Georgia Teen Driving Laws, Insurance Requirements, and Driver's License

In 2007, Joshua's Law—which changed the process for a teen driver to get a driver's license—took effect in Georgia. In addition, Georgia's Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA) established a step-by-step graduated driver licensing system.

What Is Georgia's Graduated License System?

Georgia's graduated license system has the following steps that a teen must complete to obtain a full license:

• Step one: Learner's permit.
• Step two: Intermediate provisional license.
• Step three: Full driver's license.

Each licensing step has its own requirements and restrictions. At the learner's permit phase, teen drivers first gain experience driving with an adult's supervision. After completing several requirements—including a driver's education class and a driver's test—teen drivers can obtain an intermediate license at age 16. They then can drive without supervision, but there will be some restrictions on their driving. At age 18, teens who have an intermediate license and a clean driving record can obtain a full driver's license.

How Do You Get a Learner's Permit in Georgia?

The driver must be a minimum of 15 years old to apply for a Class C learner's permit in Georgia. The application process includes the following requirements:

• proof of identity and proof of citizenship or lawful status in the United States (a birth certificate, passport or passport card, or other document that complies with REAL ID requirements)
• possession of a Social Security number
• passing a vision test
• passing a knowledge test that covers road signs and general rules of the road (the information in this test is covered in the Georgia driver's manual)
• having a parent or legal guardian present to sign the application
• proof of school enrollment (a Georgia DDS certificate of school enrollment, a report card, school ID card, or transcript) or proof of being home schooled, and
• proof of graduation, such as a high school diploma or GED (for any applicant under the age of 18 who isn't in school).

The learner's permit is valid for 2 years from the date it was issued. Teen drivers with a learner's permit must be accompanied and supervised by an adult 21 years of age or older with a Class C driver license.

How Do You Get an Intermediate License in Georgia?

Teen drivers who are 16 years of age can apply for the Class D intermediate provisional license if they have held the learner's permit for one year and one day and have passed a driving test.

Class D Intermediate License Requirements

• Applicants for the Class D intermediate license must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of driving at a driver education program certified by the state.
• In addition to these requirements, teen drivers must also have a minimum of 40 hours of driving under supervision.
• Of the 40 hours, 6 must be at night.
• When applying for the intermediate license, the applicant must provide proof of residency, identity, citizenship (or lawful status), and school enrollment. (See the above section on learner's permits for details.)

Class D Intermediate License Restrictions

• Teen drivers issued a Georgia Class D intermediate license can't drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• During the first 6 months, the intermediate license holder can't carry any passengers outside of their immediate family.
• After 6 months, 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.

How Do You Get a Full Class C Driver's License in Georgia?

If a teen driver who is 18 or older has a Class D intermediate license and has had no major traffic convictions for the previous year, they will be granted a Full Class C Driver License.

Do Permit Drivers Need Insurance in Georgia?

Teen drivers don't need a liability insurance if they have only a learner's permit. But Georgia requires all drivers with an intermediate license or full license to have liability insurance.

The state also requires motor vehicle owners to maintain continuous liability insurance on their vehicles.

• Proof of insurance is required to receive a Georgia license plate tag or to renew, transfer, or replace an existing Georgia license plate tag.
• It's against the law to have an uninsured vehicle.
• The Department of Revenue will suspend or revoke your vehicle registration if continuous Georgia liability insurance isn't maintained.
• You might be subject to vehicle impoundment and a fine if you're in an accident and don't have current Georgia liability insurance.

Other Georgia Information

• SR22 Insurance
• Georgia Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws
• Georgia Drunk Driving Laws, Penalties and Fines