What a LAQ is and why Georgia requires it

A LAQ stands for Learner's Permit Acknowledgment Questionnaire. It is a document you must complete and sign before you take the written test for your learner's permit in Georgia. The LAQ is not a test itself — it is a form that confirms you understand the rules of the road and the responsibilities that come with driving.

Georgia requires the LAQ because the state wants to make sure you have read and understood the information in the Georgia Driver's Manual before you sit for the permit exam. When you sign the LAQ, you are confirming that you know what the manual covers and that you take those rules seriously.

You cannot skip the LAQ or submit it online ahead of time. You will complete it in person at the Department of Driver Services (DDS) office on the day you take your written test.

Key Takeaways

  • The LAQ is a signed acknowledgment form you complete at the DDS office before taking your learner's permit written test.
  • You must read the Georgia Driver's Manual or watch the approved video before you arrive, because the LAQ confirms you have reviewed that material.
  • The LAQ itself does not have a passing or failing score — you sign it to confirm understanding, and then you take the separate written test.
  • Bring a valid form of identification and your Social Security number when you go to complete the LAQ and take your test.

What the LAQ asks you to confirm

The LAQ is straightforward. It asks you to confirm that you have read the Georgia Driver's Manual or watched the state's approved video presentation. It also asks you to acknowledge that you understand the basic rules of safe driving, traffic laws, and what it means to hold a learner's permit.

The form includes statements about your understanding of things like speed limits, right-of-way rules, what you can and cannot do while driving with a learner's permit, and the consequences of breaking traffic laws. You read each statement and sign to say you understand it.

This is not a trick document. The questions are straightforward, and the point is straightforward to make sure you have done the preparation work before you take the written test. If you have read the manual or watched the video, you will have no trouble with the LAQ.

How to prepare for the LAQ before you go to DDS

Start by reading the Georgia Driver's Manual from beginning to end. You can get a free copy at any DDS office, or you can read it from the Georgia DDS website. The manual covers everything from basic traffic signs to parking rules to what to do in an emergency.

If reading is not your preferred way to learn, Georgia offers an approved video presentation that covers the same material. You can watch this video online or at some DDS offices. Either the manual or the video will prepare you for the LAQ.

Take notes as you read or watch. Pay special attention to sections on learner's permit restrictions, because those rules will come up both on the LAQ and on your written test. You do not need to memorize every detail, but you should understand the main points about safe driving and Georgia traffic laws.

What happens when you arrive at DDS to take the LAQ

Bring your valid identification (a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card), your Social Security number, and proof of your Georgia residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address). You will also need to bring the completed process form if your DDS office requires it — check ahead by calling or visiting the office website.

When you arrive, a DDS staff member will give you the LAQ form. You will read through it, sign it, and hand it back. This usually takes just a few minutes. After you submit the LAQ, you will move on to take your written test for the learner's permit.

The LAQ and the written test are two separate things. Signing the LAQ does not mean you have passed anything — it just means you are ready to take the test. Your actual learner's permit depends on passing the written exam, not on the LAQ.

The difference between the LAQ and your written test

The LAQ is a form you sign to confirm you have prepared. The written test is the actual exam where you answer questions about traffic laws and safe driving. You need to pass the written test to get your learner's permit; the LAQ is just the step that comes before it.

The written test in Georgia has 40 questions, and you need to answer at least 30 correctly to pass. The questions cover road signs, right-of-way, speed limits, parking, and safe driving practices. The test is based on the same Georgia Driver's Manual you read to prepare for the LAQ.

If you fail the written test, you can take it again. You will need to complete a new LAQ each time you retake the test, but you do not need to re-read the entire manual — just review the areas where you struggled.

What to do if you did not prepare before arriving at DDS

If you show up at DDS without having read the manual or watched the video, you have options. Some DDS offices have copies of the manual available, and you can read it while you wait. Some offices also have computers where you can watch the approved video presentation.

Ask the DDS staff when you arrive. They can tell you whether your office has these resources and how much time you will need. Many people spend 30 to 45 minutes reviewing the manual before taking the LAQ and written test on the same day.

That said, rushing through the manual right before the test is not ideal. You will understand the material better and do better on the written test if you take time to read or watch the material carefully before you go to DDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the LAQ online or by mail?

No. You must complete the LAQ in person at a DDS office on the day you take your written test. There is no online or mail option for the LAQ.

What if I do not understand something on the LAQ form?

Ask the DDS staff member who gives you the form. They can explain any statement or question you are unsure about. The LAQ is meant to be clear, but if something is confusing, the staff can help.

Do I need to study for the LAQ the way I study for the written test?

No. The LAQ is not a test. You just need to have read the Georgia Driver's Manual or watched the video so that you can honestly sign the form saying you understand the material. The written test is what you need to study for.

What happens if I sign the LAQ but then fail the written test?

Failing the written test does not affect the LAQ. You will straightforward retake the written test at a later date. You will complete a new LAQ when you come back to take the test again.

Is the LAQ the same at every DDS office in Georgia?

Yes. The LAQ is a state form, so it is the same at every DDS office across Georgia. The process and what you need to bring are also the same everywhere.