Georgia ADAP & TADRA: DDS Driver Responsibility

• The Georgia Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) student manual was revised October 2022 by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

DDS Board of Directors

• Consists of: David W. Connell (Chair), Jeff Markey (Vice Chair), Britt Fleck (Secretary), Rachel Little, Bob Pierce, Kat Satterfield, Tony Guisasola, Christie Moore, and Frank Reynolds.
• The DDS Board reminds teens that driving is a privilege carrying responsibilities.
• This manual informs young people of the dangers of consuming alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle.
• Its purpose is to emphasize the importance of highway safety and crash prevention.
• The DDS has 68 locations throughout the state, reachable via dds.georgia.gov.

DDS Services

• DDS offers online services and a mobile app, "DDS 2 GO", to avoid trips to a Customer Service Center.
• A $5.00 discount may apply for eligible license types that are renewed online.

Chapter 1: TADRA (Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act)

• TADRA, enacted in 1997, aims to reduce fatal motor vehicle crashes involving teenage drivers.
• It introduces a three-step Graduated Driver's Licensing process for 15–18-year-olds.
• Contains provisions for DUI prevention, enforcement, and school enrollment requirements.
• In the 5½ years post-TADRA enactment, fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers in Georgia decreased by 36.8%.
• Researchers found speed-related fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds declined by nearly 50%.
• Researchers found that alcohol-related crashes involving 16-year-olds declined by 62%.
• A 2016 study reports that fatal crash rates have been maintained or further decreased up to 15.5 years after TADRA passage.
• Greatest declines in fatal crash rates were among 16 and 17-year-olds, primarily male drivers.

Georgia's Graduated Driver's License Process

Instructional Permit - Class CP

• A Class CP permit is granted to individuals at least 15 years old after passing a written knowledge exam.
• CP holders can operate a Class C vehicle only when accompanied by someone at least 21 years of age, licensed to drive a Class C vehicle, and capable of controlling the vehicle.

Provisional License - Class D

• The Class D license is granted to 16 and 17-year-olds who have held a Class CP for 12 months and one day.
• Applicants must not have major traffic violations, have completed ADAP, met Joshua's Law and TADRA requirements, and passed a road skills test.
• Joshua's Law (O.C.G.A. §40-5-22) mandates proof of completing at least 30 hours of theoretical instruction (classroom or online) and 6 hours of practical behind-the-wheel training.

Class D Restrictions

• Class D holders cannot drive between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. without exceptions.
• During the first six months, only immediate family members can be passengers.
• "Immediate family member" includes parents, stepparents, grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, children, and any resident of the driver's household.
• During the second six months, only one passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member can be present.
• After the first and second six-month periods, only three non-family-member passengers under 21 are allowed.
• It is mandatory to have completed 30 hours of theoretical instruction and 6 hours of practical behind-the-wheel training to obtain a Provisional License (Class D).

Full License - Class C

• Class D holders can apply for a Class C Georgia driver's license upon turning 18 if they have not been convicted of major traffic violations in the preceding 12 months, including:
  • DUI (O.C.G.A. §40-6-391)
  • Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (O.C.G.A. §40-6-395)
  • Racing on highways or streets (O.C.G.A. §40-6-186)
  • Reckless driving (O.C.G.A. §40-6-390)
  • Hit and run or leaving the scene of a crash (O.C.G.A. §40-6-270)
  • Violations resulting in four or more points against the driver's license.

TADRA Suspensions (Non-DUI)

• Georgia applies strict penalties for teens violating traffic laws.
• Persons under 21 convicted of specified offenses have their licenses suspended.
• The first conviction results in a 6-month suspension.
• Second or subsequent convictions result in a 12-month suspension.
• Offenses include: hit and run, racing, eluding police, reckless driving, aggressive driving, underage possession of alcohol while operating a vehicle, any offense with 4+ points, or accumulating 4+ points in 12 months while under 18.

TADRA Suspensions (DUI)

• In Georgia, those under 21 are presumed to be DUI if operating a vehicle with a BAC of .02 or higher (O.C.G.A. §40-6-391(k)(1)).
• A BAC of .02 or higher but less than .08 leads to a license suspension for at least 6 months.
• If there is a previous conviction, a 12-month suspension occurs without eligibility for a limited driving permit.
• A BAC of .08 or higher, or refusal of implied consent testing, incurs a minimum 12-month suspension without a limited driving permit.
• A second DUI offense within 5 years leads to a minimum 18-month suspension.
• The 1st 120 days have no driving privileges.
• After 120 days, eligibility for an ignition interlock device is possible for 12 months.
• A third DUI offense results in being declared a habitual violator with a 5-year license revocation and a 12-month ignition interlock requirement upon reinstatement eligibility.
• A fourth DUI within 10 years is considered a felony, leading to a fine up to $5,000 and 5 years imprisonment (O.C.G.A. §40-6-391(c)(4)).

