To get a learner’s permit in Georgia, you need to be at least 15 years old, visit a Department of Driver Services (DDS) Customer Service Center with documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Georgia residency, pass a vision screening and a two-part knowledge test, and pay a $10 fee. Applicants under 18 also need proof of school enrollment and a responsible adult who signs the application in person.
Age Requirement
You must be at least 15 and a Georgia resident to apply for a Class CP learner’s permit.1Georgia.gov. Apply for a Georgia Learner’s Permit (Class CP) There is no upper age limit. Adults who have never held a license go through the same permit process, but they skip the teen-specific pieces like school enrollment and parental consent.
Documents to Bring
The Class CP permit is REAL ID-compliant, so the paperwork rules are strict. Every document must be an original or a certified copy. Photocopies and images on your phone will not be accepted.2Georgia Department of Driver Services. Georgia REAL ID Information
Proof of Identity
Bring one document that proves who you are and shows you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful status. Common choices are:
- An original or certified U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal
- A valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, FS-545, or DS-1350)
Non-citizens can use a valid Permanent Resident Card, an unexpired Employment Authorization Card, or a foreign passport paired with a valid U.S. visa and I-94 form.3Georgia Department of Driver Services. How Do I Get a Learners Permit (Class CP)
Social Security Number
You enter your Social Security number on the online License/ID/Permit Form before your visit. If DDS cannot verify it electronically, you will need to bring a physical document showing all nine digits, such as your Social Security card, a W-2, or an SSA-1099.3Georgia Department of Driver Services. How Do I Get a Learners Permit (Class CP)
Two Proofs of Georgia Residency
You need two separate documents that show your name and a Georgia street address. Accepted options include utility bills dated within the past six months, a bank or credit union statement, a school transcript for the current or prior year, a lease agreement, or a vehicle registration card.2Georgia Department of Driver Services. Georgia REAL ID Information P.O. boxes do not count. For teens without bills in their own name, a school enrollment record or current school ID card typically works as one of the two.
Legal Name Documentation
If your current legal name is different from the one on your identity document, because of adoption or a court-ordered name change for example, bring a certified document that connects the two names, such as an amended birth certificate or a court order.
Extra Requirements If You’re Under 18
Teen applicants have two more things to line up.
Proof of School Enrollment
If you are under 18, you must show that you are enrolled in and not expelled from a public or private school, or that you have already earned a high school diploma or GED.4Georgia Department of Driver Services. Teen Drivers DDS accepts a notarized Certificate of School Enrollment (Form DDS-1) filled out by a school official, a school transcript, a recent progress or grade report, or a current school ID card.5Georgia Department of Driver Services. School Enrollment Documents
A Responsible Adult in Person
Someone at least 18 years old who has personal knowledge of you must come to the DDS office in person to sign your application and complete a Responsible Adult Affidavit. Usually this is a parent or legal guardian, but Georgia also allows a stepparent, a social worker who has worked with you, a certified driver training instructor with notarized authorization, or an employee of a homeless shelter where you live.6Georgia Department of Driver Services. Section 6 – Teen Driving Laws – Section: Responsible Adult Requirements The responsible adult must bring their own valid ID.
The Vision Screening
You need at least 20/60 vision in one eye, with or without corrective lenses, and a horizontal field of vision of at least 140 degrees with both eyes open.7Justia. Georgia Code 40-5-27 – Examination of Applicants If you wear glasses or contacts to pass the screening, your permit will carry a restriction requiring you to wear them whenever you drive.
The Knowledge Exam
The knowledge exam has two parts: Road Rules and Road Signs. Each part is 20 questions, and you need at least 15 correct on each to pass, which works out to 75 percent on both sections.8Georgia Department of Driver Services. Test and Exams Information The questions cover Georgia traffic laws, safe driving practices, right-of-way rules, and the meaning of road signs and signals.
All the material comes from the official Georgia Driver’s Manual, which DDS publishes free online. Study the whole manual, and pay extra attention to signs. The sign test catches more people off guard because it asks you to identify signs by shape and color alone, without any text.
At the DDS Customer Service Center
Before you go, fill out the License/ID/Permit Form on the DDS website. The form is required, and completing it in advance saves time at the counter.3Georgia Department of Driver Services. How Do I Get a Learners Permit (Class CP) Most locations take walk-ins for permit testing, but wait times vary.
The permit fee is $10, paid before testing. If you fail either part of the knowledge exam or the vision screening, the $10 is not refunded, and each retest costs another $10.9Georgia Department of Driver Services. Fees and Terms Once you pass everything, DDS takes your photo and issues a temporary permit on the spot. The permanent card arrives by mail.
What the Permit Lets You Do
A Class CP permit lets you practice driving, but only with supervision. Every time you are behind the wheel, someone in the front passenger seat must be:
- At least 21 years old
- Licensed to drive a noncommercial Class C vehicle
- Physically capable of taking control of the vehicle if needed
There is no exception for short trips or familiar roads. The supervising driver must always be present.10Justia. Georgia Code 40-5-24 – Instruction Permits; Graduated Licensing and Related Restrictions; Temporary Licenses
Your permit is valid for two years from the issue date.9Georgia Department of Driver Services. Fees and Terms If it expires before you move up to a Class D license, you will need to pay the fee and take the tests again.