Driving Age Requirements in Georgia

The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act introduced a graduated driver's license program in the state of Georgia. As a result, young drivers gain additional freedoms as they get older and become more experienced behind the wheel. Here's the lowdown on the driving age in Georgia.

Applying for an Instructional Permit at 15

Getting your instructional permit is the first step toward getting on the road. The driving age in Georgia is a bit more complicated than in other states due to its graduated license program. Georgia is similar to most states, however, in that you're allowed to apply for your instructional permit when you turn 15.

All drivers under 18 are required to have their permit for at least one year before they can get a license.

Getting a Provisional License at 16 or 17

When it comes to the driving age in Georgia, 16 isn't quite the magic number like it is in some states. In Georgia, you can get your Class D provisional license when you turn 16 if you meet a few additional requirements. To get a Class D license at 16, you must:

• Pass a driving exam
• Complete a Georgia Department of Driver Services-approved driver's education course
• Log at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least six hours at night
• Have had your permit for at least one year

Getting a provisional license is a little easier at 17. You're still required to pass a driving exam, have logged at least 40 hours of driving practice and to have had your permit for at least a year, but you don't need to take a driver's education course.

It's important to remember that Class D provisional licenses come with several restrictions. For example, drivers with Class D licenses are limited in the number of passengers they can carry and they are unable to drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m.

Driving as an Adult

Eighteen is the official driving age in Georgia. That's when you're eligible for your full-license (as long as you haven't committed any major traffic violations within the past 12 months.)