License Classes
A Georgia Driver's License is classified according to the type and weight of vehicles that may be operated by the person to whom they are issued.
Explanation of Classes
Class A (Commercial) - Any combination of vehicles (power unit and trailer) with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Includes vehicles in Classes B and C. Knowledge and driving skill exams are required. Must be at least 18 years old, though restricted to intrastate driving only until age 21.
Class B (Commercial) - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle, not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Includes vehicles in Class C, but not Class A. Knowledge and driving skill exams are required. Must be at least 18 years old, though restricted to intrastate driving only until age 21.
Class CP (Permit) – Available to any person at least 15 years of age if they pass a knowledge test and a vision examination, and meet school enrollment requirements. Allows the licensee to operate a Class C non-commercial vehicle while there is a licensed driver, at least 21 years of age occupying the front seat beside the driver who is fit and capable of exercising control over the vehicle, or when accompanied by a disabled parent/guardian who has been issued an identification card containing the international handicapped symbol.
Class C (Non-Commercial and Commercial) - Any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance. Regardless of the GVWR or combined gross vehicle weight rating.
Class C (Commercial) - licenses are issued only if the vehicle is designed to carry sixteen or more passengers (including the driver), or utilized to transport hazardous materials in quantities that require a placard. Knowledge and driving skill exams may be required upon initial issuance.
Class D Provisional license for Class C vehicles – available to 16-year-olds if they have held a class CP license for at least 1 year and 1 day; have not been convicted of any major traffic violations; meet school enrollment requirements, and have completed a Driver’s Education course consisting of classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Teens not wanting to satisfy the Driver’s Education requirements may wait until they are 17 years of age to obtain their Class D license; all other requirements must be met. Required to pass a road test. Class D license holders are limited to the following conditions:
- cannot operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM,
- during the first six-month period after issuance, cannot operate a motor vehicle with any passenger who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family (defined as the license holder’s parents and step-parents, grandparents, siblings, and step-siblings, children, and any other person who resides at the license holder’s residence)
- during the second six-month period after issuance, cannot operate a motor vehicle with more
than one passenger under the age of 21 who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family, and - for the remainder of the Class D license period, cannot operate a motor vehicle when more
than three passengers under the age of 21 are not members of the driver’s immediate family.
Class E (Non-commercial) – Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the GVWR of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds, and the vehicle or vehicles are operated by a farmer to transport agricultural products, livestock, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm and are not used in the operations of a common or contract carrier. Must be at least 18 years of age, pass a knowledge and skill test, and possess a valid Class C license when applying.
Class F (Non-commercial) – Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Must be at least 18 years of age, pass a knowledge and skill test, and possess a valid Class C license when applying.
Class M Motorcycles - Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and three-wheeled motorcycles with handlebars (must be 17 years of age).
Class MP (Permit) – Motorcycle Instructional Permit that allows the rider to operate a motorcycle except after dark, with passengers, or on expressways/interstates (must be at least 16 years of age and have completed driver’s education program described for Class D license; otherwise, must be 17 years of age).
Class AP and BP (Permits)– Allows the licensee to operate either a class A or B vehicle while a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed for the class of vehicle being operated, who is occupying the front seat beside the driver, who is fit and capable of exercising control over the vehicle.
Class EP and FP (Permits) – Allows the licensee to operate a vehicle of the appropriate noncommercial class when accompanied by a licensed driver, qualified in the vehicle being operated, who is fit and capable of exercising control over the vehicle, and is occupying a seat beside the driver as an instructor.
Other Vehicles
- Mopeds - A Moped is any motor-driven cycle with an engine not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters (3.05 cubic inches) that can propel the cycle at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour (MPH) and does not require clutching or shifting. Mopeds are exempt from the provisions relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles.
- Rules to operate mopeds on Georgia roads and highways:
- Must be 15 years of age and have in their possession a valid driver's license, instructional permit, or limited permit.
- Must wear protective headgear (motorcycle helmet).
- No-tag is required.
- Every person operating a moped upon a roadway must obey the same traffic laws governing drivers of motor vehicles.
- May not use limited access highways or other roadways where the minimum speed limit is above 35 mph.
- Rules to operate mopeds on Georgia roads and highways:
- Low-Speed Vehicles - A Low-Speed vehicle is any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed attainable in one mile is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 and in effect on January 1, 2001.
- Rules to operate Low-Speed Vehicles on Georgia roads and highways: Drivers of low-speed vehicles are subject to the Uniform Rules of the Road except with regard to provisions that cannot apply to such vehicles by virtue of their nature.
- All low-speed vehicles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any low-speed vehicle of the full use of a lane.
- The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
- No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
- Low-speed vehicles shall not be operated two or more abreast in a single lane.
- Low-speed vehicles shall be operated only on any highway where the posted speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour.
- The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not operate such vehicle on any highway where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.
- Rules to operate Low-Speed Vehicles on Georgia roads and highways: Drivers of low-speed vehicles are subject to the Uniform Rules of the Road except with regard to provisions that cannot apply to such vehicles by virtue of their nature.
NOTE: Drivers of such vehicles must have a valid driver's license.