If you are interested in getting your driver’s license, there are certain steps you must take before you apply. Keep reading to learn more about what steps you can take to get your Georgia driver’s license under Joshua’s Law!
What is a Class D license?
Different driver’s licenses can be used to operate different vehicle types. A Class D license allows the license holder to drive a passenger vehicle, van, or small truck.
How can i get my license?
School Enrollment Required
First, no person under the age of 18 can obtain a driver’s license or instructional permit unless they are enrolled in a public school, a private school, or home school; or graduated from high school; or completed their secondary education and are enrolled in post-secondary school.
Permit Required
The earliest you can receive your learner’s permit is 15 years of age. All teens must hold a learner’s permit for 1 year and 1 day before being issued a Class D license. A learner’s permit is required for behind-the-wheel training. This means you must have a learner’s permit to complete your driver education requirement and, ultimately, obtain your license.
To obtain your learner’s permit, you must present certain documents. The steps you must take include the following:
- Provide documentation showing your identity, residential address, and US citizenship or proof of lawful status in the United States. Your full Social Security Number must be provided on the required online License/ID/Permit Form.
- If you are under the age of 18, you must provide proof of school enrollment.
- You must surrender any out-of-state driver’s license, permit, or ID Card.
- All presented documents must be in English.
After presenting the necessary documentation, you must do the following to obtain your learner’s permit:
- Pass a vision exam.
- Take and pass a knowledge exam.
- Pay a $10.00 permit fee.
- Applicants under age 18 must bring a Parent/Guardian, Responsible Adult, or Authorized Driver Training Instructor to sign the License/ID/Permit Form. The Responsible Adult must provide paperwork to show their relationship.
How can I satisfy the Driver Education requirement under Joshua’s Law?
Once you have obtained your permit,“Teen Driver Education-Senate Bill 226,” also known as “Joshua’s Law,” requires anyone 16 years of age applying for a Class D Driver’s license to complete an approved driver education course with a certified driver training school using one of the following methods:
Method 1:
- 30 hours of classroom instruction
- 6 hours behind the wheel training at a certified school
- 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian (6 hours of the 40 hours must be at night)
Method 2:
- 30 hours of classroom instruction at a certified school
- 40 hours of parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. Use the Parent/TeenDriving Guide (includes 40 hours of supervised driving with parent or guardian)
Method 3:
- 30 hours of online instruction with a certified virtual program
- 6 hours behind the wheel training at a certified school
- 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian (6 hours of the 40 hours must be at night)
Method 4:
- 30 hours of online instruction with a certified virtual program
- 40 hours of parent-taught behind-the-wheel training
- Use the Parent/Teen Driving Guide (includes 40 hours of supervised driving with parent or guardian)
Under Joshua’s Law, if you are 17 years of age applying for a Class D Driver’s license, you must satisfy the same requirements as a 16-year-old.
It is important to remember that a driving log is not required for supervised driving or parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. But a parent or guardian must be present when applying for the license at the Department of Driver Services. The parent must attest to the teen’s completion of the behind-the-wheel training.
Where can I find driver education courses?
Various high schools and private driving schools offer Georgia Department of Driver Services-approved driver education courses. Prices generally start at around $250. The Georgia Department of Driver Services also has approved online virtual programs at a lower cost than in-person courses.
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