GA Teen Driving Laws: A Guide to Georgia License Law

By Atlanta DUI Lawyer and Criminal Defense Attorney Bubba Head

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States between the ages of 16 and 19. Statistics also show that the first year behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is the most dangerous time for fatal crashes for any driver, teen or otherwise. But many young drivers do not “drive smart” and thus have a much higher incidence of wrecks and fatalities than older drivers who begin driving when older. This guide will help you learn the important developments in GA teen driving laws, including Joshua’s Law and requirements for getting a Georgia driver’s license.

Prior to Joshua’s Law in GA, our state had no mandated a defensive driving requirement for our youngest drivers. The graduated license law imposed driving restrictions on Georgia teens, and multiple other states later adopted these restrictions.

The new GA teen driving laws require all teens under 17 to show proof of driving lessons. The goal of these new teen driving laws is to recognize that not all parents can teach their kids about safe driving.

Joshua’s Law in Georgia: A GA Teen Driving Law

“Joshua’s Law” is also known as the ‘6 month driving rule” in GA. This teen driving law was enacted as a result of the 2003 death of Joshua Robert Brown, a 17-year-old from Cartersville, Georgia who loved football, baseball and music. On July 1, 2003, he was driving on a two-lane road in the rain when his truck hit a puddle of water and lost traction. The truck hydroplaned and Joshua could not steer it, crashing into a tree.

Joshua’s father, Alan Brown, lobbied the state Legislature to change the GA driver’s education requirement. His family pushed for stricter GA teen driving laws.

he goal of Joshua’s Law is to avoid such tragedies by requiring important, prior driver training. The new GA teen driving laws created a 3-stage “graduated” license system. You can find it under OCGA 40-5-24.

The Three “Levels” of GA Teen Driver’s License Law:

Authorities enacted three different restricted driving levels over three six-month periods.

• Step 1 prohibits the Class D driver from transporting any non-related persons for six (6) months.
• Step 2 covers the second six months for young drivers. During this time, they can have only one non-related passenger in the car.
• Step 3: After driving for one year, A Georgia teen can have up to three unrelated passengers in the car.

Is Joshua’s Law Driver’s Ed?

Yes. This law mandates special driver training via a certified driver education course.

There are two parts to driver’s education for Joshua’s Law. One part is a course, which can be in-person or online.

To meet the driver’s education course requirement:

You can complete 30 hours of in-person classes at a DDS-approved location. High schools, technical schools, and private schools all offer these programs.

OR

You can complete a 30-hour online course through a DDS-approved online provider. To find an approved online driver’s ed. course, click the ‘Online’ radio button, and you can search by county, city, or the name of the approved program.

The other part is practical. This means you will have supervised driving hours on the road.

To meet the practical requirement:

• 40 hours of parent or guardian-supervised driving (using the DDS Parent/Teen Driving guide). 6 of the 40 hours must be at night.
• 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training at a certified driving school.

To pass the practical requirement, the driver must score a minimum of 75%.

Getting Your Driver’s License in GA

A complex and detailed path to early licensing must be followed for a driver to start driving at age 16 or 17. The package of prerequisites for 16-year-old drivers is the most detailed and extensive. These rules below are for drivers getting a driver’s license at 16, 17, and 18:

Georgia Driver’s License Requirements for 16 Year Olds:

1. Proof of having had a valid learners permit for one year and one day..

2. Your Georgia DDS certificate of attendance which must be notarized by your driving school representative.

3. The Georgia Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) certificate of completion of a 30-hour driver education course at a state-certified driving school. The ADAP certificate covers Joshua’s Law.

The applicant must fill out a driving experience affidavit at the GA Department of Driver Services. They must confirm that they have at least 40 hours of driving experience, including 6 hours at night. A parent will sign the form at a nearby GA DDS customer service center, and they can do this before you apply.

5. Bring proof of valid vehicle registration and liability insurance for that same vehicle used on road test. This is almost always your parents’ insurance on a family-owned vehicle.

To Maintain a Class D (Provisional License) in GA:

1. No driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. for any reason.

2. During the first six months of driving with the provisional license, the only related people who live in the same house.

During the second six months of driving with a provisional license, you can have extra passengers. However, only one unrelated person under 21 can ride in the car.

After the first twelve months, the law allows up to three passengers under 21. These passengers cannot be part of your immediate family.

For the last 12 months of your provisional license, you must not have any major traffic violations. These violations can lead to a license suspension.

Georgia Driver’s License Requirements for 17 Year Olds:

Driver’s seeking their Georgia driver’s license for the first time must meet the same Joshua’s law requirements for 16 year olds, as outlined above.

Georgia Driver’s License Requirements for 18 Year Olds:

Going from a Class D to Class C License in GA:

A Class C license in Georgia is our To get a Class C license as a new driver, applicants who are 18 must take a road skills test. They need to score at least 75% to pass.

If you already have a Class D GA license, you can upgrade to a Class C license. Log in to MyDDS. Click the button that says “Class D to C upgrade.” Then, follow the instructions provided.

Go to this instructional permits and graduated licensing law link for the wording of Georgia law.

If your youthful driver is facing loss of his or her driver’s license, call the Georgia attorneys who have handled over 10,000 traffic-related criminal cases. for a FREE consultation Yes, all traffic offenses are misdemeanors, once put on your record. For the best legal services and accurate legal advice, call our Sandy Springs DUI lawyers anytime day or night. Our law office phone is answered 24/7.

Where a loss of driving privileges is the legal issue, and an alternative solution can be worked out, we are the law office to call. Our three award-winning attorneys in Atlanta can offer a game plan in almost all cases. Ex-cop Cory Yager, AVVO superstar Larry Kohn and William C. Head, better known as Bubba Head, are here to assist you.

Our law firm has relationships with criminal lawyers near me in every part of Georgia. These local connections and courtroom litigation experience are the key to successfully navigating the tough license suspension penalties that teen drivers face. Early action is critical, since UNDOING a suspension is less likely and more costly to handle. For a free Atlanta criminal lawyer consultation, call today 404-567-5515.