Driver's License Examination
The DDS examines every applicant for a driver’s license.
Applicants 18 years of age or older with a valid and current license issued by another state of the United States or the District of Columbia who surrender their previous licenses to obtain a Georgia license are only required to take an eyesight test (20/40 visual acuity required).
All other applicants are required to take both a written and on-the-road driving test as well as an eyesight test.
An applicant that fails the driving test the first time must wait until the next day to retake the test. After the second or subsequent failure, the applicant must wait 7 working days to retake the test.
Graduated Driver's Licensing
Georgia has a system of graduated licensing for novice drivers.
Individuals at least 15 years of age may apply for an instruction/learner’s permit to operate a non-commercial Class C vehicle.
- While driving, the permit holder must be accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age licensed to drive a Class C vehicle.
- Novice drivers must hold the permit for at least 12 months and 1 day and pass a road test before being eligible for an intermediate license.
- Instruction permit holders must accumulate 40 hours (including 6 at night) of supervised driving certified by a driving instructor, parent, or guardian.
Individuals at least 16 years of age may apply for an intermediate license.
- Intermediate license holders may not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. — no exceptions.
- During the first 6 months of the intermediate license, novice drivers are prohibited from transporting any non-immediate family members (secondarily enforced). During the 2nd 6 months, no more than 1 passenger under 21 (immediate family members exempt). Thereafter, intermediate license holders are prohibited from transporting more than 3 passengers who are non-family members under 21 (secondarily enforced).
At age 18, drivers are eligible for a full unrestricted license as long as they have had no major traffic convictions in the last 12 months. The intermediate license requirements apply to all applicants for an unrestricted license.
Drivers may only move from 1 stage of licensing to the next if they have completed 12 consecutive months without a conviction for 1 or more of the following: DUI, eluding a police officer, drag racing, reckless driving, hit and run, and any moving violation for which 4 or more points are assessed.
Driver education is required for all license applicants under age 17.
Driver's License Issuance/Application
The applicant is required to state whether his or her driver’s license has ever been revoked or suspended in any jurisdictions and whether he or she has any previous convictions for violation of motor vehicle laws. All applicants will be screened through the National Driver Registry, and if they are found to be in suspension, revocation, or cancellation in their former licensing jurisdiction, then their Georgia driver’s license will be subsequently suspended, revoked, or cancelled and they could be punished for the commission of a misdemeanor.
Any person who is a resident of the state for 30 days shall obtain a Georgia driver’s license before operating a motor vehicle in the state.
An applicant for an initial Georgia driver’s license or change in license class must meet Secure ID requirements. A new color photograph is required on all new licenses.
Applicants and licensees have 60 days to notify the DDS of a change of name or address.
License exemptions exist for military personnel, their spouses, and children and for non-residents who have a valid license issued by their home state. Military personnel on active duty may drive on an expired license for up to 6 months after returning to the state.
Persons under 18 years of age who have dropped out of school or been suspended or expelled may be denied a license.
A person must be 18 years of age to receive a C, E, or F non-commercial license, or a Class A, B, or C commercial license.
Social security number on license is not allowed.
Driver’s License Renewal
Every driver’s license will expire on the licensee’s birthday in 8th year. Every person age 65 and older applying for a renewal in person must successfully complete an eyesight exam. Driver’s licenses may be issued to non-citizens for their authorized period of lawful presence, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Licenses are renewable 150 days prior to expiration.
Active-duty military and full-time students (or dependent of same) living out-of-state may obtain a non-photo renewal of their Georgia driver’s license by mail.
Types of Driver's Licenses
Classes A & B: Vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more.
Class C: Any single vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 26,000 lbs. or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 lbs. and any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance. Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR not in excess of 26,000 lbs may be operated under a Class C license if operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products, livestock, farm machinery or farm supplies and are not used in the operation of a common or contract carrier.
Class D: Provisional license applicable to non-commercial Class C vehicles for which an applicant desires a driver’s license but is not presently licensed to drive.
Class E: Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds, and all vehicles included within Class F and Class C.
Class F: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds, and all vehicles included within Class C
Class P: Instructional/learner’s permit applicable to all types of vehicles for which an applicant desires a driver’s license but is not presently licensed to drive.
Class M: Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and 3-wheeled motorcycles.