Georgia Teen Driving Laws, Insurance Requirements & Drivers License

The State of Georgia Graduated License System

In 2007 the State of Georgia passed Joshua's Law.

This bill changed the process that a teen driver goes through to receive a driver license.

In addition, the �Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act� (TADRA) has established a step by step graduated driver license system that minimizes high risk situations for the teen driver and increases supervision and involvement of a licensed adult driver.

The Instructional Permit The First Step

You must be a minimum of 15 years old to apply for a Class C instructional permit in the State of Georgia .

When applying for your permit you will need either an original birth certificate or certified copy of your birth certificate.

You must have a Social Security Number to apply for an instructional permit and pass an eye and knowledge test.

The knowledge test will cover road signs and general rules of the road.

The information in this test is covered in the Georgia driver's manual.

When applying for an instructional permit, the teen driver must have their application signed by a parent or legal guardian.

The applicant must also have a �Georgia DDS Certificate of Attendance� from their school.

Any teen applicant under the age of 18 must provide this certificate of attendance or bring proof of graduation such as a High School Diploma or GED.

If the teen applicant (under 18) for the instructional permit has left school without graduation, has conduct infractions, or has a total of 10 unexcused absences from school they will not be allowed to apply for the instructional permit.

The instructional permit is valid for 2 years from the date it was issued.

Teen drivers with an instructional permit must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older with a Class C driver license.

The Intermediate License Step 2

Teen drivers 16 years of age can apply for the Class D intermediate license if they have held the instructional permit for 1 year and passed a driving test.

Applicants for the Class D intermediate license must complete a 30 hour approved driver education program and a 6 hour state approved driving course prior to receiving the license.

In addition to these requirements, teen drivers must also have a minimum of 40 hours of driving under supervision.

Six of the 40 hours must be nighttime driving.

These requirements are part of �Joshua's Law� that went into effect in January of 2007.

If the Class D intermediate License applicant is 17 years of age the driver's education portion of these requirements are not mandatory.

Class D Intermediate License Restrictions

Teen drivers issued a State of Georgia Class D intermediate license cannot drive between the hours of 12:00 am and 6 am.

During the first 6 months the intermediate license holder cannot carry any passengers outside of their immediate family.

After 6 months has passed the license holder can drive with one non-family passenger under the age of 21.

After 1 year, the intermediate license holder may drive with up to 3 non-family passengers under the age of 21.

Full Class C Driver License The Third Step

If the teen driver (18 or older) is holding a Class D license and has been without any major traffic convictions for the previous year they will be granted a Full Class C Driver License.