Teen Drivers

The Graduated Licensing System for Teens

Many states are adopting a graduated driver's licensing system for young drivers, and Georgia is no exception. The rationale behind this program is that drivers with little experience should avoid the more dangerous driving situations (such as driving at night or driving with friends in the car) until they have had more practice driving.

In Georgia, the law that defines the graduated licensing program is called the Teenage & Adult Driving Responsibility Act (TADRA). Getting a driver's license under TADRA is a three-step process:

1. The instructional/learner's permit is given to 15-year-olds who pass a written exam. A licensed driver 21 years of age or older must accompany the permitted driver at all times when they are behind the wheel.


2. The Class D license is issued to drivers between the ages of 16 and 18. To get the Class D license, you must have passed both the written and driving exams, and own an instructional permit for a minimum of 12 months, and complete 40 hours of supervised driving experience, six hours of which must be at night (you must keep a 40-Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide with Log log, and have your parent or guardian complete an affidavit verifying the hours). In addition, 16-year-olds must, as stated by the recently enacted Joshua's Law, complete a Department of Driver Services approved driving education course.

   This license carries the following restrictions:

   • No driving from midnight to 6 a.m.―no exceptions.
   • No driving with nonfamily members for the first six months after obtaining your Class D license. After six months, no more than one passenger under the age of 21; during the next six months, no more than three nonfamily passengers younger than 21.
   • You must complete an approved driving education course and 40 hours of supervised driving experience, six hours of which must be at night. You can keep a driving log, and your parent or guardian can complete an affidavit verifying the driving log.
   
   
3. The Class C license is issued to all drivers over the age of 18 upon successful passing of the written exam and driving test or after having a Class D license. To receive the Class C, you must not have had any major traffic convictions (DUI, drag racing, eluding a police officer, reckless driving, or hit and run) for the previous 12 months.

How to Get Your Learner's Permit

Fifteen-year-olds may apply for the learner's permit with their parent's or guardian's permission. You must still be in school, or show proof of graduation, to receive your learner's permit.

Apply for the permit at your local driver's license office with the following:

• Certified birth certificate or birth registration

• Certified court papers showing adoption or name change, if applicable

• Social Security card

• Certificate of Attendance signed by an official at your school

• Your parent or guardian, who will need to sign permission for you to obtain your permit

• $10 license fee

You will be required to take written and vision tests. Study the Georgia Driver's Manual to learn about traffic laws, rules of the road, safety, and traffic signals.

Your permit will be valid for 24 months, but if you get a ticket during that time, your permit could be suspended―even if you pay the fine.

How to Get Your Driver's License

You must hold your learner's permit for one year and one day before applying for a Class C (regular) driver's license. You will need to make an appointment for the driving test―you can do this up to 90 days ahead of time.

For an appointment if you are in metro Atlanta, call (678) 413-8500 and select option 3. In other parts of the state, call toll-free (866) 754-3687 to schedule your driving appointment.

You will need to bring with you the same documentation listed above for the learner's permit, plus the following:

• Your ADAP card (see below)

• A properly insured and inspected vehicle in which to take your driving test. You will be asked for the documentation. A rental car is not acceptable.

You cannot keep your license if you withdraw from school before you turn 18 or if you have 10 unexcused absences.

You may take the driving test as many times as necessary. The first test can be taken after holding the permit for one year and one day. If you fail the first test, you have to wait seven days to take the driving test again. If you fail a second time, you have to wait 30 days from the second attempt for a third attempt. All subsequent attempts must be at least 30 days apart.

Alcohol Drug Awareness Program (ADAP)

Georgia requires that all teen drivers under the age of 18 take the Alcohol Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) before they can receive their Class D driver's license.

The course is taught in public and private schools, usually during the ninth grade. For homeschoolers or others who may have missed the course, makeup classes are offered throughout the state on a varying schedule.

The four one-hour classes teach students the dangers of alcohol and drug use, especially while driving. At the end of the course, students will be given a test and must earn a score of 70 or more to pass. Upon successful completion, the student will be issued a card, which they must present to the driver's license office when applying for their license.

If you lose your ADAP card before you apply for your license, you can get a replacement by calling the ADAP office at (800) 245-4410. Please allow seven to 10 days for processing.

Zero Tolerance for Alcohol

You'll learn this in your ADAP class, but Georgia has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. If you are convicted of driving with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08, on your first offense your license will be suspended for one full year.

Parent/Teen Contract

The Georgia Office of Highway Safety provides a short-term contract between parent and child to promote safe driving. Parents are encouraged to review their teen's driving skills periodically, and to update their safety expectations to encourage maturity and growth in their student driver.

Georgia's Department of Driver Services has compiled a broad yet pertinent assortment of information and resources for and about teen drivers. These documents and publications make good reading for both teens who want to drive and the parents who are helping them.