, you must be 18 years old. You can apply for your learner’s permit when you are 15 and receive a restricted provisional license at 16—but you’ll need to meet the Georgia Department of Driver Services requirements first!

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Georgia learner’s permit—but if you qualify for a hardship license, you can get one at 14.
Georgia’s graduated license program requires you to have a learner’s permit for at least one year and one day before you can apply for a provisional license.
All teen drivers under 18 are subject to license restrictions when driving.
Drivers over 18 applying for a license for the first time do not need a provisional driver’s license—they can directly apply for a full Georgia driver’s license.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about Georgia’s driving laws

What is the driving age in Georgia?

The minimum driving age in Georgia is 15 years old. Once you turn 15, you can apply for a Georgia learner’s or instructional permit. You must have your learner’s permit for a minimum of 1 year and 1 day before you can apply for a

provisional driver’s license

. If you have satisfied the requirements for a provisional license, you can 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’re ready to hit the open road, head over to the Georgia Department of Driver Services website and submit the

Online License/ID/Permit form

. Before you can get your permit, you’ll need to 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 (it can be in your parent’s or guardian’s name)

Proof of citizenship or lawful status in the U.S.

Proof of school enrollment if under 18, such as a school transcript, current school identification card, most recent progress or grade report, etc.

You’ll also need to have your full Social Security Number ready to enter on the required online License/ID/Permit Form.

All documents must have your first and last name. You will present the above documents to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (GA DDS).

At your Georgia DDS appointment, you must:

Show all of your documents

Pass a

vision test

Pass a

knowledge exam

Take a photo

Pay the $10 permit fee

Young drivers will need to bring a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult with you to your appointment if you’re under 18. This person can request that your license be revoked any time before your 18th birthday—so choose them wisely!

Pro Tip: 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 your documents, pass all applicable tests, and pay the permit fee, you’ll be granted your learner’s permit—Congratulations!

We know you’re excited to hit the ground running, but there are a few

Georgia driving laws

to be mindful of before you race off. With your learner’s permit, you may only drive in a vehicle with someone who is:

Licensed, at least 21 years of age, and seated in the passenger seat

Fully equipped to take control of the motor 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 one year and one day and have gained some driving experience, you may apply for your Class D provisional license.

Keep in mind that provisional licenses aren’t required for adults over 18 who are applying for a driver’s license. If you’re 18 or older, you may be eligible to apply for a

full driver’s 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 one year and one day

You must not have had any major traffic 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 identity

Proof of residence

Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status

Proof of school enrollment

ADAP or eADAP

certificate of completion

Certificate of completion of an approved driver education course, which must be completed at a

DDS-certified driving school

After you show your documentation, you must:

Pass a vision test

Pass the road skills driving test

Take a photo

Pay the $10 permit fee

Surrender your permit

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 specific 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 can upgrade your provisional license for a full Georgia driver’s license. You may upgrade your license from a D to a Class C license (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

Emancipated minors

To apply for a hardship license:

Provide evidence of the hardship

Provide proof of identity

Complete an application

Pass a vision test and knowledge exam

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FAQ

Can you get a Georgia driver’s license at 16?

You can get a Class D provisional license at 16 in Georgia, as long as you’ve held your permit for at least one year and one day, show proof of completing a DDS-certified driver education course, and pass all applicable tests.

Can you drive by yourself at 17 in Georgia?

Yes—If you have your provisional driver’s license in Georgia, you may drive alone. However, you are not allowed to drive between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. until you have your full license at 18.

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