Test and Exams Information

Your vision will be tested using a mechanical device, requiring a minimum of 20/60 vision in one eye (with or without corrective lenses) and a 140-degree field of vision. If you fail the field vision exam, you must submit a Vision Report Form (DS-MR-274) , completed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.

The Knowledge Exam includes two tests: the Road Rules Test and the Road Signs Test, both requiring a minimum score of 15 out of 20 to pass. No appointment is needed, and a free Practice Test is available online. All necessary information to succeed is available in the Drivers Manual.

Note: For non-commercial tests, start at least 30 minutes before the Customer Service Center closes; for CDL tests, start 45 minutes before closing. Customers with reading disabilities can request an oral test at a CSC (schedules vary by location).

Available Languages

The Road Rules and Road Signs sections of the Non-Commercial knowledge exams are available in the following 26 (twenty-six) languages:

• English
• Albanian
• Amharic
• Arabic
• Burmese
• Chinese
• Dari
• Farsi
• French
• German
• Haitian Creole
• Hindi
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Pashto
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Rohingya
• Russian
• Spanish
• Swahili
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese
• Wolof
• Yoruba

Road Rules Test

This test covers driver responsibility, knowledge of laws, and safe driving practices, tailored to the license class you’re applying for.

Road Signs Test

This test assesses your ability to identify standard highway signs, signals, and markers.

Non-Commercial Class E and F Exams

Previously known as Class A and B, these exams require studying the Commercial (CDL) Driver’s Manual.

The Road Skills Test, available only in English, requires a vehicle with valid liability insurance, registration, and a safety inspection. You must know hand signals if turn signals are absent, and the license plate cannot be expired.

Virtual Road Test

Conducted remotely via a dual-facing camera and hands-free device, with a licensed adult (21+) in the vehicle.

Traditional Road Test

Conducted in-person with an examiner in the passenger seat.

You’ll perform various driving tasks (see below), needing a minimum score of 75% to pass. At the end, the examiner will review your score sheet and discuss results.

Scheduling a Road Test

Schedule your automobile, motorcycle, or commercial road test through the DDS online appointment system. Visit the Road Test Appointments page for more details.

Road Skills Test Expectations

On the Road Skills Test, the following is expected:

1. Parallel Parking: Park midway between two standards so that your car is less than 18 inches from the curb.
2. Backing: Back your car for a distance of about 50 feet, at a slow rate of speed, and as straight and as smooth as possible. Turn your head and look back at all times while backing.
3. Stopping for Signs or Traffic Signals:  Give the proper hand or brake signal. Approach in the proper lane. Stop before reaching a pedestrian crosswalk. Remain stopped until you can move through in a safe manner.
4. Turnabout: Turn your car in a narrow space using two-, three- or five-point turns.
5. Use of Clutch: If your car has a standard transmission, you must perform a smooth and correct shift.
6. Approaching Corners: You must be in the proper lane and look in both directions.
7. Yielding Right-of-Way: You must yield to the right-of-way of:
   1. pedestrians
   2. motor vehicles
   3. bicyclists
   4. or anyone else who moves in the intersection before you.
8. Turning: Get in the proper lane and give signal an adequate distance before reaching the turn.
9. Passing: Always look ahead and behind to ensure you can make a safe pass without interfering other traffic.
10. Following: Do not drive close behind other cars. Always watch the car ahead of you. When your car passes a reference point, like a telephone pole, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." If you pass the same spot before you are through counting, you are following too close.
11. Posture: Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Do not rest your elbow on the window. Do not attempt to carry on a conversation with the Examiner. They will be busy giving instructions and recording your score.

The Motorcycle Rider Skills Test (RST) assesses control and hazard-response skills for two-wheeled (RST-2W) and three-wheeled (RST-3W) vehicles, with four evaluations, some at speeds up to 15 mph. Scoring is based on time/distance and path violations; the test may end early for unsafe acts or failure to follow instructions. Visit the Road Test Appointments page for more details. All necessary information to succeed is available in the Motorcycle Operator's Manual.

Earn a Class M license without taking the knowledge and skills tests by obtaining a 90-day waiver through the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP). The GMSP offers classroom instruction, on-cycle training, and motorcycles, but the waiver doesn’t cover the vision test or fees. To learn more visit Motorcycle Safety Program.

If you fail the Knowledge Exam or Road Skills Test, wait 1 day to retest; after a second failure, wait 7 days. A 30-day wait applies if you fail the Road Skills Test due to an accident or traffic violation (ticketed or not). All retests require an appointment and payment of the permit fee (cash or credit/debit cards only; no checks, money orders, or refunds).

*CDL retesting policy: If you fail the CDL Knowledge & Road Skills Test, you must wait at least 2 days before attempting the test again.