Georgia Online Driver Education and Georgia Licensing Procedures

So you’ve taken your first step to become a new driver in Georgia? Congratulations!

As you probably already know, driving is a valuable skill to know but it can also be extremely dangerous. Therefore, to help new teen drivers develop safe driving habits during their first few years behind the wheel, the State of Georgia has implemented a graduated driver license program for Georgia drivers who are between the ages of 15-18.

We’ve summarized a few things you’ll need to know as you go begin your process of becoming a licensed driver in Georgia.

Georgia Instruction Permit (aka-- Learners Permit)

You must be at least 15 years old to be eligible for an instruction permit in Georgia. When you’re ready to take your written drivers test, you will need to bring the following items with you to your local DMV office:

• A signed, parental-consent form
• An out-of-state license (if you have one)
• An original birth certificate or certified naturalization papers
• Proof of residency in Georgia
• Social Security card
• $10 (permit fee)
• Proof of Enrollment in School (via a completed Georgia DDS Certificate of Attendance Form)

In addition to a vision test, you will need to take and pass two (2) written tests: one on road signs and one on road rules. If you pass both of them, you will be issued a Georgia instruction permit, which is valid for 24 months.

Please know that you may not drive alone with an instruction permit.  The law requires you to have a licensed driver, at least 21 years of age sitting next to you in the front passenger seat at all times when you drive.

Your First Georgia Driver's License

After you’ve had your Georgia instruction permit for one (1) year, you’re ready to upgrade to a Georgia intermediate license provided you have met the following prerequisites:

• You have held a Georgia instruction permit for at least one year plus one day (bring it with you to the test site).
• You’ve completed a state-approved drivers education course.

You will need to schedule an appointment to take your road test by calling your local Georgia DDS office.

Before you head down to the Georgia DDS office, you will need to gather up/take care of a few things:

• Your Georgia instruction permit
• Social Security card
• A signed affidavit stating that you have completed 40 hours of driving (including at least 6 hours at night)
• Proof of completion (a paper copy) of a state-approved drivers education course.  If you took a state-approved online drivers education course, you and your parent will also need to complete the Parent-Teen Driving Guide (see Georgia’s DDS website for details).
• Bring your Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program card
• $10 for the license fee
• Georgia DDS Certificate of Attendance, notarized, from your school
• Bring your parent/guardian with you to the DDS office.

If you pass both a vision test and the road test, you will be issued an intermediate driver’s license. There are still some restrictions which will apply to you:

• No driving between 12 midnight and 6am unless you have a licensed, 21-year-old driver sitting next to you in the front passenger seat.
• During the first 6 months, you may not carry any passengers (other than immediate family).
• During the second 6 months, you may carry only one (1) non-family passenger who is under the age of 21.
• After 1 year, you may drive with up to 3 non-family passengers who are under the age of 21.

When you turn 18, these restrictions will be removed and you will receive a Class C Drivers License (provided you have had a clean driving record!).

Georgia Auto Insurance & Financial Responsibility Laws

State law requires that you carry auto insurance liability coverage on any vehicle you drive. For details as to how much coverage is required, please contact the Georgia DDS.

If you are found to be driving without the mandated amount of liability insurance, you could have your license suspended and face a huge fine.

Georgia Drunk Driving Laws

If you drive under the influence of alcohol in Georgia, you will face very serious consequences. Upon your FIRST conviction of a Georgia DUI, you will be facing the following penalties:

• Jail time ranging from 10 days to 1 year.
• A fine ranging from $500 to $1,000
• 1-year suspension of your drivers license
• A license reinstatement fee of $210
• 100 hours of community service
  

Further DUI convictions will result in more severe penalties including extended time in jail, fines, and the revocation of your drivers license.

Georgia Cell Phone & Text Messaging Laws

There are currently no laws which prohibit the use of text-messaging or talking on a cell phone while driving in Georgia.

Georgia Online Driver Education

If you are 16 or 17 and are applying for an intermediate drivers license, you may skip the required road test so long as you’ve completed a state-approved drivers education course. Please visit the Georgia DDS website for a list of approved drivers ed courses.