Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Georgia teens drive on a Class CP instructional permit from 15, then a Class D provisional license from 16 until they upgrade to a Class C at 18. The Class D comes with a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew and passenger limits that loosen at 6 and 12 months. Here are the exact rules for each stage, for teens and parents.
Class CP vs Class D vs Class C at a glance
| Rule | Class CP permit | Class D provisional | Class C (18+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Supervision | Licensed Class C driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside you | None needed | None |
| Night driving | Allowed with supervisor | Not between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. | No curfew |
| Passengers | Supervisor required | Limited (see below) | No GDL limit |
| Term and fee (as of November 2026) | 2 years, $10 | 5 years, $10 | 8 years, $32 |
Class CP permit rules
- You may drive any Class C vehicle only with a person who is at least 21, licensed to drive a Class C vehicle, fit and capable of taking control, and sitting in the seat beside you.
- The permit is valid for up to 2 years.
- The adult who signed your application can ask DDS to revoke your permit at any time before you turn 18.
Getting the permit: Georgia instructional permit at 15.
Who can get a Class D license?
You must be at least 16 and meet all of these:
- Held a valid Class CP for at least 1 year and 1 day. Time on an out-of-state permit counts if you transfer it to Georgia.
- No major traffic violations that led to suspension of your permit.
- Completed Joshua’s Law driver education and 40 supervised hours, 6 at night (Joshua’s Law explained).
- Completed ADAP or eADAP (ADAP guide).
- Proof of school enrollment and a responsible adult to sign.
- Passed the road test (Georgia road test).
Military exception: a 17-year-old enlisted in the military, with form DS-517, is exempt from the 1 year and 1 day hold and is issued a Class C license.
What time is the Georgia Class D curfew?
A Class D holder may not drive between 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 5:00 a.m. DDS states there are no exceptions.
Who can ride with a Class D driver in Georgia?
| Time since Class D issued | Passengers allowed |
|---|---|
| First 6 months | Immediate family members only |
| Months 7 to 12 | Family, plus no more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family |
| After 12 months | Family, plus no more than three passengers under 21 who are not immediate family |
“Immediate family” means your parents and stepparents, grandparents, siblings and step-siblings, children, and anyone else who lives at your home. In the first 6 months the rule is family only, whatever the passenger’s age. From month 7, the limits apply to non-family passengers under 21.
Scenario: six weeks after passing
Maya, 16, got her Class D in September. In October she wants to drive her cousin, who lives across town, to practice. That is not allowed, because a cousin who does not live with her is not immediate family. Driving her younger brother is fine.
Other rules that hit teen drivers hard
- Suspension for 6 months (12 for a second conviction) if you are under 21 and convicted of hit and run, racing, fleeing police, reckless driving, aggressive driving or any 4-point offense, such as passing a stopped school bus or speeding 24 mph or more over the limit.
- Under 18: 4 or more points in any 12 months means suspension.
- Under 21: a blood alcohol level of 0.02 or more counts as under the influence. A first DUI suspension is at least 6 months, or 12 months at 0.08 or above or for refusing testing.
- All drivers: no holding or supporting a phone (Hands-Free Georgia Act for teens).
Speeding risks: Super Speeder law and points for new drivers.
Moving up to a Class C at 18
You can apply for a Class C when you turn 18. You must have held the Class D until 18, or for 1 year and 1 day, with no major traffic convictions in the 12 months before you apply. Those include DUI, fleeing police, racing, reckless driving, hit and run, or any violation worth 4 or more points. Surrender the Class D and pay $32 for an 8-year license. U.S. citizens need no other documents or tests, and DDS lets you do the upgrade through Online Services. The new license is still marked as under 21.
Common questions
Can I drive at midnight if a parent is with me on a Class D?
DDS says the 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew has no exceptions.
Can I drive my friends in my first 6 months?
No. Only immediate family may ride with you for the first 6 months.
Does a stepbrother count as family?
Yes. Step-siblings count, and so does anyone who lives at your residence.
Does my Class D turn into a Class C automatically?
No. You apply for the upgrade at 18, in person or online.
Can my parent take my license away?
Yes. The adult who signed can request revocation before you turn 18, using DDS’s notarized form and a $10 fee.
How do Georgia’s limits compare with other states?
See US graduated licensing compared.
Back to the main guide: Learning to drive in Georgia.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Section 2: Obtaining a License, Permit or Identification Card” and “Class C License”, Georgia Driver’s Manual (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Section 6: Teen Driving Laws” and “Section 6 Continued”, Georgia Driver’s Manual (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Get a Class D Provisional License” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Fees and Terms” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Chapter 1: TADRA”, ADAP Student Manual, revised July 2025 (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Section 10: Losing Your Driving Privileges”, Georgia Driver’s Manual (dds.georgia.gov)