Where to Go

Department of Driver Services (DDS)
371 Gil Harbin Industrial Boulevard
Phone: (229)333-5385 After business hours: (229)333-5217
Business Hours: Tuesday-Friday from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Services Offered

  • Georgia Driver's License
  • Georgia ID

Georgia Driver's License vs Georgia ID

A Georgia ID is another form of identification that you can use while you are in the US, instead of using your passport to prove identity or age. A Georgia driver's license is similar functions to a Georgia ID, except that it also will prove that you are allowed to operate a motor vehicle (ex. car, motorcycle, moped).

How to Get a Georgia Driver's License or Georgia ID

Note: Only students who are interested in taking the road test portion Georgia Driver's License exam need appointments.

  1. Gather Documents

    1. 2 proofs of residence
    2. Passport
    3. Valid visa
    4. Most recently issued I-20 or DS-2019 (does not necessarily mean you will need a new one)
    5. I-94 card or print-out $20 for license or ID issuance (cash or credit/debit card)
    6. Your driver's license or ID from your home country
      • Students with a driver's license from South Korea must bring a verification letter from the South Korean Consulate. 

Steps below must be taken by students interested in getting a Georgia Driver's License as well. The Georgia DDS will issue you a license based on the results of two tests: a computerized knowledge test and a driving (road)test. 

  1. Take the Knowledge Exam (no appointment needed)

    1. Part 1 - The Vision Test
      Your eyes will be tested by means of a mechanical device. The minimum acceptable vision is 20/60 in one eye, with or without corrective lenses, and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees for a Regular Class license and 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses with a field of vision at least 140 degrees for a Commercial Class license. Upon failure of the field vision screening the applicant will be required to have a DS-274 (Vision Report Form) completed by a licensed optometrist.

      You will need to study the Driver's Manual for Parts 2,3 4 of the test.

    2. Part 2 - The Road Sign Test
      A set of questions on the meaning of standard highway signs will be given. You will be asked to identify certain signs, signals and markers. 15 out of 20 correct answers are necessary to pass.
    3. Part 3 - The Road Rules Test
      The road rules test consists of a set of questions about driver responsibility, knowledge of laws and safe driving practices, applicable to the class of license applied for. To pass the test, the applicants must answer at least 15 out of 20 questions correctly. The road rules tests are available in some non-English languages, but all drivers must show ability to read and understand simple English such as is used in highway traffic and directional signs. Road signs and actual driving test must be taken in English.
  2. Make an appointment for your driving (road) test
    • Call (678) 413-8400(select Option 4) or toll-free +1(866) 754-3687 (select Option 4) between 7.00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday to set up an appointment.
    • Part 4 - The Driving Test (Class C or D)

All road test vehicles must be covered by liability insurance, pass a safety inspection, and if the vehicle is not equipped with turn signals, you must know your hand signals. On the driving test you will be expected to do all or part of the following:

      • Parallel Parking: Park midway between two standards so that your car is not more than 18 inches from the curb.
      • Quick Stops: Drive at a speed of 20 miles per hour and make a quick, safe stop when the examiner instructs you.
      • Backing: Back your car for a distance of about 50 feet, at a slow rate of speed, and as straight and as smoothly as possible. Turn your head and look back at all times while backing.
      • Stopping for Signs or Traffic Signals: Give the proper hand or brake signal; approach in the proper lane; stop before reaching a pedestrian crosswalk; and remain stopped until you may move safely through.
      • Turning Around: Turn your car in a narrow space.
      • Use of Clutch: If your car has a standard transmission, you must shift smoothly and correctly.
      • Approaching Corners: You must be in proper lane and look in both directions.
      • Yielding Right-of-Way: Always yield right-of-way to pedestrians, motor vehicles, bicyclists or anyone else who moves into the intersection before you.
      • Turning: Get into the proper lane and give signal an adequate distance before reaching the turn.
      • Passing: Always look ahead and behind to make sure you can safely pass without interfering with other traffic.
      • Following: Do not drive too closely behind other cars. Watch the car ahead of you; when it passes some reference point, such as a telephone pole, then count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.” If you pass the same spot before you are through counting, you are following too closely.
      • Posture: Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Do not rest your elbow on the window and do not attempt to carry on a conversation with the Examiner because they will be busy giving instructions and recording your score. At the end of the test, the license examiner will gladly show you your score sheet and will provide you ample opportunity to discuss the test if you so desire. The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 75% to pass. 

Notes:

  1. Under Georgia law, no one is allowed to have more than one license at a time, regardless of where the license was issued. This means that if you tell the DDS that you have a driver's license in your own country, or an International Driver’s License, they will ask you to turn it in before they can issue you a Georgia drivers’ license.
  2. If you are planning to buy a car in the U.S., you must have insurance on it. It is illegal to drive an uninsured car. You may purchase liability insurance, which is cheaper but covers less, or full coverage, which costs more. See an insurance agent to set up a plan. Be aware that the testing officer will need to see proof of insurance on the car you drive for the exam.

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