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Joshua’s Law is the Georgia rule that 16 and 17-year-olds must finish a DDS-approved driver education course before getting a Class D license. The course is 30 hours of classroom or online instruction, plus either 6 hours with a certified instructor or the Parent/Teen Driving Guide. Teens also need 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 at night. Below are the four ways to meet it and what to bring to DDS.
What is Joshua’s Law in Georgia?
Joshua’s Law is Senate Bill 226, passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2005 and in effect since January 1, 2007. DDS lists its main points:
- Approved driver education is required for a Class D provisional license at 16 and 17.
- Approved driver education is required for a Class M motorcycle instructional permit (MP) at 16.
- You must be 17 to get a Class M motorcycle license.
DDS says 17-year-olds applying on or after July 1, 2021 must meet the same requirements as 16-year-olds. An older DDS FAQ still says teens without driver ed can be licensed at 17. Follow the current Joshua’s Law Requirements page, which says driver ed is required.
The four ways to meet Joshua’s Law
| Method | Instruction (30 hours) | Behind the wheel | Supervised driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classroom at a certified school | 6 hours with a certified school | 40 hours with parent or guardian, 6 at night |
| 2 | Classroom at a certified school | Parent/Teen Driving Guide | Included in the guide’s 40 hours |
| 3 | Online, certified virtual program | 6 hours with a certified school | 40 hours with parent or guardian, 6 at night |
| 4 | Online, certified virtual program | Parent/Teen Driving Guide | Included in the guide’s 40 hours |
With methods 2 and 4, the Parent/Teen Driving Guide covers both the behind-the-wheel part and the 40 supervised hours. With methods 1 and 3, the 6 instructor hours come on top of the 40. More on the guide: Georgia 40-hour supervised driving and the Parent/Teen Driving Guide.
How to choose a method
- Cost: DDS says certified course prices generally start at around $250, and online virtual programs cost less. Prices are set by schools.
- Insurance: DDS says only a completion certificate from a state-licensed school for 30 classroom hours plus 6 behind-the-wheel hours qualifies for an insurance premium reduction. Ask your insurer before you choose. See car insurance for new drivers.
- Road test at school: some DDS-certified full-service schools can give the road test to their own driver ed students (taking your road test at a driving school).
- Time: the guide route puts all the driving on the family, so plan the hours early in your permit year.
Picking a course that counts
- Only DDS-certified schools and DDS-approved online programs count. DDS will not accept classes from uncertified schools.
- Online providers may sell courses approved for other states. Make sure yours meets Georgia’s Joshua’s Law requirements.
- Check the school’s certification in DDS’s school list before you pay.
- If you lose your online course login, contact the course provider. DDS does not have it.
What you show at the road test
- A certificate of completion for the driver education course from a DDS-certified school.
- A parent, guardian or authorized DDS-certified instructor, who swears or affirms that you completed 40 hours of supervised driving with 6 at night. No driving log is required.
- If your behind-the-wheel hours came from a certified instructor, the manual says a separate document confirming this must be completed at the road test.
- Your ADAP certificate, which is a separate requirement (ADAP and eADAP).
Special cases
Military families
DDS accepts an out-of-state driver training certificate from military dependents who move to Georgia within 9 months of their 16th birthday, with the parent’s military orders. A 17-year-old who is enlisted can apply for a Class C without the 1 year and 1 day permit hold, using form DS-517.
Moved to Georgia after driver ed elsewhere
For other teens, DDS says a Georgia course from a certified school is needed for a Class D. If you took a course out of state, contact DDS. See Moving to Georgia.
Turning 18
Joshua’s Law covers 16 and 17-year-olds. At 18 you can apply for a Class C without driver ed, but you still sign a 40-hour affidavit.
Common questions
Can I skip driver’s ed in Georgia if I wait until 17?
No, not since July 1, 2021. Seventeen-year-olds must meet the same requirements as 16-year-olds.
Can the whole course be online?
The 30-hour instruction can be online. The behind-the-wheel part is done with a certified instructor or through the Parent/Teen Driving Guide.
Who does the 6 hours of night driving?
DDS’s Joshua’s Law FAQ says a parent or legal guardian.
Do I need a driving log?
No. A parent or guardian attests to the hours when you apply.
Is ADAP part of driver’s ed?
No, but some 30-hour courses include ADAP. Check with your provider.
How does Georgia compare with other states?
See supervised driving hours by state.
Back to the main guide: Learning to drive in Georgia.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Joshua’s Law Requirements” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Joshua’s Law Explained FAQs” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “What Courses Can I Take to Satisfy Joshua’s Law?” course chart (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Driver Education FAQs” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Section 2: Obtaining a License, Permit or Identification Card” and “Section 6: Teen Driving Laws”, 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, “Third Party Testing” (dds.georgia.gov)