Getting a Georgia Driver's License

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Georgia Class C license is the standard non-commercial credential for passenger vehicles. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) issues the card at any of its roughly 65 Customer Service Centers. Adult applicants 18 and over can apply directly; teens follow Georgia's TADRA graduated-license path with Joshua's Law.

Eligibility

The minimum age for an unrestricted Georgia Class C license is 18. Drivers 17 with full TADRA completion (a permit held 12 months, 40 supervised hours including 6 at night, no major moving violations) can move to a Class D provisional, and from Class D to a full Class C at age 18. Drivers 18 and older can apply for the Class C directly.

Documents to bring

Georgia DDS uses the federally compliant document set under the REAL ID Act. Bring at least one item from each category:

Proof of identity and date of birth — original U.S. birth certificate (with raised seal), valid U.S. passport, or USCIS document.
Proof of Social Security number — Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-1099.
Two proofs of Georgia residency — utility bill, bank statement, lease, mortgage statement, voter registration, or bank/credit card statement, dated within the last 6 months.
Proof of citizenship or lawful presence — birth certificate, U.S. passport, or USCIS-issued document.

Georgia issues a REAL ID-compliant license by default — there's no separate "non-compliant" option. The card carries a small star in the upper right.

Fees

Class C 8-year license (ages 18-59): $32.
Class C 5-year license (ages 60+): $20.
Knowledge test: included in the license fee.
Road skills test: included in the license fee for first attempt; $10 for each retake.

Knowledge test

You'll take a 40-question multiple-choice exam covering road rules and 20 questions covering road signs. You must score 80% or higher on each section to pass. The test is drawn from the current Georgia Driver's Manual and is offered in English, Spanish, French, and several other languages depending on the CSC. Topics that trip up applicants most: the difference between a green arrow and a flashing yellow arrow, school-zone rules, the move-over law for emergency vehicles, and Georgia's hands-free phone law (Georgia is a primary-enforcement state for distracted driving).

Road skills test

The behind-the-wheel exam runs 15-20 minutes and covers parallel parking, three-point turns, controlled stops, lane changes with proper signaling, and a 5-10 minute drive in moderate traffic. Bring a registered, insured vehicle with current Georgia plates and proof of liability insurance. Some CSCs accept third-party road-test certificates from licensed driving schools, which can save applicants from waiting weeks for a DDS road-test slot.

Common reasons applicants fail

Rolling through a stop sign instead of coming to a complete stop.
Failing to check mirrors and head before changing lanes.
Driving too far below the speed limit, which Georgia treats as an automatic fail at 10+ mph under in a normal-flow lane.
Striking a curb during parallel parking.
Not signaling at every turn or lane change.

License delivery

You receive a paper temporary license at the CSC valid for 45 days. The permanent card is mailed in 7-15 business days from the central production facility. If your card hasn't arrived after 30 days, request a duplicate at no cost through DDS Online Services. The Class C card is valid for 8 years for ages 18-59 and 5 years for ages 60 and older.

For broader comparisons, see the national driver's license guide.