georgia drivers permit - GA

Obtaining a Learner's Permit

Click here if you are not a US citizen (See Below)

All documents must be in English.  Click here Translator List to locate an approved document translation company.

Basic Requirements

• You must be at least 15 years of age.
   
• A parent or legal guardian (who must present certified guardianship court papers or adoption papers with embossed court seal) must sign for the applicant.
   
• The parent or legal guardian must present a Georgia Driver License or ID card. If the parent/guardian does not possess a Georgia License or ID card, the teen must present a standard Proof of Residency document.
   
• Any out of state permits, licenses, or ID cards must be surrendered. If the teen held a license or permit in another state, a certified Driving History, dated within the last 30 days, from the issuing state is also required.

Documents Required

• An original US birth certificate, certified copy of the US birth certificate (with embossed state seal), US certificate of birth registration, certified copy of court records (for adoption, name changes, etc.), certified naturalization records, immigration card or a Valid Passport must be presented. More identification requirement information can be found here. Hospital issued birth certificates are not acceptable.
   
• Non US citizens must present original, non-expired immigration documents. See the link at the top of the page.
   
• Applicants must know their social security number, but the original social security card is not required. An online verification (first name, last name, date of birth and social security number) with the social security records system is completed prior to issuing the permit. Non citizens may present a Social Security Denial Letter, Form SSA L676 in place of a social security number.
   
• A Georgia DDS Certificate of Attendance (DS – 1) form must be signed and notarized by your school. It is only valid for 30 days. If not attending school, applicants under the age of 18 must provide a GED diploma, high school diploma, or proof of enrollment in college. Students enrolled in an approved home school program must present a Certificate of Attendance form from the local Board of Education.

Testing Required

• The applicant must pass a vision exam.
   
• The applicant must pass a two part knowledge exam pertaining to Road Rules and Road Signs. All questions are based on material contained in the Georgia Driver’s Manual.
   
• The knowledge exam is conducted on a walk in basis only at all Customer Service Centers. Testing must begin at least 30 minutes before office close time.

The Permit

• The permit fee is $10.00, Effective January 5, 2009, the fee must be paid before the test begins; DDS accepts cash, money order, check, or credit/debit cards. The $10 fee is forfeited if you fail the test. The $10 permit fee would be paid again at the next test attempt.
   
• The permit is valid for 24 months.
   
• The permit holder is allowed to drive:
  • With a licensed driver at least 21 years old
  • The licensed driver must be seated in the front seat of the car at all times.

VERY IMPORTANT !

You may not apply for or keep a driver’s permit or license if you withdraw from school (if you are under age 18), have a total of 10 unexcused absences or have any conduct infractions.

If you receive a traffic citation after you receive your license, your license may be suspended. Paying the citation fee does not indicate that your license will not be suspended.

Information for non US Citizens

To obtain a Georgia driver's license, identification card, or any other service provided by Georgia Department of Driver Services, a non US citizen must comply with the following eligibility requirements:

Previous Licenses or Instructional Permits: You should present your Out of Country/International License or Identification card to receive a Georgia license or Identification card. Out of country licenses/permits/ID cards are returned to non US citizens with the following exceptions: Commercial licenses and permits.

Social Security Number Requirements: An applicant must provide either a Social Security number or a letter of ineligibility for a Social Security number (Form SSAL 676).

Federal law requires that states collect social security numbers (SSN) from driver’s license applicants under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

• Letter of Ineligibility - You must obtain a letter of ineligibility, Form SSAL676, from the Social Security Administration if the Department of Homeland Security has not given you permission to work in the United States.
• Social Security Numbers Based on Work Authorization: Non-citizens who have permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work in the United States can apply for a Social Security number. To apply for a Social Security number or for further details on social security numbers for non-citizens visit, www.ssa.gov.

Legal Presence Requirements: Present one of the following immigration documents in person at a Customer Service Center to prove legal presence in the US (only originals or certified copies accepted):

1. Valid (not expired) foreign passport with I-94 card or stamp or I-551 stamp
2. Permanent resident alien card (I-551)
3. Employment Authorization Card (I-766) 
4. Reentry Permit (I-327)
5. For Refugees/Asylees:  I-94 only (no passport required), or Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
6. For F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 status – I-94 with valid foreign passport AND I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS-2019 (J-1/J-2).
7. For customers from Visa I-94 waiver countries:  Valid foreign passport with Visa I-94 Waiver stamp

Note: Original immigration documentation must be submitted each time service is requested pertaining to a driver's license or identification card.

Proof of Residency:  Must provide one document from Proof of Residency document list.  Click here for standard list of residency documents.

Refugees only:  May present Form DS-20, Refugee Address Verification Affidavit in place of standard Proof of Residency document.

Effective January 1, 2008, Georgia law requires DDS to verify all immigration documents presented by non-citizens through the United States Custom and Immigration Service (USCIS) via a program known as SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement.) In most cases, the verification can be completed immediately during the customer’s driver’s license or identification card transaction. In some cases verification may take several days or several weeks. Until the documentation is verified by USCIS, DDS is unable to issue a driver’s license or identification card. If the verification is unsuccessful, the customer will be given a form with instructions and time frames to contact USCIS or return to the Customer Service Center at a later date.

Once immigration documentation is verified with USCIS, a Georgia driver's license or identification card may be issued with an expiration date that matches the immigration documentation expiration date, but no longer than 3 years. If there is no expiration date on the immigration documentation, a license/identification card can only be issued for a period of 1 year. The cost of the license/ID is $20.

Name and Address Change on License or ID:

Current DDS procedures for citizens and non citizens allow for one free address/name change per license term and $5 fee for a license replacement as long as the expiration date does not change from the original license/ID. When a replacement license/ID is issued with an expiration date different than the original, the system considers it a renewal and full fees apply.

• Must present original immigration document from list above for name/address change.
• For address change, no address proof is required.  Just advise the examiner of the new address.
• For name change, you must present a certified court document reflecting the new name (for example, marriage certificate, court name change, etc.)

Fees

$10.