How to Get a Georgia Learner's Permit

Qualifying for a Learner's Permit

Georgia residents must be at least 15 years old to apply for a permit, which is the first step for aspiring drivers. The Georgia Department of Driver Services operates dozens of locations around the state where teenagers can complete their permit requirements, allowing them to get on the road.

Applying for a Learner's Permit

When it comes to getting a Georgia learner's permit, one of the biggest challenges is making sure that you have all the necessary paperwork. This includes:

• One document verifying your identity (like a birth certificate or passport)
• One document verifying your social security number (typically a social security card)
• Two documents verifying your Georgia residence (like school report cards or bank statements)

The Georgia DDS has created a list of acceptable documents for your reference. All documents are required to be in English.

In addition to assembling all the aforementioned documents, permit applicants under the age of 18 also need to provide either a Certificate of Attendance from their school, signed within the last 30 days, or proof that they've earned their high school diploma or GED. To top it all off, applicants need to bring along a parent, guardian or driver's education teacher to sign their permit application, as well as $10 to cover their permit fee. The Georgia DDS accepts credit and debit cards, cash, money orders or checks.

Passing the Written Exam

Once all the paperwork is out of the way, permit applicants must complete a vision exam and a written test. The written test asks applicants to identify 20 standard highway signs and answer 20 questions about the rules of the road. Applicants must correctly answer at least 15 questions in each category to pass. The Georgia DDS provides a free online practice test to help future drivers prepare for the written exam.

What Comes Next

Applicants who pass these tests will leave the DDS with a permit in hand, ready to get behind the wheel ... as long as there's an adult with a valid driver's license who is 21 or older in the front seat. Drivers who've had their Georgia learner's permit for at least one year are then eligible for a Class D provisional license.