How to Get a Georgia Learner's Permit (Class CP) at 15: 2026 Steps
How do you get a learner's permit in Georgia?
You can apply at 15. First submit the online License/ID/Permit Form. Then go to a Customer Service Center with proof of identity, 2 proofs of Georgia residency and, if you are under 18, proof of school enrollment and an adult to sign. Pass the vision exam and the Knowledge Exam, have your photo taken and pay $10. The Class CP permit is valid for 2 years.
Where the Georgia permit facts come from
The steps, documents and $10 fee come from the DDS learner's permit page. The rules for the signer, the supervisor and the next license come from the DDS Drivers Manual, and the 2-year term comes from the DDS fees and terms page. Exam scores, retest rules and Joshua's Law hours come from the DDS Test and Exams, Teen Drivers and Joshua's Law pages and the DDS License Requirements Overview. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (dds.georgia.gov) before you drive.
Georgia learner's permit steps, in order
- 1Check your age
You can apply at 15 or at any age after 15.
- 2Submit the online form
Fill in the License/ID/Permit Form on the DDS website before you go. It is required for a visit to a Customer Service Center, and you must enter your full Social Security Number on it. Your information stays on file for 60 days. After that, submit it again.
- 3Gather your documents
Bring the documents listed in the table below. Each document must show your first and last name and must be in English. DDS does not accept translated documents.
- 4Visit a Customer Service Center
Show your documents and pass the vision exam. Surrender any out-of-state license, permit or ID card you hold. If you are under 18, bring the adult who will sign the form.
- 5Pass the Knowledge Exam
Take the Road Rules Test and the Road Signs Test at the center. You need 15 of 20 correct on each test.
- 6Have your photo taken and pay
The permit fee is $10. Centers take cash and credit or debit cards.
Documents to bring for a Georgia learner's permit
| Proof | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Identity, U.S. citizen | 1 document, for example an unexpired U.S. passport or passport card |
| Identity and status, non-citizen | 1 identity document and 1 proof of lawful status, if required |
| Georgia residency | 2 documents from separate sources or accounts. Each shows your name and current residential address. A P.O. box does not prove residency. |
| School enrollment, under 18 | Proof that you are enrolled, such as a notarized Certificate of School Enrollment (DDS-1) or, for home schooling, a Declaration of Intent filed with the Georgia Department of Education |
What to know if you are under 18
Bring a parent, legal guardian, responsible adult or authorized driver training instructor. That person signs your License/ID/Permit Form. A responsible adult must also bring paperwork that shows the relationship to you. The signer can ask DDS to revoke your permit at any time before your 18th birthday. DDS pages differ on the signer's minimum age: the DDS Drivers Manual says 18, and the DDS License Requirements Overview says 21 or older with a valid driver's license. To be safe, bring a signer who is 21 or older and has a valid driver's license, and confirm with DDS.
What you must pass at the Customer Service Center
| Exam | What you need |
|---|---|
| Vision exam | 20/60 vision in one eye, with or without corrective lenses, and a 140-degree field of vision |
| Road Rules Test | 15 of 20 correct |
| Road Signs Test | 15 of 20 correct |
What happens if you fail the Knowledge Exam
After a first failure, wait 1 day to retest. After a second failure, wait 7 days. Your first Knowledge Exam needs no appointment, but every retest needs an appointment. Pay the $10 permit fee again before every attempt, in cash or by credit or debit card. DDS gives no refund if you fail any part. The guide to the Georgia permit test covers the exam topics and how to study.
Who can ride with you while you drive
How long the permit lasts and what comes next
The Class CP permit is valid for 2 years. At 16, after you hold the permit for 1 year and 1 day, you can apply for a Class D provisional license. You must pass a road test and show proof that you completed the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP). For a Class D license at 16 or 17, Joshua's Law also asks for 30 hours of driver education, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training or 40 hours of parent-taught training, and 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of them at night. A permit holder can apply for a Class C license only at 18.
Checklist for your Customer Service Center visit
- Submit the online form no more than 60 days before your visit.
- Black out the account numbers on bank statements and utility bills that you use as proof of residency.
- If you are under 18, bring your signer and your proof of school enrollment.
- Arrive early. For the Knowledge Exam, you must be on the test computer at least 30 minutes before the center closes.
- Test yourself on the minimum permit age and the rules for your supervisor with our free practice questions.
Key takeaways
- You can get a Georgia learner's permit (Class CP) at 15 for a $10 fee, and it is valid for 2 years.
- Submit the online form first. Then bring identity, 2 residency documents and, under 18, proof of school enrollment.
- Pass the vision exam and the Road Rules and Road Signs tests (15 of 20 on each).
- If you are under 18, bring a parent, guardian, responsible adult or instructor to sign. When you drive, a person 21 or older who is licensed to drive a Class C vehicle must sit beside you.
- Next step: practice on the free Georgia Class C practice test.
Georgia learner's permit: common questions
Can my parent sign for my permit and take it back later?
Yes. The person who signs your form can ask DDS to revoke your permit for any reason at any time before you turn 18. The request goes on a DDS form with the signer's notarized signature. The signer also pays a $10 fee, and DDS does not refund it.
Do I need to take driver's ed before I get my permit?
No. Under Joshua's Law, driver education is a requirement for a Class D license at 16 or 17. You need a learner's permit for the behind-the-wheel part of that training. For the permit itself, you need your documents, the vision exam, the Knowledge Exam and the $10 fee.
Can I get a learner's permit if I am 18 or older?
Yes. If you are 18 or older and have no driver's license, the DDS Drivers Manual gives two choices. You can apply for a Class C license at once: pass the knowledge and road tests and sign that you have 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of them at night. Or you can get a Class C permit first and practice with a licensed driver beside you. DDS pages differ on this point: the DDS road test page for drivers 18 and over lists a valid Georgia learner's permit among its requirements. The safer plan is to get a Class CP permit before you book the road test. If you plan to skip the permit, ask your DDS Customer Service Center first.
I have a learner's permit from another state. Can I switch it to Georgia?
If you are under 18 and hold a valid permit from another state, you can normally get a comparable Georgia license. You must surrender the out-of-state permit at the Customer Service Center. Your home state can have different teen rules, so call the DDS Customer Contact Center at (678) 413-8400 before you visit.
Can my 18-year-old brother or sister supervise my driving?
No. Your supervisor must be at least 21 and licensed to drive a Class C vehicle. That person must also be fit and capable of taking control of the vehicle and must sit in the seat beside you. A brother or sister who is 21 or older and meets these rules can supervise you.
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