AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVING IN GEORGIA
The state of Georgia has a graduated driver’s license program known as the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act, or TADRA (also known as Joshua’s Law). This act allows young drivers aged 15 to 18 years old to begin the three-step process to obtain a graduated driver’s license (GDL). Seeing as there are several licensing stages, each one has specific requirements.
Each stage of the GDL program in Georgia has a minimum age requirement, as well as required practice driver training hours. For instance:
The first step in TADRA is the INSTRUCTIONAL PERMIT, or CP. You can only apply for an Instructional Permit at the age of 15 years old.
The second step in TADRA is the INTERMEDIATE/PROVISIONAL LICENSE, or Class D license. You can only apply for an Intermediate License between the ages of 16 and 18 years old.
The third step in TADRA is the FULL LICENSE, or Class C license. You can only apply for a Full License at the age of 18 years old.
Below, we will have a detailed look at each step of the TADRA.
APPLYING AT THE AGE OF 15 FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL PERMIT
The first step before being able to apply for a Full License is applying for an Instructional Permit, also known as a Learner’s Permit. This can be done at the age of 15, by visiting a DDS center. The State of Georgia has strict age requirements for driving seeing as the main objective is to mold new drivers to be experienced and to avoid high-risk driving situations.
HOW TO ACQUIRE A PROVISIONAL LICENSE AT THE AGE OF 16 OR 17
The second step before being able to apply for a Full License is to apply for an Intermediate/Provisional License. At the age of 16, you are eligible for a Class D Provisional License if you have met the following criteria:
You have passed your vision and DMV driving test.
You have completed an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP), which is usually offered from your high school.
You have successfully completed a Georgia Department of Driver Services approved Driver's Education course (online or in a classroom). If you want you can complete this ga drivers ed online
You have accumulated 40 hours of supervised driving (6 hours at night).
You have held your Instructional Permit for at least 1 year and one day.
If you do not want to complete the Driver’s Education course, you may still apply for an Intermediate/Provisional License; however, you must wait until you are 17 years old. You must also meet the following criteria:
You have passed your vision and DMV driving test.
You have completed an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP), which is usually offered from your high school.
You have accumulated 40 hours of supervised driving.
You have held your Instructional Permit for at least 1 year and one day.
It is important to keep in mind that despite not taking a Driver’s Ed. course, there are certain restrictions that must be followed such as not driving between the hours of 12 am to 6 am and certain passenger limitations.
RESTRICTIONS WHILE HOLDING AN INTERMEDIATE-PROVISIONAL LICENSE
While holding a Class D Provisional License, there are major traffic convictions that must be avoided. During a period of 12 months, the following violations must not be made:
Trying to elude an officer of the law.
Hit and run case.
Reckless driving in public.
Any kind of drag racing.
Driving aggressively.
Passing a school bus unlawfully.
Exceeding the speed limit by 24 mph or much more.
Passing improperly near a curve or hill.
Purchasing alcohol and drinking during driving.
Using the false information to buy alcoholic drinks.
Using wireless devices while driving (tablets, cell phones, computers, etc.).
Losing 4 or more points on a driver’s license.
APPLYING FOR A FULL DRIVER’S LICENSE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA – IN PERSON
You can apply for a Georgia State-Approved Full Driver’s License at the Georgia DDS, by meeting certain requirements and presenting the following documents:
If you are at least 18 years old – you do not need to hold a learner’s permit before applying for your first full license.
Documents to prove your identity, such as your passport or U.S certified birth certificate.
Documents that help verify your Social Security Numbers (SSN), such as your social security card or a W-2 form with your name and part of the SSN.
At least 2 documents that help prove your Georgia residency, such as a utility bill or financial statement that is dated within the last 2 years.
You must pay a driver’s license fee.
Pass all the exams and tests approved by the Georgia state DDS.
Have a photo taken.
APPLYING FOR A FULL DRIVER’S LICENSE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA – ONLINE
You can also apply for a Full License online, by visiting the Georgia DDS official website (https://dds.georgia.gov). For this, you will need to go through the following steps:
A DDS online account must be created.
You must have a Class D Intermediate License that has never been suspended, revoked or canceled.
You can only apply if you are 18 years old, or 7 days before your 18th birthday.
The applicant must be a U.S citizen and a resident of the state of Georgia.
All fees must be paid. The Full License is valid for 8 years and will be received within 7 days.
RENEWING A LICENSE FOR SENIOR DRIVERS
Those who are 64 years and older and have an expired driver’s license can renew their license at the local Georgia DDS. A vision test must be completed, as well as a written knowledge test in certain cases.
SURRENDERING A DRIVER’S LICENSE
Some people tend to stop driving once they have reached a certain age. In these case, a person can surrender their license easily by presenting an Affidavit for Voluntary Surrender form (DDS- 577) to the Georgia state DDS. You will also need to make an application for an ID. Once a license is surrendered, if an individual would ever want it to be restored, a retesting might be required.
