Behind-the-Wheel Training in Georgia

Georgia Behind-the-Wheel Training

If you're a teenager applying for your first driver's license with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), you'll need to satisfy the requirements of Teenage & Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA).

The Act requires you complete the graduated driver's license (GDL) program, which includes completion of behind-the-wheel supervised driving practice.

Your behind-the-wheel requirements will allow you to gain valuable driving experience and develop the skills necessary to pass your driving test.

On this page you'll find information about your driving practice requirements and the steps you need to take to get your first driver's license.

GA Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

If you are younger than 18 years old, you'll need to complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving practice while you hold your instructional permit.

If you want to obtain your provisional/intermediate license when you are between under 16 years old, you must also complete a Georgia Driver's Ed course, which includes driving training.

You can begin the GDL program when you are at least 15 years old by applying for your instructional permit and enrolling in a driver's training course.

For more information, please visit our pages on those topics:

Driver's Training in Georgia

Behind-the-wheel driver's training is required if you are younger than 16 years old and are applying for your provisional driver's license.

To satisfy the requirement, you must first obtain your instructional permit. Once you have your permit, you can enroll in a Driver's Ed program, which will include at least 30 hours of classroom training and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driving instructor.

Generally, you'll begin the in-car instruction after you complete the classroom component of your program.

For a complete list of approved driver’s training schools, please visit the Georgia DMV website.

NOTE: The driver's training component of Driver's Ed can also be satisfied through the Parent Supervised on the Road Program. Download and read the 40-Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide for more information.

Contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services at (678) 413-8400 with any questions.

Supervised Driving Practice

During the learner's permit stage of the GDL program, you can ONLY drive if a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old supervises you.

Before advancing from your learner's permit to your intermediate driver's license, you'll need to complete at least 40 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice with at least 6 hours completed at night.

Your parent/legal guardian will need to sign your application, verifying you have completed this requirement.

Next Steps - Getting Your Provisional License

You'll be eligible to take your driving test and apply for your provisional driver's license when you:

  • Are at least 16 years old (16 years old if you have not completed a Driver's Ed/driver's training but have completed the Joshua’s Law component).
  • Have held your learner's permit for at least 1 year and 1 day and haven't committed any major traffic violations.
  • Have completed your behind-the-wheel supervised driving practice.

You can schedule your road test by calling the Georgia DDS. Visit the DDS website for appointment scheduling and local phone numbers.

For more information, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Georgia page.

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