Traditional Road Test

Conducted by an Examiner who administers the test while being seated in the passenger seat of the testing vehicle.

  • All road test vehicles must be covered by liability insurance (you must show a valid insurance card or Motor Vehicle registration card that shows the VIN) and pass a safety inspection;
  • If the vehicle is not equipped with illuminated turn signals, you must be able to pass the road test using hand signals;
  • You may take the test in a rental vehicle. Please be advised that many rental agreements do not allow vehicle use for driver training or testing. Additionally, you must meet the following conditions:
    • You must provide a copy of the rental contract (the contract will be reviewed to determine if testing is allowed);
    • You must be listed as a driver on the rental contract;
    • You must provide proof of valid insurance for the vehicle.

The driving test will not be conducted if weather conditions or any other conditions are determined to be unsafe for the driver or examiner. DDS will make every effort to ensure that impacted customers are rescheduled as soon as possible.

For the driving test you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to do all of the following:

  • Parallel Parking: Park midway between two standards so that your car is not more than 18 inches from the curb. The standard parallel parking dimensions utilized in the driver's license test are 22 feet in length by 10 feet in depth;
  • Straight Line Backing: Back your car for a distance of approximately 50 feet at a slow rate of speed (not more than 10 miles per hour) as straight and as smoothly as possible. You must turn your head and look behind the vehicle while backing. No boundary lines should be encroached;
  • Stop for Signs or Traffic Signals: Give the proper hand or brake signal; approach in the proper lane; stop before reaching a pedestrian crosswalk and remain stopped until all pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk on the side of the roadway upon which you are traveling; move through the intersection only when you may do so safely;
  • Turn About: Turn your car in a narrow space using a three-point turn;
  • Use of Clutch: If your car has a manual transmission, you must shift smoothly and correctly;
  • Approaching Intersections and Corners: You must be in the proper lane and look in both directions;
  • Yielding Right-of-Way: Always yield right-of-way to pedestrians, vehicle operators, and bicyclists who move into the intersection before you by stopping and remaining stopped until they have cleared the intersection;
  • Turning: Move into the proper lane and signal an adequate distance before the turn;
  • Passing: Always check in front of and behind your vehicle to make sure you can safely pass without interfering with other traffic;
  • Following: Do not follow other cars too closely. Follow at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in order to maintain control of the vehicle in case of any emergency situation or abrupt stops or turns;
  • Maintaining Good Posture: Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Do not rest your elbow on the window and do not attempt to carry on a conversation with the examiner because he/she will be busy giving instructions and recording your score.

At the end of the Class C/D road test, the license examiner will gladly show you your score sheet and will provide you an opportunity to discuss the results if you wish to do so. You must achieve a minimum score of 75% to pass.

Road Test For Class M

You must furnish a motorcycle for the test and pass a safety inspection of the motorcycle by the license examiner before the driving test is given. All road test vehicles must have a valid registration/license plate or if equipped with a temporary dealership tag, the applicant must provide the bill of sale for proof of purchase within the last 30 days.

Motorcycle operator testing information is covered in the Motorcycle Operators Manual, which is available at all DDS Customer Service Centers and online at the DDS website.

If you hold a motorcycle permit, you may schedule a motorcycle skills test appointment online at the DDS website.

Motorcycle road tests cannot be conducted when the weather conditions make it unsafe for the driver or examiner, including when it is raining or when the pavement is damp.

Road Test For Class E and F Non-Commercial

There is no driving test for Classes E & F Non-Commercial; however, you must present an Application for Issuance of Non-Commercial E/F license (DS-36), establishing your ability to operate vehicles within the particular class, and pass a knowledge test for that particular class. You must also possess or be eligible to obtain a Class C Driver's license. Class E & F licenses are available to volunteer firefighters at no charge.

Customers who wish to take the non commercial Class E/F exam should study the Commercial Drivers Manual. The Commercial Drivers Manual can be located online at the DDS website or customers can obtain a hard copy at any DDS Customer Service Center.

Road Test For Class A, B, and C Commercial

Commercial vehicle operator's testing information is covered in the Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual, which is available at all DDS Customer Service Centers and online at the DDS website. You may schedule a Commercial skills test appointment Online at the DDS website. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §40-5-25 and DDS Rule 1-1-.09(7), the $50.00 Commercial Driver's license (CDL) Road Skills Test fee is now required for each testing attempt.

Results of Pass/Fail

If you pass all the tests, you will be issued a temporary license/permit. Your permanent license/permit will be mailed to you.

If you fail any part of the Class C or D knowledge or road test, and it is your:

  • 1st Failure: You must wait until the next day before retaking the portion you have failed.
  • 2nd or Subsequent Failure: You must wait 7 days before retaking the portion you have failed.

For CDL Testing information please consult the Georgia CDL Manual.

Location Information

For a complete list of customer Service Centers and their hours of operation, please visit the DDS website or https://dds.georgia.gov/locations/customer-service-center.

Please remember that Tuesday is always the busiest day and the best time to visit in person is the middle of the week during the middle of the day.