Georgia Learner's Permit (Class CP)

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

A Georgia Class CP permit is the first step in the state's TADRA — the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act — graduated licensing path. The minimum age is 15, and applicants must complete a course called ADAP (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program) before the permit will issue. The Class CP must be held for at least 12 months before the teen can apply for a Class D provisional license.

Who can apply

At least 15 years old.
Completed the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) — typically a 6-hour course offered free by Georgia public high schools or paid online through DDS-approved providers.
Parent or guardian present in person at the DDS Customer Service Center to sign the financial-responsibility certificate.
Currently enrolled in school or has earned a high school diploma or GED.

Documents to bring

Georgia DDS expects the same REAL ID document set required for an adult Class C license:

Original U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport.
Social Security card or W-2 / SSA-1099 with the full SSN.
Two proofs of Georgia residency in the parent's name (utility bill, lease, bank statement, voter registration), each dated within the last 6 months.
ADAP certificate of completion.
Certificate of School Enrollment (Form DS-1) signed by an authorized school official within the last 30 days.

Fee and validity

The Georgia Class CP fee is $10. The permit is valid for 24 months, which gives the teen the 12-month minimum hold plus extra time before the 16th birthday. There's no fee to retake the knowledge test if the applicant fails.

Knowledge test

The Class CP applicant takes the same 60-question knowledge test as adult Class C applicants — 40 questions on road rules and 20 on road signs, requiring 80% on each section. The test is offered at every DDS Customer Service Center and through DDS Online Services for at-home computer-based testing (with proctoring). DDS sometimes offers the knowledge test through partner driver-education schools as well.

Restrictions on a Class CP

Drive only with a licensed adult 21+ in the front passenger seat.
The accompanying adult must hold a valid Class C or higher license.
Hands-free or hand-held phone use prohibited; even a passenger's phone is restricted.
All occupants must wear seat belts.
Zero-tolerance BAC: any detectable amount triggers automatic suspension.

Joshua's Law and driver education

For under-18 drivers transitioning from CP to a full Class D, Joshua's Law requires:

30 hours of approved driver-education classroom theory.
40 hours of supervised practice driving with a parent or guardian, including at least 6 hours at night.
A signed parent affidavit verifying the practice hours.

The 30-hour theory portion can be completed at high school, at a commercial driving school, or through an approved online provider. DDS confirms the certificate before issuing the Class D license.

Common reasons a permit gets denied

School enrollment certificate older than 30 days at the time of application.
ADAP certificate from an unapproved provider.
Parent's residency documents don't match the address on the application.
Outstanding child-support or court-related actions on the parent's record.

For more on TADRA's national context, see the national license guide.