Am I required to take a driver's education course to obtain my license?

• 16 year olds: Yes, completion of a state approved driver education course is required to obtain a Class D license. Additional, 16 years olds must complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night. A certificate of completion from the driver education school must be presented at time of application for a Class D Driver's License.
  
• 17 years olds: No, 17 year olds are not required to complete a driver education, but are required to complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night.
  

 

What is a "30 and 6" driver's education course?

A 30 and 6 driver's education course is a course that consists of at least 30 hours of classroom training on the rules of the road and other related matters and 6 hours of behind the wheel training, where the student is driving the vehicle while an approved instructor observes and coaches the student's driving performance. Insurance companies require teen drivers to complete a 30 and 6 course before offering any premium discounts.

 

Can I take Driver Education online?

The classroom portion of a driver education course can be taken online. Click here for information on the online course. To complete the driver education requirements, the online program must be used in conjunction with 6 hours of behind the wheel training with an approved school or with the Parent/Teen Driving Guide, which is available as a free download here.

 

What is the Parent/Teen Driving Guide?

The Parent/Teen Guide is a handbook that provides suggestions for in-car lessons to help parents prepare their teenagers for the responsibilities of driving. This technical assistance guide provides parents with a systematic approach to teach their teenagers to make safe driving decisions. The suggested lessons in the guide follow a sequential learning pattern that progresses from the parking lot to neighborhoods, to light traffic to rural highways, to expressways and then to city driving. The Parent/Teen Driving Guide can be used in conjunction with a DDS approved online driver education course to meet the requirements of Joshua's Law. The Guide is available as a free download here.

 

What is Joshua's Law?

Senate Bill 226 also known as "Joshua's Law" was passed during the 2005 General Assembly. Beginning January 1, 2007, all 16 year-olds applying for a Class D driver's license must complete an approved driver education course and complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night, with a parent or guardian's sworn verification that these requirements have been met. Any Georgia resident who has not completed an approved driver education course must be at least 17 years old to be eligible for a Class D driver's license. He or she must have completed a total of at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least 6 hours at night. The same verification in writing by a parent or guardian is required.

 

What are the different methods to obtain driver education?

• 30 hours of classroom training and 6 hours of behind the wheel training at an approved DDS school (students will also need an additional 40 hours of supervised driving); or
• 30 hours of classroom training at an approved DDS school and completion of the 40 hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide (The parent taught is a 40 hour comprehensive driving course); or
• Completion of a DDS approved online program and 6 hours of behind the wheel training at an approved DDS school (students will also need an additional 40 hours of supervised driving); or
• Completion of a DDS approved online program and completion of the 40 hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide (The parent taught is a 40 hour comprehensive driving course).
• ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE 6 HOURS OF SUPERVISED DRIVING AT NIGHT.

 

Which driver education methods qualify for insurance discounts?

Only a 30 hour classroom and 6 hours behind wheel course, taken at a DDS approved driver education school, meets the requirements for an insurance discount. Online programs, the Parent/Teen Driving Guide or courses consisting of less then 30 and 6 do not qualify individuals under 25 for insurance discounts. Check with your insurance company for a complete list of requirements.

 

Can you earn a tax credit for taking a driver education courses?

Yes, parents or guardians are eligible for a tax credit in an amount up to a $150 if their dependent minor child successfully completes a course through a private driver education school that is licensed with the DDS. A copy of the Certificate of Completion and proof of the fees paid for the course will be required to qualify for the credit. The amount of the credit is equal to $150 or the actual amount paid, whichever is less. Courses taken at private or public high schools do not qualify for this credit. Check with the Department of Revenue for more information.

 

Source: Georgia Department of Driver Services (Updated 1/22/2007)