Get your first driver's license in Georgia

By · checked

A first-time Georgia driver submits the online License/ID/Permit Form, passes the knowledge and vision exams for a $10 Class CP permit at a DDS Customer Service Center, completes the required practice (and Joshua's Law training for teens), then passes a road test booked online.

Your situation

How old are you?
Online or in person
Start online, then visit a center · For the permit and licenseSubmit the online License/ID/Permit Form before you visit (it stays on file for 60 days), and book the road test online. The knowledge and vision exams are taken at a Customer Service Center. The road test page says applicants 18 and over need a valid learner's permit and a passed knowledge exam. Road tests need an appointment: no walk-ins and no same-day appointments. DDS says road tests are not offered at all locations, and that non-commercial road tests are offered virtually (dual-facing camera and hands-free device, with a licensed adult 21+ in the vehicle).
Cost
$10 permit + $32 Class C licenseClass CP permit $10 (2 years); Class C license $32 (8 years). The permit fee is paid again before every testing attempt. Online Services customers may get a $5.00 discount on eligible transactions.
You leave with
Class CP permit, then a Class C license

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Certified U.S. birth certificate (With a raised seal)
      • Unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
      • Consular report of birth abroad
      • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Social Security card
      • Print-out from SSA
      • W-2 or 1099 form
      • Paycheck stub
    • Show accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility bill (Dated within the past six months)
      • Bank, credit card or loan statement (Dated within the past six months)
      • Mortgage or signed lease
      • Vehicle registration, title or insurance card
      • School record
    • Show accepted documents
      • A licensed driver 21 or older
      • Paper copy of the vehicle registration and a current insurance card
      • Signed affidavit of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 at night (Listed for applicants 18 and over)
      • Bill of sale (If the car has temporary tags or was bought in the last 30 days)

  2. Submit the online License/ID/Permit Form

    Fill in the form before you visit a Customer Service Center. It stays on file for 60 days; after that you must submit it again.

    Learner's Permit (Class CP) (DDS) ↗

  3. Take a free practice test

    Before the knowledge test, try our Georgia DDS Practice Test: 40 questions like the real exam, based on the official handbook, with every answer explained.

    Start the Georgia practice test

  4. Pass the knowledge and vision exams for your Class CP permit

    You must be at least 15. At a Customer Service Center, pass the Road Rules and Road Signs tests (15 of 20 on each) and a vision exam, have your photo taken and pay the $10 permit fee. No appointment is needed for a first knowledge exam.

    Test and Exams Information (DDS) ↗

  5. Practice with a supervising adult

    With a Class CP permit you may drive only with an adult 21 or older who holds a Class C license, is able to take control and sits in the front passenger seat.

  6. Log 40 hours of supervised driving

    The road test page asks applicants 18 and over for a signed affidavit of 40 hours of supervised road driving, including 6 at night.

  7. Book and pass the road test

    Book an automobile road test online after submitting the form; walk-ins are not accepted. Road tests are not offered at all locations, and DDS says non-commercial road tests are offered virtually (dual-facing camera and hands-free device). Bring a licensed driver 21 or older, a paper copy of the registration and a current insurance card. The vehicle must pass a DDS safety inspection. You need 75% to pass.

    Road Test Appointments (DDS) ↗

  8. Get your Class C license

    Pay the $32 license fee for an 8-year Class C license.

    Driver's License (Class C) (DDS) ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Road tests need an appointment: walk-ins and same-day appointments are not accepted.
  • Failing the knowledge exam or road test means a 1-day wait, then 7 days after a second failure, and 30 days if you fail the road test because of an accident or traffic violation. All retests need an appointment and the $10 permit fee again.
  • Teens can't take the road test before holding the Class CP permit for 1 year and 1 day, and must bring the driver education and ADAP certificates and proof of school enrollment.
  • The vehicle must pass a DDS safety inspection, and you need a paper registration and a current insurance card.
  • P.O. Boxes do not prove residency, and DDS does not accept translated documents.
  • The online License/ID/Permit Form expires after 60 days; submit it again if your visit is later.

Offices for permits, tests and first licenses

DDS says to submit the online form and then visit a DDS Customer Service Center to apply for the learner's permit and take the knowledge and vision exams. Road tests are booked online; DDS says they are not offered at all locations and that non-commercial road tests are offered virtually, and its kiosk pages list only renewals, replacements and driving history reports. Agency source.

69 offices where you can apply for a permit or first licenseSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Largest cities with them: Atlanta (1) · Augusta (1) · Macon (1) · Savannah (1) · Athens (1)

129 more offices may be able to apply for a permit or first license, but neither the office's service list nor the agency says so. They show in the search below, labelled; call before you go.

Results show offices where you can apply for a permit or first license or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

Did it work on your first visit?

Tell us after you've been. One anonymous answer, no account, nothing else saved.


Sources · checked November 4, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.