TADRA School Enrollment Requirements (O.C.G.A. §40-5-22)

• To obtain a driver's license or instructional permit, teens under 18 must be enrolled in a public or private school and not be under expulsion.
• Required proof includes: DDS Certificate of School Enrollment (DS-1), transcript, progress/grade report, or school ID.
• Homeschooled students can provide a Certificate of Enrollment from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) or a Declaration of Intent to Utilize a Home Study Program form filed with DOE.
• Non-enrolled teens under 18 must provide a high school diploma, GED, special diploma, certification of high school completion, or proof of enrollment in a GED or postsecondary program.
• A responsible adult, who can be a parent, legal guardian, social worker, employee of a homeless shelter, stepparent, or identified official, must sign the application and complete the Responsible Adult Affidavit.
• Parents, legal guardians, or responsible adults who signed a minor's application can request revocation of the permit or license before the minor's 18th birthday.
• Georgia law requires that all drivers, including bicyclists, obey official highway signs and traffic signals unless directed otherwise by a police officer or emergency worker.

Chapter 2: Traffic Laws & Safe Driving

• The Hands-Free Georgia Act (O.C.G.A. §40-6-241) prohibits handheld device use while driving.
• Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. §40-8-76) requires that each occupant in a front seat be restrained by a seat safety belt.

Occupant Safety

• O.C.G.A. §40-8-76: requires that each occupant in a front seat be restrained by a seat safety belt.

Safety Belts

• The most effective occupant protection in crashes.
• Safety belts help you to keep control of the vehicle, keep your head from striking the dash or windshield, keep people in the vehicle from hitting each other, spread the crash force across the stronger parts of the body, and keep you from being ejected from the vehicle.

Safety Restraints for Children

• Children less than 8 years of age must be in car/booster seats in back seat of passenger automobiles and vans, and pickup trucks.
• The restraint system comply with the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

Distracted Driving

• Distracted driving is doing another activity while driving.
• Takes the driver's attention away from the primary task of driving and increases the risk of crashing.

Texting and Driving

• The Hands-Free Georgia Act (O.C.G.A. §40-6-241) requires drivers to refrain from physically holding or supporting a wireless telecommunications device.
• Drivers are also prohibited from writing, sending, or reading any text messages, and watching, recording, or broadcasting videos.
• Wireless communications include cellular telephones, portable telephones, text-messaging devices, personal digital assistants, computers, and any other portable wireless devices.
• The device can only be used with an earpiece, wrist device, mounted phone holder, or Bluetooth.
• 1st conviction: 1 point and fine not more than $50.00, 2nd conviction: 2 points and fine not more than $100.00, 3rd or more convictions: 3 points and fine not more than $150.00.

Safe Driving

• To commit to distraction-free driving, teens can pledge to never text or talk on the phone while driving, be a good passenger and speak out if the driver is distracted, and encourage friends and family to drive distraction-free.
• The Parent/Teen Driving Agreement available in this manual can be used to take a pledge against distracted driving.

Steering

• Place your left hand at the 9 o'clock position and your right hand at the 3 o'clock position on the wheel.
• Some manufacturers recommend placing your hands at 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions when the vehicle is equipped with air bags.

Driving After Sunset

• Driving after sunset presents reduced visibility.
• Young drivers may find it difficult to determine the size, speed, color, and distance of objects.
• The fatal crash rate of teenage drivers is about four times as high at night.

Speed

• Speeding is one of the most common factors contributing to traffic crashes.
• In 2020, speeding killed 11,258 people, and GDOT reported 380 speed-related deaths on Georgia roads.

Space Management

• Rear-end collisions are often caused by following another vehicle too closely.

Tire Pressure

• Prior to entering the vehicle, use a tire pressure gauge to check your psi.
• One easy way to measure tread depth and check for wear is by using the penny test.

Alcohol

• All states, including Georgia, prohibit youth under 21 years of age from purchasing alcohol.
• Zero tolerance laws in all states make it illegal for youth under age 21 to drive with a BAC of .02 or greater.

Marijuana

• Driving under the influence of marijuana impairs judgment, distorts perception, alters senses, and slows the ability to react.

Cocaine

• Cocaine is a dangerous stimulant that speeds up the body, affects the brain, and increases the blood pressure and heart rate.

MDMA/Ecstasy

• MDMA affects the brain causing confusion, anxiety, depression, and paranoia.

Inhalants

• Inhalants starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly which can lead to a loss of consciousness or at least asphyxiation.

Chapter 4: Summary & Discussion

• Per O.C.G.A. §40-5-22(a), individuals under 18 must complete the Georgia ADAP to obtain a driver's license.
• Individual reactions to alcohol depends on factors such as: age, gender, the presence of food, how quickly alcohol was consumed, concurrent use of drugs or prescription drugs, and family history of alcohol problems.