To get your full license in Georgia, you must be 18 years old. You can apply for your learner’s permit when you are 15 and receive a restricted license at 16.
Getting your driver’s license is an important rite of passage—but the process of applying for a learner’s permit, provisional license, and full license can be confusing.
That’s why Jerry
, the car insurance
shopper and licensed broker
app, is filling you in on the basic requirements of getting your Georgia driver’s license. We’ll cover the age you have to be to apply, what to expect at the Georgia DDS, and even how to find cheap car insurance in Georgia
! What is the driving age in Georgia?
The minimum driving age in Georgia is 15 years old. You may apply for a
provisional driver’s license
and receive your full, unrestricted license at age 18. How to get your learner’s permit in Georgia
All learner’s permit applicants in Georgia must be at least 15 years old.
If you are 15 and wish to apply for a learner’s permit, you must present the following documents:
Proof of identity, such as a certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, etc.
Proof of residence, such as a utility bill or a phone bill
Proof of citizenship or lawful status in the U.S.
Proof of school enrollment, such as a school transcript, current school identification card, most recent progress or grade report, etc.
All documents must have your first and last name. You will present the above documents to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (GA DDS). First, visit their website
to submit the required Online License/ID/Permit form. At your GA DDS appointment, you must:
Show all of your documents
You will need to bring a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult with you to your appointment. This person is able to request that your license be revoked any time before your 18th birthday—so choose them wisely!
Pro Tip Be sure to consult the DDS Driver Manual
to study for your knowledge exam. There’s a practice test
included, as well!
Learner’s permit restrictions
Once you present all your documentation, pass all applicable tests, and pay the permit fee, you’ll be granted your learner’s permit—congratulations!
We know you’re excited to start driving, but there are a few restrictions to be mindful of. With your learner’s permit, you may only drive in a vehicle with someone:
Who is licensed, at least 21 years old, and seated in the passenger seat
Who is fully equipped to take control of the vehicle if need be
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How to get your provisional driver’s license in Georgia
After you’ve held your Georgia learner’s permit for at least a year and one day, you may apply for your Class D provisional license.
Here are the basic requirements for applying for a Class D provisional license:
You must be at least 16 years old
You must have held your learner’s permit for at least a year and one day
You must not have had any major violations that resulted in the suspension of your learner’s permit
You must read and complete Joshua's Law requirements
If you qualify to apply for a provisional license, you must first submit the required online form
and schedule a road test appointment
. At your appointment, you will need to show the following documents:
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status
Proof of school enrollment
An ADAP or eADAP
certificate of completion Certificate of completion of the driver education course, which must be completed at a DDS-certified driving school
After you show your documentation, you must:
Again, make sure to bring a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult with you to your appointment!
Key Takeaway Bring your required documentation and proof of driver training and come prepared to take (and pass!) your road skills test to acquire your provisional license.
Provisional driver’s license restrictions
Woohoo, you got your provisional driver’s license! It’s a great day—but not so fast! There are certain driving restrictions to adhere to until you receive your full driver’s license at age 18.
With a provisional driver’s license:
You may not drive between midnight and 5 am
Only immediate family members may ride with you for the first six months
Only one passenger under the age of 21 who is not an immediate family member may ride with you for the second six months
Only three passengers under the age of 21 who are not immediate family members may ride with you after one year
Once you turn 18, you’ll be able to upgrade your provisional license for a full Georgia driver’s license—yippee! You may upgrade your license from a D to a C (under 21) using DDS’s online services
. Exceptions
Georgia offers a hardship license for certain teens who qualify. If you are at least 14 years old but under 18 and do not have reliable transportation due to a hardship, you may apply for a hardship license. Qualified hardships include:
Medical reasons authorized by a physician
School or school-related functions
Employment certified by employer’s signature
Immediate family member business certified with the signature of parent or guardian
You would apply for a hardship license by:
Providing evidence of the hardship
Providing proof of identity
Completing an application
Passing a vision test and knowledge exam
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Permit? Check. License? Check. Car insurance? You better believe it!
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