Georgia - Obtain a Drivers Permit

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Procedure

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DSS) serves the public by offering commercial and regular passenger vehicle driver’s licenses, driver's permits, and state identification cards.

How to apply
Visit the DSS office near your location map of DDS Customer Service Centres.

1. COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION FORM

   You can obtain an application form at the Customer Service Center, or you can fill out the application ONLINE ahead of time. Your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or other responsible adult must accompany you to the Customer Service Center and sign the application in the presence of a DDS employee.
   
   

2. BRING DOCUMENTATION TO VERIFY THE FOLLOWING:
   • Your identity, including your full name
   • Your date of birth
   • Your Social Security number or proof of ineligibility for a Social Security number
   • Your US citizenship (or your legal presence in the US if you are not a US citizen)
   • Your residential address in Georgia
3. VERIFY YOUR SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION

   Bring a document to prove that you attend or have graduated from secondary school or the equivalent. E.g., a Certificate of School Enrolment (Form DS-1), signed by an official of your school and notarized, a high school diploma, a GED diploma, proof of enrolment in a GED program or proof of enrolment in a postsecondary school.

4. PASS A VISION TEST

   If your visual acuity readings are below 20/60 even with corrective lenses, and a field of vision is less than 140 degrees, you will be asked to have a DS-274 completed by an eye specialist.

5. PAY THE FEE OF $10

   You must pay it by cash, check or card before you take the knowledge exam. If you fail the knowledge exam, you will have to pay another $10 each time you retake it.

6. PASS A KNOWLEDGE TEST

   You will take the knowledge exam at a DDS Customer Service Center on a walk-in basis. Arrive well before the closing time as the test must begin at least 30 minutes before the Center closes.

7. HAVE YOUR PICTURE AND FINGERPRINTS TAKEN
8. Once you meet these requirements, the DDS Customer Service Center will issue you a temporary Georgia Class CP instructional permit. Your permanent permit should be mailed to you within 30 days. If you have not received it by then, contact the DDS.

NB Your Class CP instructional permit is valid for two years. If you haven't obtained a driver license by the time your permit expires, you will have to renew your instructional permit to keep driving.

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Required Documents

1. Documentation showing your identity, residential address, full social security number, and U.S. citizenship or proof of lawful status in the United States. Please refer to Secure ID for more information.
2. If you are new to Georgia, you must surrender any out of state driver's license/permit/ID card.
3. If the applicant was previously issued a driver's license/permit/ID card in another state, and that card has been lost or stolen, the applicant must provide a certified copy of his or her driving record or motor vehicle report from the state that issued the card. The MVR must be dated within the last 30 days. The DDS does not accept uncertified copies printed from websites, but a fax may be sent to the DDS directly from the other state agency.
4. Applicants under age 18 are required to have Parent/Guardian, Responsible Adult or Authorized Driver Training Instructor to sign the application for the driver's license. They also have the authority to request the driver's license to be revoked at any time before the applicant’s 18th birthday.
5. All documents must be in English.
6. A Georgia DDS Certificate of School Enrollment (DS-1) must be signed and notarized from the applicant’s school.  It is only valid for 30 days. 
7. All applicants under the age of 18 not enrolled in school must provide a high school diploma, GED, special diploma, certification of high school completion, or proof of enrollment in a GED program or a postsecondary school.
8. All Applicants visiting a customer service center must fill out an application/form. And submit them within 30 days period

Office Locations & Contacts

Georgia Department of Driver Services
2206 East View Parkway
Conyers, Georgia 30013 Map

Mailing Address
Department of Driver Services
Post Office Box 80447
Conyers, Georgia 30013

Driver's License Information
Contact Center Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:15pm
(678) 413-8400
(678) 413-8500
(678) 413-8600 
1 (866) 754-3687 (Inside Georgia but outside the Metro Atlanta Area)

Check the Status of Your License Anytime (24/7)
(404) 657-9300
CSC Locations
Website : Map

Eligibility

• At least 15 year of age, a USA citizen

Fees

CP Permit Fee = $10.00. See FEES and TERMS - for more information.

Validity

Permit is valid for two years. If you haven't obtained a driver license by the time your permit expires, you will have to renew your instructional permit to keep driving

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

Permit should be mailed to you within 30 days. If you have not received it by then, contact the DDS.

Related Videos

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Instructions

Head to the DDS to ace your written test and get your permit! There is no need to make an appointment with your local DDS. However, you'll want to make sure you allow more than 30 minutes of time before the location closes for the day. You will be required to take two tests: the Road Rules Test and the Road Signs Test. Each test consists of 20 questions and it's required that you score a 75% or above. You'll also need to provide a fingerprint and signature, pass a vision exam, and take a picture. With your Georgia learner permit in hand, you're ready to start driving school.

Required Information

• Your identity, including your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your Social Security number or proof of ineligibility for a Social Security number
• Your US citizenship (or your legal presence in the US if you are not a US citizen)
• Your residential address in Georgia
• Certificate of school enrolment(form DS-1)

Need for the Document

A Georgia learner's permit allows you to drive a standard passenger vehicle only with supervision. You must have someone sitting next to you over the age of 21 who has their license and is physically able to drive at the time. 

Information which might help

Study for the DDS permit test with unlimited practice tests in-app. It's important that you prepare for the written exam before heading to the DDS. You'll need to get at least 21 out of 30 questions correct, and you have unlimited chances to pass the test. If you fail, you may retake the test again as many times as you need.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Driver Licence

Driver services

Classes

Others

After one year and one day of getting your permit, and when you're at least 16 years old, head to the DDS to take the driving test and get your license! A Driving Experience Affidavit (DDS-7) must be completed to affirm that you have completed the required 40 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, which includes the 6 hours of nighttime driving. To schedule a road test appointment you must call ahead or register online. To save some time, you may also pre-apply online within 30 days of your appointment date If you fail your driving test, you must wait one day before you can take it again. If you fail a subsequent you must wait one week to retest. Your new photo driver license will arrive in the mail. Until then, always have your interim license with you when you drive. In the meantime, you can't transport any passengers that are not part of your immediate family; after six months you are permitted only one non-relative under 21, and after six more months, three non-relatives under 21. You also can't drive between 12am and 5am. After you turn 18, these restrictions don't apply.