Georgia is currently under a Public Health State of Emergency due to COVID-19. Schools are canceled through the academic year and many businesses are closed under the shelter-in-place order. The situation is changing every day, and it can be hard to keep up with all of the policy changes. Many teens and their parents are wondering what COVID-19 means for driver’s licensing. We’ve compiled some helpful information for teens in Georgia who want to earn their driver’s license during the pandemic.
Most road tests are waived.
It’s not possible to maintain a safe social distance while in a vehicle with an examiner. That’s why Georgia has temporarily waived the requirement for most road tests until the Public State of Emergency is lifted. Teens who waive the road test now will not be required to take the road test at a later date. In order to receive a driver’s license, the following requirements must be met:
- Teens age 16-18 must have held their Learner’s Permit (Class CP) for at least 1 year and 1 day with no violations. To upgrade to a Class D license, create a DDS Online Services account and select Renewal to process your new Class D License. You will need to confirm the information and enter payment for the upgrade. Once complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
- Anyone over age 18 with a Learner’s Permit can create a DDS Online Services account. The system will display a Class D License, if eligible. When you select Renewal, you can process your new Class C license. You will need to confirm the information and enter payment for the upgrade. Once complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
- If you do not have a current license or permit and you are over age 17, you must schedule an appointment to take the appropriate knowledge exams. When you go to the DDS office to take your knowledge exam, you may bring one person with you (e.g., a parent, guardian, or Responsible Adult).
Alternative options are available for proof of school enrollment.
Teens need to show proof of school enrollment in order to get their driver’s license. Usually, this is through a Certificate of School Enrollment (DS-1) that has to be signed by the applicant’s school and dated within the past 6 months. With schools closed, it may not be possible to get this form signed by the school. Here are some acceptable alternatives:
- A transcript from the applicant’s most recent school of attendance (does not have to be a certified transcript). Transcripts can usually be printed online in most school districts.
- A current progress or grade report with the applicant’s name printed on it. Most school districts allow students to print these from their websites.
- Current school ID issued by the school or school system.
- Other forms of school identification, showing the applicant’s first and last name.
16-year-olds can still complete online driver education.
For teens age 16, in addition to having held a Learner’s Permit for at least 1 year and 1 day, they must also complete a teen driver education course. Joshua’s Law requires 16-year-olds applying for a Class D License to complete an approved driver education course, as well as 40 hours of supervised driving (6 of which must be at night). With schools closed at this time, teens can’t go to a public school to complete driver education. They can, however, complete driver education online!
Georgia teens who need to complete a teen driver education course can take Safe2Drive’s online Georgia Driver Education course. Our course fulfills the 30-hour driver education requirement and is approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This course is completed entirely online, so it’s safe to do during the Public State of Emergency. You must be at least 15 years old before starting the online course. 17-year-olds are not required to take the course in order to receive their driver’s license, but we strongly recommend they do. Our course includes fun games and animations to help teens learn the essentials of driving.
Earning a driver’s license is one of the most important days of a teenager’s life. We hope this helps clear up some questions you may have about the process! For more information on our Georgia Driver Education course, please check out our website. If you’re interested in taking an online driver education course but you don’t live in Georgia, please visit our website to see which courses we offer in your state!
Georgia is currently under a Public Health State of Emergency due to COVID-19. Schools are canceled through the academic year and many businesses are closed under the shelter-in-place order. The situation is changing every day, and it can be hard to keep up with all of the policy changes. Many teens and their parents are wondering what COVID-19 means for driver’s licensing. We’ve compiled some helpful information for teens in Georgia who want to earn their driver’s license during the pandemic.