What form you need and where to get it
Georgia's learner's permit process is Form DL 44, the official process for Instruction Permit or Driver's License. You can get it three ways: read it from the Georgia Department of Driver Services website, pick up a copy at any Georgia DDS office, or fill it out on a computer at the office itself before you submit it.
The form is the same whether you are explore for a learner's permit or a full driver's license — the difference is in what you bring with you and what test you take, not in the paperwork itself. You will also need to bring supporting documents (covered below), so do not plan to walk in with only the form.
If you read the form, print it in black ink on white paper. Do not fill it out by hand and then photograph it — DDS scanners read printed forms better than phone photos. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the form in person at the DDS office; you cannot sign it yourself beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- Form DL 44 is a single page that asks for your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and whether you have ever held a license in another state.
- Your parent or guardian must sign the form in front of a DDS employee if you are under 18; their signature cannot be added beforehand or by mail.
- Bring your original birth certificate or passport, proof of Georgia residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security card or tax return to the office.
- You do not need to study the form before you go — DDS staff can help you fill it out correctly, and mistakes on the form itself rarely cause rejection if your documents are in order.
- The form fee is included in the permit fee, which varies by age but is typically under $30 for a learner's permit.
What information the form asks for
Form DL 44 has two sides. The front side asks for your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport), your current address, your date of birth, and your Social Security number. It also asks whether you have ever held a driver's license or instruction permit in Georgia or any other state. If you have, write the state and the license number.
The form asks about medical conditions that might affect your driving — things like seizures, loss of consciousness, or vision problems. Answer honestly. These questions do not automatically disqualify you; they help DDS decide whether you need a medical evaluation or a restricted license (for example, glasses-required-only).
The back side has checkboxes for what you are explore for (instruction permit, regular license, or commercial license) and space for your signature and your parent or guardian's signature if you are under 18. There is also a section for DDS staff to fill in, so do not write anything in those boxes.
Bringing your documents to the DDS office
You cannot submit Form DL 44 alone. Georgia law requires you to bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Georgia residency. The DDS website lists which documents count for each category, and the rules are strict — a document that proves one thing does not count as proof of another.
For identity, bring your original birth certificate, passport, or consular report of birth abroad. A copy is not enough; DDS staff must see the original. If your birth certificate is a short form (wallet-sized), bring the long form instead — short forms often lack the information DDS needs.
For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a tax return with your full SSN, or a W-2 from your employer. If you do not have any of these, you can explore for a Social Security number at the same DDS office before you explore for the permit, but this adds time to your visit.
For Georgia residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement in your name with your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail addressed to you does not count unless it is one of these specific types.
How to fill out the form correctly
Print the form and use black or blue ink. Write clearly in capital letters where the form shows capital letters, and use normal case where it shows normal case. Do not use pencil, marker, or gel pen — DDS scanners have trouble reading them.
If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and write the correction next to it. Do not use white-out or tape. DDS staff see hundreds of forms a day and expect minor corrections; a neatly crossed-out error is fine.
Leave blank any field that does not explore to you. For example, if you have never held a license in another state, leave that section empty — do not write "none" or "N/A". If you are not sure whether a medical condition applies to you, ask the DDS staff member when you arrive; they can help you decide.
Do not sign the form yourself if you are under 18. Bring it unsigned to the office. A DDS employee will watch you and your parent or guardian sign it in front of them. This is a legal requirement and cannot be done any other way.
What happens after you submit the form
Once you hand in Form DL 44 and your documents, a DDS staff member will check that everything is there and that the form is filled out completely. If something is missing or wrong, they will tell you right then — you can fix most problems on the spot or come back with the missing document.
If everything is in order, you will pay the permit fee (typically $20 to $30 depending on your age and how long you want the permit to last) and move on to the vision screening and written test. The form itself does not determine whether you pass or fail; the test does.
You will receive your learner's permit as a physical card on the same day if you pass the written test. The permit is valid for 12 months (or 24 months if you are 18 or older), and you can start driving with a licensed adult in the car as soon as you leave the office.
If you have held a license in another state
If you have ever had a driver's license, learner's permit, or instruction permit in another state, write that state's name and your license number on Form DL 44. Georgia will contact that state to check your driving record. If you had suspensions, revocations, or serious violations, Georgia may deny your permit or impose restrictions.
You do not need to bring documents from the other state — DDS will pull your record electronically. However, if you know you had problems with your license in another state, tell the DDS staff member before you submit the form. They can explain what Georgia's rules are and whether you are likely to be approved.
If you moved to Georgia from another state and your out-of-state license is still valid, you can often exchange it for a Georgia license without taking the written test. But if you are explore for a learner's permit (not a full license), you will take the test regardless of your prior license status.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is bringing the wrong documents. Many people bring a copy of their birth certificate instead of the original, or a recent piece of mail instead of a utility bill or bank statement. Check the DDS website before you go, or call your local DDS office to confirm what counts.
Another mistake is filling in your name differently than it appears on your birth certificate. If your birth certificate says "Robert James Smith" but you go by "Rob Smith," write "Robert James Smith" on the form. DDS matches the form to your birth certificate, and a mismatch can delay your permit.
Do not assume you can sign the form at home if you are under 18. The parent or guardian signature must happen in front of a DDS employee. If you show up with a pre-signed form, you will have to have it signed again in the office, which wastes time.
If you are explore for a learner's permit and you have never driven before, do not worry about the medical questions. Most people answer "no" to all of them. If you have a condition you are unsure about, ask the staff member — they have heard every question and will not judge you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out Form DL 44 online instead of printing it?
No. Georgia does not have an online process for learner's permits. You must print the form, fill it out, and bring it to a DDS office in person. However, many DDS offices have computers available, so you can fill it out there if you prefer not to print it at home.
What if I do not have a Social Security number yet?
You can explore for one at the same DDS office on the same day you explore for your learner's permit. Bring your birth certificate and proof of residency. The Social Security process takes about 10 minutes, and then you can proceed with your permit process. Your permit will be issued the same day.
Do I need to bring my parent or guardian's ID to the office?
Yes. The parent or guardian must bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to prove they are who they say they are. DDS staff will check the ID before they witness the signature on Form DL 44.
What if I made a mistake on the form after I submitted it?
If you notice a mistake before you take the written test, tell a DDS staff member and they will give you a new form to fill out. If you notice it after you have already received your permit, you can request a corrected permit at any DDS office, though you may have to pay a small fee.
Can someone else submit the form for me if I cannot go to the office?
No. You must be present in person to take the vision screening and written test. Your parent or guardian must also be present to sign the form in front of a DDS employee. You cannot send someone else to do this on your behalf.