Commissioner & Board Messages

 DDS Commissioner and Board Messages

Dear Parents and Future Drivers,

Reaching the age to obtain a driver’s license is one of the most exciting times in a teenager’s life. For parents and teens alike, it is a process and an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. While the privilege to drive opens doors to many new opportunities, it also carries with it tremendous responsibilities. A solid foundation in driver education, including practice and behind-the-wheel experience, has proven to be the one of the best protections against teen driving fatalities, which continue to be the leading cause of death among teens in the United States.

I am pleased to present the DDS 40-hour Parent Teen Driving Guide, which is intended to not only provide teens with the fundamental tools necessary to be safer drivers, but also assist in satisfying the behind-the-wheel skills portion of Georgia’s teen driver education requirements. Georgia law requires that all teens under the age of 18 successfully complete a DDS-approved driver training program to obtain a Class D provisional license. Without driver training, teens are not eligible for a provisional license. When coupled with a DDS-approved 30-hour virtual or 30-hour classroom program, successful completion of this Guide will satisfy Georgia’s driver education requirements.

Please read the Guide carefully and be sure to follow all of the directions. All sessions must be completed prior to being able to take the DDS road skills test. In addition, a Driving Experience Affidavit (DDS-7) must be completed at DDS affirming the applicant has a minimum of 40 hours of driving experience, 6 hours of which must be at night. Teens without the required 40 hours will not be tested.

Also, please download the official DDS Mobile App, DDS 2 GO, for free from the App Store or Google Play. Using DDS 2 GO will allow you to save time by completing many transactions without visiting in person including upgrading your Class D Provisional License to a Class C Full License.

Best of luck and safe driving!

Sincerely,

Spencer R. Moore
Commissioner

Board of Directors' Message

Board of Directors

• David W. Connell, Chair
• Jeff MarKey, Vice Chair
• Britt Fleck, Secretary
• Tony Guisasola
• Rachel Little
• Christie Moore
• Bob Pierce
• Sheriff Frank Reynolds
• Kat Satterfield

The Department of Driver Services (DDS) Board of Directors would like to remind our customers that driving in Georgia is a privilege that carries many responsibilities. Please be a safe and dependable driver to ensure that this privilege will not be lost. This manual has two main purposes:

1. to help you qualify for a Georgia driver's license; and
2. to help you become a safer driver.

Please always put safety first!

DDS Mission & Core Values

Our Mission

To provide secure driver and identity credentials to our customers with excellence and respect.

Our Core Values:

• Trusted Service
• Ethical Actions
• Accountable to All
• Motivated to Excellence

#ExcellenceIsWhatDRIVESUs

Title VI Policy Statement

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related nondiscrimination authorities. DDS assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low-income, and Limited English Proficiency (LEP), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity. DDS further assures that every effort will be made to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether or not those programs and activities are federally funded. In addition, DDS will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency. Finally, DDS written agreements with any party for federally funded programs or services will include Title VI language as provided in the Title VI Program Assurances.

Acknowledgements

Deputy Commissioner's Message

Dear Parents and Prospective Drivers,

As Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), and on behalf of all of our staff, it gives me great pride to be able to present to you the DDS 40-hour Parent Teen Driving Guide. If you are reading this Guide, it most likely means that you are not only the parent or guardian of a teen who is seeking to obtain a Class D provisional license, but also will be using its training materials in order for your teen to satisfy the behind-the-wheel component of Georgia’s driver training requirements.

As a highway safety professional, I firmly believe that driver education not only creates safer drivers on our roadways, but also has proven to be the one of the best highway safety investments we can make in order to reduce teen driving fatalities. I also firmly believe that motor vehicle crashes and the fatalities and injuries they cause are preventable. According to the latest statistics published by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, in 2019, there were 1,491 motor vehicle fatalities reported in Georgia. 384 of these fatalities were the result of not being properly restrained by a seatbelt; 353 were the result of impaired driving; and 260 were the result of speeding. Distracted driving also continues to be a grave concern to highway safety and a contributing factor in many crashes. Remember, please, to buckle-up, slow down, never drive impaired, and always pay attention while driving. Put the phone down. No phone call, text message, or email is worth the risk it poses to you, passengers in your vehicle, or other drivers.

Please download the free Mobile App, DDS 2 GO, and save time finding information and conducting many licensing transactions.

Sincerely,

Ricky H. Rich
Deputy Commissioner