Georgia driver's license requirements depend on your age and whether you already hold a license from another state

To get a Georgia driver's license, you will need to pass a written test on traffic laws, pass a road test, and bring specific documents to the Department of Driver Services office. The documents you bring and the tests you take vary based on whether you are a new driver, a teenager, or someone moving to Georgia from out of state. Georgia does not issue licenses to people under 16, but does offer a learner's permit starting at 15.

The process takes place at a local DDS office, not online or by mail. You cannot renew a Georgia license online unless you already hold one and meet specific conditions — most new applicants must visit in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring your Social Security card, proof of Georgia residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your legal name and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or passport) to any DDS office.
  • Georgia issues learner's permits to people 15 and older, which allow supervised driving before you take the road test for a full license.
  • The written test covers Georgia traffic laws and road signs; the road test is conducted by a DDS examiner at a local office.
  • If you hold a valid driver's license from another state, you may not need to retake the written test, but you will still need to pass the road test and bring your out-of-state license to the DDS office.
  • Georgia charges a fee for the license; the amount depends on the type of license and how long it is valid.

Documents you must bring to the DDS office

Georgia requires three categories of documents: proof of your Social Security number, proof of your legal name and date of birth, and proof that you live in Georgia. You do not need all documents in all categories — you need one from each.

For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub with your full Social Security number. For legal name and date of birth, bring a birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a passport card, or a military ID. For Georgia residency, bring a utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government check addressed to you at your Georgia address. The residency document must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days.

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a Georgia ID card, but not a driver's license.

Learner's permit requirements for teenagers

A Georgia learner's permit allows you to drive under supervision before you are ready for the road test. You can get a learner's permit at 15 years old. To get one, you must pass the written test on traffic laws and road signs, bring the same documents as you would for a driver's license, and pay the permit fee.

With a learner's permit, you must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old in the front seat with you at all times. You cannot drive alone, and you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You can hold a learner's permit for up to five years, but most people move to a full license within months or a year.

After you have held your learner's permit for at least one month, you can schedule a road test. Some teenagers hold the permit longer to practice before testing. The road test is the same whether you have held the permit for one month or one year.

The written test and road test

The written test covers Georgia traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Georgia Driver's Manual, which is free and available at any DDS office or online through the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. The test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 30 correctly to pass. You get one attempt per visit to the DDS office.

The road test is conducted by a DDS examiner at a local office. The examiner will ask you to perform basic driving tasks — starting the car, turning, parking, stopping, and following traffic laws. The test usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes. You must bring the vehicle you will be tested in, and it must be in safe working condition with valid registration and insurance. If you fail the road test, you can schedule another attempt, usually within a few weeks.

If you already hold a valid driver's license from another state, Georgia may waive the written test. Bring your out-of-state license to the DDS office to ask. You will still need to pass the road test and bring all required documents.

Fees and how long a Georgia license lasts

Georgia charges different fees depending on the type of license and how long it is valid. A learner's permit costs less than a full driver's license. A driver's license is valid for either 4 years or 8 years, depending on which you choose; the 8-year license costs more upfront but is cheaper per year. The exact fee amounts change periodically, so check the Georgia Department of Driver Services website or call your local DDS office for current prices.

You can renew your Georgia license online if you already hold one, your license is not expired by more than two years, and you have not had any address changes. If any of those conditions do not explore, you must renew in person at a DDS office.

Moving to Georgia from another state

If you move to Georgia and already hold a valid driver's license from another state, you have 30 days to get a Georgia license. You do not have to wait until your out-of-state license expires. Bring your out-of-state license, your Social Security card, proof of your legal name and date of birth, and proof of Georgia residency to a DDS office.

Georgia may waive the written test if your out-of-state license is valid and you have held it for at least one year. You will still need to pass the road test. If your out-of-state license has expired, you will need to pass both the written test and the road test, just as a new driver would.

What to do if you cannot visit a DDS office in person

Georgia does not offer remote testing or mail-in licensing for new drivers or people who need a road test. You must visit a DDS office in person. However, if you already hold a valid Georgia license and meet the conditions for online renewal, you can renew without visiting an office.

DDS offices are located throughout Georgia. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. Some offices are busier than others; calling ahead can tell you how long the wait is likely to be. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations do accept them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Georgia driver's license if I do not have a Social Security number?

No, a Social Security number is required for a Georgia driver's license. However, you can get a Georgia ID card without one if you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). A Georgia ID card is not a driver's license and does not allow you to drive, but it serves as a form of identification.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You can schedule another road test attempt, usually within a few weeks. There is a fee for each attempt. You do not need to retake the written test unless your learner's permit has expired. Between attempts, practice driving with a licensed adult to work on the skills the examiner noted.

Do I need to take the written test if I move to Georgia with a valid out-of-state license?

Georgia may waive the written test if your out-of-state license is valid and you have held it for at least one year. You will still need to pass the road test and bring your out-of-state license to the DDS office. If your license has expired, you must take both tests.

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

You receive a temporary paper license at the DDS office on the day you pass the road test. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. The temporary license is valid while you wait for the permanent one.

Can I renew my Georgia license online?

You can renew online only if you already hold a valid Georgia license, your license is not expired by more than two years, and you have not changed your address. If any of those do not explore, you must renew in person at a DDS office.