What you need to get a Georgia driver's license

Georgia issues a standard driver's license to anyone who passes a written test, vision test, and road test. You'll need to prove your identity, Social Security number, and Georgia residency before you sit for the tests. The whole process takes about 30 minutes at a Department of Driver Services (DDS) office once you have your documents ready.

Georgia also offers a Real ID-compliant license, which has a gold star in the upper right corner and works for federal purposes like boarding domestic flights or entering military bases. You get the same driving privileges either way — the difference is what the ID lets you do outside of driving. Real ID requires one extra document proving your address, but costs the same as a standard license.

If you're under 18, Georgia has a graduated licensing system with a learner's permit stage and a restricted license stage before you can get an unrestricted license. Each stage has its own age requirements and driving restrictions.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, and proof of Georgia address to get a standard license.
  • Real ID licenses cost the same but require one extra address document and let you use your license for federal purposes like flying.
  • Georgia's learner's permit is available at 15, a restricted license at 16, and an unrestricted license at 17 or 18 depending on how long you held the permit.
  • You must pass a written test, vision test, and road test; the written and vision tests happen at DDS, and the road test is scheduled separately.
  • A standard Georgia license costs $32 and is valid for eight years; Real ID costs the same but requires an extra document.

Documents you need to bring to DDS

Georgia requires proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. You can bring a birth certificate, passport, or passport card as your identity document. For Social Security, bring your actual Social Security card or a W-2 form, tax return, or 1099 from the past two years.

For residency, you need a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and Georgia address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. If you're explore for Real ID, you need one additional document proving your address — so bring two address documents total instead of one.

Bring your current driver's license if you have one, even if it's from another state. If you're renewing a Georgia license, bring that card too. Minors explore for a learner's permit must bring a parent or guardian with a valid ID.

Standard license vs. Real ID: what's the difference

Both licenses let you drive in Georgia and all other states. The difference is what you can use the card for outside of driving. A standard Georgia license works for driving and for proving your identity to police or at a bank. A Real ID license does all of that plus lets you board a domestic flight, enter a federal building, or access a military base without a passport.

Real ID requires you to bring an extra address document (two total instead of one), but the license itself costs the same $32 and lasts the same eight years. If you already have a passport or Real ID from another state, you don't need a Georgia Real ID — you can use that for federal purposes and keep a standard Georgia license for driving.

Georgia stopped issuing standard licenses in 2020, so if you're getting a new license now, you're getting Real ID whether you want it or not. If you have an old standard license from before 2020, you can keep using it until it expires, but when you renew, you'll get Real ID.

Learner's permit, restricted license, and unrestricted license for drivers under 18

Georgia's learner's permit is available at age 15. You can drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat. There's no road test — you just pass the written and vision tests. The permit is valid for two years and costs $20.

At age 16, you can take the road test and get a restricted license. With a restricted license, you can drive alone during the day (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.) but must have a licensed adult 21 or older in the car between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. You also cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free. The restricted license lasts one year and costs $32.

At age 17, or after holding a restricted license for one year (whichever comes later), you can get an unrestricted license. This is a full adult license with no driving restrictions. It costs $32 and is valid for eight years. If you held your permit for at least one year before getting your restricted license, you only need to hold the restricted license for six months before upgrading to unrestricted.

How to pass the written test and vision test

The written test covers Georgia traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the official Georgia Driver's Manual, which DDS publishes free online. The test has 40 questions, and you need to answer at least 30 correctly to pass. You get one chance per visit to the DDS office.

The vision test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. You read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them — you'll be tested with them on. If you fail the vision test, you cannot take the written test that day and must return another time.

Both tests happen at the DDS office during your first visit. You can retake either test, but you'll have to pay the $20 learner's permit fee or $32 license fee again each time you visit. Many people study the manual for a week or two before their appointment to avoid multiple trips.

How to schedule and pass the road test

After you pass the written and vision tests, DDS schedules your road test at a separate appointment, usually one to four weeks later depending on how busy your local office is. You'll drive a DDS examiner around a set route in your area for about 15 to 20 minutes. The examiner watches how you handle turns, stops, parking, and highway driving.

You must bring a vehicle that's registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The car needs working headlights, brake lights, turn signals, wipers, and mirrors. You also need a licensed adult (21 or older for minors, any age for adults) to sit in the passenger seat during the test. That person cannot help you drive — they're just there as a witness.

Common reasons people fail the road test include hitting the curb while parking, rolling through a stop sign, speeding, or not checking mirrors and blind spots. If you fail, you can retake the test at your next appointment, which usually comes up within a few weeks.

Cost and how long your license lasts

A Georgia driver's license costs $32 and is valid for eight years from the date you receive it. A learner's permit costs $20 and lasts two years. A restricted license costs $32 and lasts one year. Real ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses — there's no extra fee.

You can renew your license up to six months before it expires by visiting a DDS office or renewing online if you're renewing a standard license (not upgrading from a learner's or restricted license). Online renewal costs $32 and takes about a week. In-person renewal is when ready.

If your license expires while you're out of state or unable to visit DDS, Georgia allows a grace period of up to one year for military members and their families. Otherwise, you cannot legally drive with an expired license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Georgia license if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Georgia issues licenses to anyone with a valid visa or work permit. You'll need to bring your passport and visa or work permit instead of a birth certificate. Bring the same Social Security and residency documents as anyone else. Undocumented immigrants cannot get a Georgia driver's license.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

You don't need the physical card. Bring a W-2 form, tax return, or 1099 from the past two years instead. If you don't have any of those, contact the Social Security Administration to request a replacement card before your DDS appointment.

How do I renew my Georgia license online?

You can renew online only if you're renewing a standard or Real ID license (not upgrading from a learner's or restricted license). Visit the Georgia DDS website, enter your license number and date of birth, pay $32, and your new license arrives by mail in about a week. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You can retake the road test at your next scheduled appointment, usually within a few weeks. You don't pay the license fee again — you only pay if you pass and receive the license. Most people pass on their second or third attempt.

Can I use my learner's permit to drive alone?

No. With a learner's permit, you must have a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat at all times. Once you pass the road test and get a restricted license at 16, you can drive alone during the day (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.).