How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Georgia
Learners permits are available to Georgia residents who successfully complete all license application steps. Many teenagers are eligible to start operating vehicles upon reaching a certain age while living in the state. DMV permits provide these young residents with limited driving privileges.
The regulations enforced are established to maintain safe environments for new, inexperienced drivers to learn basic skills. Unrestricted licenses are available to applicants only after permits are held for a certain amount of time.
State residents must adhere to DMV learners permit eligibility standards to become approved drivers. Licensing agencies use these guidelines to confirm that applicants are qualified to hold instructional permits. Drivers provide verification documents to the DMV to certify they meet all GA authorization requirements.
Lastly, applicants submit payment for licensing fees when requesting driving privileges. Find out more about the Georgia permit process with the following information.
Did you know? Studying for the GA written drivers test will give you a sharp advantage, as 7 out of 10 new driving license applicants fail the test on their first try. Get your copy of our Georgia DMV practice test to increase your odds of passing the test on your first attempt.
Georgia Learners Permit Eligibility Guidelines
Georgia driver permit requirements are enforced by the state DMV office. These rules determine whether residents are eligible to exercise legal driving privileges. Applicants must prove that they meet all necessary qualifications when requesting permits.
Residents who adhere to license age standards can apply to become legal GA drivers. The minimum age for obtaining learning licenses in the state is age 15. Minors below age 18 should present a Certificate of School Enrollment or proof of school completion to the DMV. Furthermore, these young drivers are required to have a parent, legal guardian or training instructor approve and sign their license application.
Anyone applying for DMV driver certification in GA must prove legal presence, identity and citizenship status in the state. A complete list of personal details and documentation necessary is found below.
- Full legal name
- Proof of Social Security Number (SSN):
- Social Security Card
- 1099 form
- W-2
- Pay stub
- Proof of legal presence and citizenship:
- Birth Certificate
- Valid U.S. Passport
- Alien or temporary resident form
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Birth Abroad
- Proof of identity:
- GA identification card
- Driver learners permit from out-of-state
- Valid U.S. Passport
- Foreign passport
- Military ID card
- Proof of residency:
- Recent utility bills
- Pay Stub
- School forms
- Property tax bill
- Lease or rental agreement
How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Georgia
Getting a learners permit as a state resident involves completing a number of steps to receive approval from the DMV. Many drivers may wonder how to get a driving permit online in Georgia. Obtaining permits completely online is not available for license applicants. Visiting a DMV office is always necessary. However, for extra convenience, application forms can be completed electronically in advance.
Drivers should follow these steps to successfully receive permit certification as quickly as possible.
- Complete the GA application for licenses by providing accurate person information. Forms are available online or in person at DMV offices. Online applications must be completed before visiting an official licensing agency.
- Gather all needed verification documents, certificates and forms to establish eligibility in the state. Prepare fee payments in advance.
- Find out where to get a learners permit in the state. Applicants can easily locate the most convenient DMV office online or by phone. Check the operating hours prior to visiting the agency. Some offices even allow drivers to schedule appointments in advance.
- Visit the DMV location and apply for a learners permit by submitting all required items. This includes applications, verifying documents, certificates and forms. Legal guardians must accompany minors and sign application forms for approval.
- Successfully pass the vision and knowledge exams administered at license offices. Before taking written tests, drivers should pay the permit fee using an acceptable method of payment.
Georgia learners permit cards are approved when each of the aforementioned steps is verified by the DMV.
The Georgia Driver Permit Test
DMV permit tests in Georgia include vision, knowledge and road skills assessments that test applicants’ readiness to hold licenses. Using exam scores, DMV officials are able to determine if drivers are ready to operate motor vehicles. To receive restricted licenses, residents must pass the vision and written knowledge tests.
Online drivers permit tests are unavailable in Georgia. Instead, license applicants should visit DMV offices where exams are administered. Generally, knowledge assessments take about half an hour for testers to complete.
The learners permit knowledge exam is split into two parts. The first section covers road rules in the state, while the second section covers road sign knowledge. All of the information needed to pass the examination is available in the state drivers manual. Mastery of road rules and road sign information is necessary for new drivers to correctly operate vehicles.
Residents are reminded of what to bring to permit tests for the vision exam portion. On testing day, drivers must bring their prescription eyewear to the accurately take the assessment. Applicants who fail the vision test are required to have an exam by a medical professional who can prescribe corrective glasses and/or contacts.
The state of Georgia offers DMV practice permit tests for new drivers to prepare for written examinations. Practice questions are presented in multiple-choice format, similar to the structure of the real assessment. Additionally, the questions go over road rules and sign information found in the official drivers manual. Applicants should study the manual, conveniently located online, and then take practice exams.
The official online drivers permit test is accessible for drivers to take at any time. Some third-party websites also offer practice exams.
Georgia Driving Permit Rules and Restrictions
Specific learners permit rules apply to all new GA drivers with restricted licenses. These laws are established to help license holders build safe and effective practices on the road. The basic permit regulations are listed below.
- While driving using permits, residents must have a valid supervisor in the car. Supervisors are required to:
- Be 21 years of age
- Hold valid licenses for Class C vehicles in the state
- Be capable of controlling the vehicle
- Remain in the passenger seat at all times
- GA permit driving hours enforce a curfew that prohibits being on the road from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. Restricted license holders must always follow the statewide curfew.
- For the first 6 months of permit use, drivers cannot have additional passengers in the car besides immediate family.
- For the last 6 months of permit use, drivers cannot have more than one additional passenger younger than 21 years of age in the car.
- Drivers must wear seatbelts while operating motor vehicles.
If GA learners license holders commit traffic violations, they are penalized based on the severity of the infraction. In some cases, drivers will be unable to apply for regular driving privileges for a longer period of time than normal.
When can you drive with a permit alone in Georgia? Residents must hold restricted permits for 12 months and 1 day before they can obtain regular licenses. Unrestricted permit applicants must be age 16, take drivers education courses, pass additional assessments, pay fees and more.
How long does a learners permit last for new Georgia drivers? Instructional permits in the state remain valid for 2 years.
Georgia Learners Permit Fees
New GA drivers may wonder, “How much does it cost to get your permit in the state?” The price of restricted licenses varies from other permit types available to residents. These fees cover the processing costs of new cards by state licensing agencies. Having this amount on hand before applying for driving privileges is good way to prepare for the licensing procedure.
The DMV permit rate for Georgia residents is good for 2 years is currently $10. Taxes may apply to transactions for license cards. When drivers become eligible to obtain unrestricted licenses, new costs are due.
If residents cannot pay the DMV permit price at the time of application, driving privileges could be denied. Furthermore, applicants are required to cover fees only using approved methods. Drivers should ensure they are using an acceptable form of payment to avoid any issues from arising.
Sources
- Instructional Permit (CP) from Georgia.gov
- Practice Driver Tests from Georgia.gov
- Tests and Exams Information from Georgia.gov