license is like applying for a new adult driver’s license.

South Korea is the only country that can transfer their driver’s license to Georgia. If you possess a South Korean driver's license, you must provide a License Certification Letter from the consulate and clear your vision exam. You won't be required to take a road test or knowledge test. However, you will have to visit a DDS Customer Service Center in person to apply.