Teen Driving Laws FAQs

TADRA is the acronym used to refer to Georgia’s Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act. TADRA is a graduated driver's license program for young drivers ages 15 to 18. It was established in Georgia by a collaborative effort of highway safety advocates, legislators, law enforcement officials, educators, businesses, and media in the wake of a high number of fatal vehicle crashes involving young, inexperienced drivers.

View the TADRA Brochure for more information.

Step 1 – Learner's Permit (Class CP): a Georgia Learner’s Permit is granted to applicants that are at least 15 years old and have successfully passed a knowledge test consisting of road rules and road signs. Drivers with a Learner’s Permit must be accompanied by an individual that is at least 21 years old. This individual must possess a valid Class C driver’s license, sit next to the driver in the vehicle, and be able to take control of the vehicle if necessary.

Step 2 – Intermediate Provisional License (Class D):  a Class D Georgia driver’s license is granted to applicants either 16 or 17 years old. The applicant must have held a Georgia Learner’s Permit for 12 months and one day. They also must have not committed any major traffic violations, and have successfully passed a road skills test. A Class D Georgia driver’s license has certain conditions, which are outlined in Question #5.

Step 3 – Full License (Class C): a Class C Georgia driver’s license is granted to drivers 18 years old or older that have had no major traffic convictions in the last 12 months.

• May not drive between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m, no exceptions.

• During the first six (6) months following issuance, only immediate family members can ride in the vehicle.

• During the second six (6) months, following issuance, only one (1) passenger under 21 years of age and who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family can ride in the vehicle.

• After one year from the date of issuance, only 3 passengers under 21 years of age and who are not members of the driver's immediate family can ride in the vehicle.

Yes. The restrictions associated with a Class D Georgia Driver’s License are based on the class of license, not the age of the driver.

Yes. The conditions associated with a Class D Georgia driver’s license are based on the class of license, not the age of the driver. Drivers 18 or older that have had no major traffic convictions in the last 12 months may apply in person or online for a Class C Georgia driver’s license. DDS Online Services are available twenty-fours a day and seven days a week.  You can also download the DDS 2 Go Mobile App. 

You are eligible to apply for a Class C Georgia driver’s license once you reach age 18. Remember, however, that when you apply for a Class C Georgia driver’s license, you will be required to swear or affirm under penalty of law that you have 40 hours of supervised driving experience, 6 hours of which are at night. You will also be required to successfully pass a knowledge test consisting of road rules and road signs.

Joshua's Law affects teen drivers under the age of 18 when they apply for a Class D Georgia driver's license.  They must complete a driver education course. The approved course should be from a Certified Driver Training School.

It is a course that is approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). It enables teens to get their Class D driver’s license from the age of 16. A driver education program includes a classroom portion and a practical driving portion.

The classroom part is a minimum of 30 hours of instruction. This can be done in a classroom or online. The practical behind-the-wheel part can be taken under the supervision of a DDS-licensed instructor or using the free Parent/Teen Driving Guide . (download the pdf file)

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.

Approved Certified Driver Training School list.

The DDS Parent/Teen Driving Guide is available online.

No, based on the law for getting a Class D Georgia driver’s license. You must hold an unexpired learner’s permit for a certain period. It must be at least 12 months and a day before applying for a Class D license.

“Supervised driving” refers to driving experience obtained under the supervision of an individual that is at least 21 years old. The individual must possess an unexpired Class C driver’s license. This individual must sit next to the driver at all times while he or she is driving, and be 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, 6 hours of which was at night.

A program from Georgia is needed. It must be from a Certified Driver Training School . For parents in the active U.S military, an out of state certificate can be used by the child. The certificate must be within 9 months of the child’s 16th birthday.