Key Takeaways
- Georgia DDS offices are open Monday through Friday only; no Saturday or Sunday testing is available at state offices.
- Most locations operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours vary by office and some close for lunch between noon and 1 p.m.
- You can find your local office's exact hours on the DDS website or by calling the office directly before you visit.
- Some third-party testing locations (private driver schools) may offer different hours than DDS offices, including some evening or weekend slots.
- Arriving early in the day or mid-week typically means shorter wait times than late afternoon or Friday visits.
Standard DDS Office Hours Across Georgia
Most Georgia DDS locations operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but this is not a rule that applies everywhere. Some offices in larger cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta keep these hours consistently, while smaller regional offices may close earlier or operate on a shorter schedule. A few locations close for lunch between noon and 1 p.m., which means you could arrive at 12:30 p.m. and find the office temporarily shut down.
The DDS website lists each office's hours individually, and those hours do change. An office might shift to reduced hours during certain seasons, or close for state holidays. Calling ahead takes five minutes and saves you a wasted trip. The main DDS customer service line can direct you to your local office and confirm whether they are open on the day you plan to visit.
How to Find Your Local Office's Schedule
The Georgia DDS website has a location finder tool where you enter your county or city and see all nearby offices with their hours listed. You can also search by address if you know which office is closest to you. Each office listing includes the phone number, so you can call and ask about wait times on the day you want to test.
If you cannot reach the office by phone, the DDS website also shows which holidays the office observes, so you can avoid those dates. State holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day typically close all DDS offices, but some offices may also observe additional local holidays. Checking the website before you plan your visit prevents the frustration of arriving to find the office closed.
Why Timing Matters: Wait Times by Day and Time
Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are the busiest times at most DDS offices. People often schedule their permit tests on Mondays after the weekend or try to squeeze in a Friday appointment before the office closes. If you have flexibility, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoons typically have shorter waits. Early morning visits (right when the office opens at 8 a.m.) also tend to move faster than mid-day.
Wait times are not may provide, and they vary by location and season. A rural office might have no wait at all, while a busy urban location could have a 30-minute to 2-hour wait even on a quiet day. If you call ahead, the staff can give you a realistic sense of how busy they are that day and what time is typically slowest.
Third-Party Testing Locations and Their Hours
Georgia allows certain private driver training schools and testing centers to administer learner's permit tests on behalf of DDS. These third-party locations sometimes offer hours that DDS offices do not, including evening appointments or limited Saturday availability. However, not all third-party locations are available in every county, and their fees are higher than the state DDS fee.
If you need to test outside standard Monday-to-Friday business hours, search the DDS website for "third-party examiners" in your county. You will see which private schools or testing centers are authorized and what their hours are. Keep in mind that you still need to bring the same documents and meet the same age and residency requirements as you would at a DDS office.
What to Bring and How Long the Test Takes
Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and your completed DL 44 form (the process). The written test itself takes 15 to 30 minutes, but the full appointment—including waiting, check-in, and processing—usually runs 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how busy the office is. Arriving early gives you a buffer if the office is unexpectedly crowded.
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day at some offices, but others require you to schedule a new appointment. Ask when you call to confirm hours whether same-day retesting is available at your location.
Planning Around School and Work Schedules
If you are a student, you may need to test after school or on a day off. Most DDS offices close by 5 p.m., so after-school appointments are tight unless you can leave school early. Some offices in larger cities stay open until 5:30 or 6 p.m., but this is rare. Checking your local office's hours first tells you whether an after-school slot is realistic.
If you work during the day, you have a few options: take a long lunch break and test mid-day, use a personal day or vacation time, or look for a third-party testing location with evening hours. Some employers allow you to leave early for a permit test if you give notice, so it is worth asking your manager before you assume you cannot test during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test on Saturday or Sunday in Georgia?
No, Georgia DDS offices do not offer learner's permit testing on weekends. If you need a weekend appointment, you would have to use a third-party testing location, which may or may not be available in your county and will cost more than the DDS fee.
What if my local DDS office is closed on a holiday?
All Georgia DDS offices close on state holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Independence Day. Check the DDS website for the full holiday schedule, and plan your test for a weekday when the office is open.
Do I need an appointment to test for my learner's permit?
Most Georgia DDS offices accept walk-ins for learner's permit tests, but some locations now use an appointment system. Call your local office to find out whether you need to schedule ahead or can just show up during business hours.
What time of day has the shortest wait?
Early morning (8 to 9 a.m.) and mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) typically have shorter waits than Friday afternoons or Monday mornings. However, wait times vary by location, so calling ahead gives you the most accurate picture.
Can I test at any Georgia DDS office, or do I have to go to the one in my county?
You can test at any DDS office in Georgia, not just the one in your county. If an office near your work or school has better hours or shorter waits, you can test there instead.