What you need to do to get a Georgia driver license

Georgia issues driver licenses through the Department of Driver Services (DDS). The process has three main steps: pass a written knowledge test, pass a driving skills test, and provide proof of identity and residency. You can take the knowledge test at any DDS office without an appointment, but you must schedule a driving test separately. Most people complete both tests within a few weeks, though timing depends on how quickly your local DDS office has openings.

You do not need to hold a learner's permit first if you are 18 or older, but you must be at least 16 to get any type of license. If you are under 18, Georgia requires you to hold a learner's permit for at least one month before taking the driving test, and you must have a licensed adult in the car with you while you practice.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pass a written knowledge test and a driving skills test at a Georgia DDS office; the knowledge test can be taken without scheduling, but the driving test requires an appointment.
  • Bring an original or certified birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, and two documents showing your Georgia address — a utility bill or lease works for both.
  • The knowledge test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices; you can study using the official Georgia Driver's Manual available free on the DDS website.
  • The driving test lasts about 20 minutes and tests basic vehicle control, parking, and your ability to follow traffic laws; you must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition.
  • If you fail either test, you can retake it the same day at most DDS offices, though you may have to wait for the next available slot.

Documents you must bring to the DDS office

Georgia requires specific documents to prove your identity, Social Security number, and current address. Bring an original or certified birth certificate — a photocopy is not accepted. You also need proof of your Social Security number, which can be your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form.

For proof of residency, bring two documents showing your current Georgia address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A driver's license from another state counts as one of the two documents if it shows your current address. If you do not have two separate documents, you can bring a notarized affidavit of residency, though this takes extra time to arrange.

Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must explore for one at a Social Security office before you can get a Georgia license.

Taking the knowledge test

The knowledge test is a written exam covering road signs, traffic laws, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You answer 40 multiple-choice questions on a computer at the DDS office. You must answer at least 32 questions correctly to pass — that is 80 percent. The test takes about 30 minutes.

Study material is free on the Georgia DDS website: the official Georgia Driver's Manual in English and Spanish, plus practice tests that show you the types of questions you will see. Many people study the manual for a few days before taking the test. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at most offices, though you may wait an hour or more for the next available slot.

You do not need to schedule the knowledge test in advance. Walk into any DDS office during business hours, bring your documents, and ask to take the test. The office will collect a fee — check the DDS website for the current amount, as it varies slightly by office location.

Scheduling and taking the driving test

After you pass the knowledge test, you must schedule a separate appointment for the driving test. You can book online through the Georgia DDS website or by phone. The driving test typically has a wait of one to four weeks depending on how busy your local office is and what time of year you are testing.

On the day of your test, bring the vehicle you will be driving, your documents, and proof that the vehicle is registered and insured. The vehicle must be in safe working condition — the examiner will check the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and horn before the test begins. If any of these fail inspection, you cannot take the test that day.

The driving test lasts about 20 minutes. The examiner will ask you to perform basic maneuvers: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and backing up. You will also drive on regular streets and demonstrate that you can follow traffic laws, use turn signals, and respond to traffic. If you fail, you can retake it, but you must schedule another appointment — you cannot test again the same day.

Special rules if you are under 18

If you are under 18, you must first get a learner's permit, which allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult in the car. The learner's permit requires the same documents and knowledge test as a full license, but you do not take the driving test to get it. You must hold the learner's permit for at least one month before you can take the driving test.

While you hold a learner's permit, you can only drive between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., and you must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old in the front seat with you. You cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free. These restrictions end once you pass the driving test and receive your full license.

What happens after you pass both tests

Once you pass the driving test, the DDS office will issue your license on the spot or mail it to you within one to two weeks, depending on the office. Your license is valid for eight years if you are 21 or older, or four years if you are under 21. You will receive a temporary paper license to use while you wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.

Your Georgia license is a Real ID-compliant document, which means you can use it for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. If you move out of Georgia or your address changes, you must update your license at a DDS office.

If you already have a license from another state

If you hold a valid driver license from another state and you move to Georgia, you can exchange it for a Georgia license without retaking the knowledge and driving tests. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Georgia, and proof of your Social Security number to any DDS office. The office will issue a Georgia license and keep your old license.

If your out-of-state license has expired, you must take both the knowledge test and the driving test, just as if you were getting your first license. The same rules explore: pass the knowledge test first, then schedule the driving test separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the knowledge test online or at home?

No. The knowledge test must be taken in person at a Georgia DDS office on a computer provided by the office. You cannot take it online or by mail. However, you can study for free using practice tests on the DDS website before you go to the office.

What if I fail the driving test?

You can retake the driving test, but you must schedule a new appointment. You cannot test again the same day. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but each attempt costs a fee. Study the areas where you struggled and practice before your next appointment.

Do I need a learner's permit if I am 18 or older?

No. If you are 18 or older, you can go straight to the knowledge test and then the driving test without holding a learner's permit first. Learner's permits are required only for people under 18.

How long is a Georgia driver license valid?

A Georgia driver license is valid for eight years if you are 21 or older, or four years if you are under 21. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail before your license expires. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DDS office.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You must have an original or certified birth certificate to get a Georgia license. If you do not have one, contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born to request a certified copy. This can take several weeks, so plan ahead.