Georgia Driver's License Requirements

Right-of-Way Rules

• When making a left turn, yield the right-of-way to all traffic coming from the opposite direction
• At intersections with traffic control lights, wait until the intersection is clear of traffic or approaching traffic before entering

Merging Traffic

• When the roadway you are traveling on is merging into other traffic without stopping, adjust your speed and vehicle position to allow you to merge into the new lane safely
• When traffic from another roadway is merging into the roadway you are traveling on, safely change lanes away from the merging traffic if possible
• If it is not possible to change lanes away from the merging traffic, adjust your speed and vehicle position to safely allow the traffic to merge

Obtaining a Georgia Driver's License

• Be at least 18 years of age, or 17 years of age if surrendering a valid license equivalent to a Georgia Class C license with no time, route, purpose, or passenger restrictions
• Provide proof of identity, citizenship, or lawful presence in the United States, and Georgia residency
• Pass a vision test and submit to a background check
• Surrender a valid license issued by another state or territory of the United States or by a foreign country
• Non-citizens are not required to surrender their foreign non-commercial license or permit

Documents Required

• Proof of identity (see page 6 for a complete list of acceptable documents)
• Proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the United States (see page 6 for a complete list of acceptable documents)
• Proof of Georgia residency (see page 6 for a complete list of acceptable documents)
• Two documents to prove Georgia residency
• Social Security Number (which will be verified with the Social Security Administration)

Transferring a License/Permit/ID from Another Country or U.S. Territory

• Surrender a valid license issued by another state or territory of the United States or by a foreign country
• If you do not have the out of country license/permit/ID in your possession, provide a Motor Vehicle Report/Driving History (printed in English) dated within the last 30 days from the country of license issuance
• Most non-citizen customers with a valid out of country driver's license, permit, or ID may retain their out of country document upon issuance of a Georgia-equivalent document

Road Test

• The parallel parking dimensions utilized in the driver's license test are 22 feet in length by 10 feet in depth
• Straight Line Backing: Back your car for a distance of approximately 50 feet at a slow rate of speed (not more than 10 miles per hour) as straight and as smoothly as possible
• You must turn your head and look behind the vehicle while backing

Driver Assistance Systems

• Applicants may perform the skills test in vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance technology
• However, the applicant must demonstrate their ability to operate the vehicle without such technology

Organ and Tissue Donation

• The Donate Life Georgia Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donor Registry was created in 2008 to allow Georgians an easy and user-friendly means of joining the state's donor registry
• Georgians can join the registry through the website at www.donatelifegeorgia.org, when renewing their driver license or ID online, or when obtaining/renewing their license or ID at a local DDS Customer Service Center

Learn about the eligibility criteria and required documents to obtain a driver's license in the state of Georgia. Discover the age, identity, and citizenship requirements to get behind the wheel.