What documents Georgia requires for a driver license

Georgia requires you to bring six categories of documents to the Department of Driver Services office: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of Georgia residency, proof of legal presence in the United States, your current out-of-state license (if you have one), and payment for the license fee. You do not need all six documents — you need one from each category. The state accepts many different documents in each category, so you likely already have what you need at home.

The fee for a Class D driver license (the standard license for regular driving) is $32 for an eight-year license. If you are under 21, the license costs $20 and expires when you turn 21. Payment is cash, check, or card at the office.

Key Takeaways

  • You need one document from each of six categories: identity, Social Security number, Georgia residency, legal presence, current license, and payment.
  • A passport, birth certificate, or military ID all work for identity; a Social Security card or W-2 works for your Social Security number.
  • For Georgia residency, a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works, and it must show your current address.
  • You must pass a vision test and a written knowledge test at the Department of Driver Services office on the day you explore.
  • If you are under 18, you must first hold a learner's permit for at least 12 months and one day before you can take the road test for a full license.

Proof of identity documents Georgia accepts

For identity, Georgia accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a tribal ID card, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. The document must show your full legal name and date of birth. If you use a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy — a photocopy or a hospital record does not work.

If your name has changed since your identity document was issued (through marriage, divorce, or court order), bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Department of Driver Services will not issue a license under a different name without proof of the legal change.

Proof of Social Security number and legal presence

For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. The document must show your full name and full Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a standard Georgia driver license, but you may be able to get an ITIN driver license if you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

For legal presence in the United States, bring a U.S. passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, a permanent resident card (green card), an employment authorization document, or a visa. The document must be unexpired or expired no more than two years ago. If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring the document that shows your legal status — the state will not issue a standard license without proof of legal presence.

Proof of Georgia residency

For Georgia residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your current Georgia address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, an insurance policy, or a government check. The document must show your full name and your current street address — a P.O. box does not count as proof of residency.

If you recently moved to Georgia and do not yet have a document in your name at your new address, bring two documents that together show your move: your old residency document from your previous state and a new document showing your Georgia address, such as a lease you just signed. The lease does not need to be dated within 60 days if you are moving in soon.

What happens at the Department of Driver Services office

When you arrive at the office with your documents, staff will check that everything is in order and take a photo and fingerprints. You will then take a vision test — you must be able to read the eye chart at the required distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to the test.

Next, you will take a written knowledge test on Georgia traffic laws and road signs. The test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 30 correctly to pass. You can study the official Georgia Driver's Manual online at the Department of Driver Services website before you go. If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day or come back another day.

If you pass both tests, you will receive a temporary license that day, valid for 30 days while the state mails your permanent license. The permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

Special rules if you are under 18

If you are under 18, you must first get a learner's permit and hold it for at least 12 months and one day before you can take a road test for a full license. To get a learner's permit, bring the same six categories of documents and pass the written knowledge test and vision test. You do not take a road test for the permit.

With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed driver 21 or older is in the front seat with you. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. After you have held the permit for 12 months and one day, you can schedule a road test with a Department of Driver Services examiner. The road test costs $20 and takes about 15 minutes. If you pass, you receive a full Class D license.

Renewing or replacing a Georgia driver license

A Class D license is valid for eight years. You can renew online through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes. Online renewal costs $32 and takes about a week.

If your license is expired, lost, or stolen, you must go to a Department of Driver Services office in person. Bring proof of identity and residency. A replacement license costs $20. If your license was stolen, you may also want to file a police report, though it is not required to get a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital copy of my documents instead of the original?

No. The Department of Driver Services requires original documents or certified copies. You can bring a photocopy of your Social Security card or other documents, but you must also bring the original so staff can verify it matches. For birth certificates, you must bring a certified copy from the vital records office — a photocopy does not work.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot get a standard Georgia driver license without a Social Security number. If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you may be able to get an ITIN driver license instead. Contact your local Department of Driver Services office to ask whether you meet the requirements and what documents to bring.

How long does it take to get a Georgia driver license after I pass the tests?

You receive a temporary license the same day you pass the vision and knowledge tests. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you need your license sooner, some offices offer expedited mail for an additional fee — ask at the office when you explore.

Do I need to take the written test again if I already have a license from another state?

Yes. Even if you have a valid out-of-state license, you must pass Georgia's written knowledge test and vision test to get a Georgia license. You do not need to take a road test if your out-of-state license is valid and you are 18 or older.

What if my name on my documents does not match exactly?

Minor differences (like "Robert" versus "Bob") usually work if your identity document and other documents show the same legal name. If the names are significantly different, bring a document proving the legal change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Call your local Department of Driver Services office before you go if you are unsure.