Driver Education FAQs

These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but refer to the same course described in Question #3.

If you are under the age of 18, you will need to show proof of taking a driver education course. The course must be approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). You also need to complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving. Six (6) hours of the driving must be at night.

A certified driver education course is a course approved by the DDS. Driver education courses not approved by the DDS cannot be used for the purpose of obtaining a Class D Georgia Driver’s License. A full list of DDS-certified Driver Education Schools may be found on our website.

Georgia’s driver education program is comprised of two components—a theoretical component and a practical component. The theoretical component consists of a minimum of 30 hours of instruction, which teens can acquire either in a classroom environment or via the web through any of the DDS-approved online courses. The practical, or behind-the-wheel component, can be obtained under the supervision of a DDS-certified instructor or through the use of the Parent/Teen Driving Guide.

There are two ways to complete each component, resulting in four methods of satisfying the driver education requirements. Please refer to Joshua's Law Course Chart on our website.

A “30 and 6” driver education course is the traditional course consisting of at least 30 hours of instruction in a classroom environment and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training conducted by a DDS-certified instructor that coaches the student and observes his or her driving performance.

“Supervised driving” refers to the driving experience obtained under the supervision of an individual.  The individual must be:

• at least 21 years old
• possess an unexpired Class C Driver’s License
• seated next to the driver at all times while he or she is driving
• capable of exercising control over the vehicle if necessary.

No log is required for supervised driving. However, at the time application is made for a Class D Driver’s License, a parent, guardian, or duly authorized DDS-certified driver education instructor will be required to swear or affirm under penalty of law:

• that the applicant received 40 hours of supervised driving experience
• 6 hours must be at night.

Yes.  The 30-hour classroom part of the driver's education may be taken online.  A complete list of DDS-approved online Driver Training Schools may be found on our website.  Please note that online providers may have different types of traffic safety courses.  They may also be approved for other states. Be sure to register for a course that meets the Joshua’s Law requirements for the State of Georgia. As well, teens under the age of 18 must complete supervised driving with a  DDS-certified instructor or by using the Parent/Teen Driving Guide.

Unfortunately, the DDS does not have access to that information. You will need to contact the online course directly for your account information.

The DDS Parent/Teen Driving Guide is a manual that provides in-car lessons to help parents prepare their teenagers for the responsibilities of driving. The guide can be used in conjunction with a 30-hour DDS-approved classroom or online driver education course to satisfy the driver’s education requirements of Joshua's Law. The Parent/Teen Driving Guide is available at DDS Customer Service Centers or as a free download on our website.

Georgia law allows insurance companies to offer reductions in automobile insurance premiums to customers that complete a driver education course. We recommend that you speak with your insurance agent.

Driver education instructors are employees of the schools where they teach and are not DDS employees. The DDS certifies driver education instructors in accordance with the requirements set forth by DDS rules and regulations and the Georgia Driver Training School Act.

Driver training schools are independently owned and operated or offered through local schools or school districts and they are not employees of the DDS. The DDS certifies and regulates school owners and the instructors they employ

To get a Class D driver's license, a Georgia driver education is needed.  It must be from a Certified Driver Training School. For parents active in the U.S military, an out of state certificate can be used. The certificate must be dated within 9 months of the child’s 16th birthday.

All complaints related to a school or instructor must be made in writing using the official DDS Complaint Form on our website.