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Apply for a driver’s license in Georgia if you are over 18 years of age
You will need to gather several documents and take them to a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office.
If you are at least 18 years of age, you do not need to have a learner’s permit before applying for your full Georgia driver’s license, unless you want to practice driving before your driver’s test.
If you have a provisional license, it will convert to a full Class C driver’s license when you turn 18.
You can apply for a driver’s license in person at a Georgia DDS office. You must:
- Provide documentation of identity, residence, and legal presence.
- Pay the driver’s license fee of $32 for 8 years.
- Pass a vision test.
- Pass a Georgia written driving test.
- Pass a driving skills test.
Visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services website for a complete list of accepted documents .
Apply for a new license in Georgia if you are under 18 years of age
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires drivers under the age of 18 to go through a graduated driver license (GDL) process to help you become a safer driver.
Georgia Driver’s License Age Requirements
- Instruction permit: 15 years.
- Intermediate License: Age 16 , if you complete an approved Driver’s Ed course. Age 17 , if you do not complete Driver’s Ed.
- Full driver’s license: 18 years old.
Georgia Instruction Permit
If you are at least 15 years of age, you can apply for an instruction permit by visiting a DDS Customer Service Center in person.
You must bring:
- Your parent, guardian or authorized Driver’s Education instructor to sign your application.
- A completed Certificate of Attendance (Form DS-1) dated within the last 30 days, or a high school diploma or GED.
- Documents that meet the state’s identity, residency, and legal presence requirements.
- $10 fee.
You must also approve:
- An eye exam.
- A written DMV test.
With your Georgia instruction permit, you can drive with a licensed driver who:
- At least 21 years of age.
- Watchful and alert so they can take control if necessary.
- Sitting in the passenger seat.
You must have your instruction permit for at least 12 months and during this time you must:
- Successfully complete driver’s education and log at least 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including 6 hours at night.
If you do not take an approved driver’s education class, you will have to wait until you are 17 years old to get your provisional license.
Get a Georgia provisional license
To apply for your provisional driver’s license, visit a DDS Customer Service Center with:
- Your parent, guardian, or authorized Driver Education Instructor who can sign:
- Your request.
- A statement to confirm your 40 hours of supervised driving.
- A completed Certificate of Attendance (Form DS-1) dated within the last 30 days (or a high school diploma or GED if you have graduated).
- Identity documents, residence, legal presence.
- $10 fee.
You will also have to pass:
- An eye exam.
- A DMV driving skills test (driving test).
While you have your provisional driver’s license, you must follow the following restrictions:
- You may ONLY drive between 6 am and midnight.
- Passenger restrictions:
- For the first 6 months: Immediate family members ONLY.
- For the second 6 months: no more than 1 passenger under the age of 21 who is not an immediate family member.
- After 1 year from the date of issue: No more than 3 passengers under the age of 21 who are not immediate family members.
Unrestricted Georgia Driver’s License
To qualify for your unrestricted GA driver’s license, also called a Class C license, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- I have not received any convictions for major traffic violations in the last 12 months.
You can apply for your GA driver’s license:
- Online.
- In person.
Fees for a driver’s license are $32 for 8 years.
Driver’s License Cost and Expiration Dates in Georgia
Condition | The cost of the driver’s license | expires in |
Georgia | $32 | Eight years |
For more details and the most up-to-date fees, visit the official DMV website: https://dds.georgia.gov/