Joshua's Law requires Georgia teenagers ages 16 and 17 to complete an approved 30-hour driver education course and the required behind-the-wheel training before receiving a Class D provisional driver license. Teens must also complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including six hours at night, or satisfy these requirements through Georgia's approved Parent/Teen Driving Guide. In addition, applicants must hold a Class CP learner's permit for at least one year and one day, complete the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP), meet school enrollment requirements, and pass the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) road skills test.

These requirements apply to both 16-year-old and 17-year-old applicants. Completing the classroom portion alone does not satisfy Joshua's Law. You must also complete the required practical training and meet Georgia's licensing conditions.

Understanding Joshua's Law in Georgia

Joshua's Law establishes driver education and practical training requirements for teenagers seeking a Georgia Class D license.

The law works alongside Georgia's Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA), which establishes the state's graduated driver licensing system.

Georgia's licensing process includes three stages. Teenagers begin with a Class CP learner's permit, progress to a Class D provisional license, and eventually qualify for a Class C license.

Each stage has different eligibility requirements and driving restrictions.

Joshua's Law specifically addresses the education and training needed before a teenager receives a Class D license.

The Georgia DDS requires qualifying applicants to complete both theoretical instruction and practical driving experience.

The theoretical component consists of at least 30 hours of classroom or approved online instruction. The practical component involves either professional behind-the-wheel lessons or completion of the state's approved Parent/Teen Driving Guide.

These requirements help teenagers develop knowledge of Georgia traffic laws before receiving independent driving privileges.

Complete an Approved 30-Hour Driver Education Course

The first major requirement under Joshua's Law is completing a Georgia DDS-approved driver education course.

The course must provide at least 30 hours of instruction.

Students may complete this requirement through traditional classroom instruction or an approved online program.

A Georgia drivers ed online course provides the same required instructional component without attending scheduled classroom sessions.

The curriculum covers important subjects, including:

  • Georgia traffic laws and road signs.
  • Right-of-way rules and intersection safety.
  • Speed limits and safe following distances.
  • Defensive driving and hazard recognition.
  • Distracted driving and mobile phone restrictions.
  • Alcohol, drugs, and impaired driving.
  • Pedestrian and bicycle safety.
  • Driver responsibilities and collision prevention.

The course prepares students to recognize common driving risks and understand the rules they must follow on Georgia roads.

Choosing a Georgia-Approved Online Driving Course

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider offers instruction approved by the Georgia DDS for Joshua's Law.

DriverEdToGo offers a 30-hour Teen Driver Education Course for Georgia students preparing to meet the classroom portion of the state's requirements. Confirm the course's current DDS approval status and certificate procedures before registering.

An approved online course satisfies the theoretical instruction requirement. You must still complete the applicable practical driving component.

After successfully finishing the program, obtain your Georgia driver education certificate or the completion record required by DDS.

Keep this documentation available for your Class D license application.

Complete the Required Behind-the-Wheel Training

Joshua's Law requires practical driving experience in addition to classroom education.

Georgia provides four approved combinations of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training.

Option 1: Classroom Education and Professional Driving Lessons

You complete 30 hours of classroom instruction at a DDS-approved school.

You must then complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified driving instructor.

You also need 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian, including six hours at night.

Option 2: Classroom Education and Parent-Taught Training

You complete 30 hours of approved classroom instruction.

Instead of taking six hours of professional driving lessons, you complete the Georgia DDS Parent/Teen Driving Guide.

This guide includes the required 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including nighttime experience.

Option 3: Online Education and Professional Driving Lessons

You complete 30 hours of approved online driver education.

You then complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor.

You must also complete 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian, including six nighttime hours.

Option 4: Online Education and Parent-Taught Training

You complete 30 hours of instruction through a Georgia DDS-approved online program.

You then complete the DDS Parent/Teen Driving Guide with your parent or guardian.

The guide includes the required supervised driving experience, so a separate additional 40-hour requirement does not apply.

All four options satisfy Joshua's Law when completed according to DDS requirements.

Georgia's 40-Hour Supervised Driving Requirement

Georgia requires teenagers to gain at least 40 hours of supervised driving experience before obtaining a Class D license.

At least six of those hours must occur at night.

This requirement applies whether you complete professional driving lessons or use the approved parent-taught training method.

Your supervised practice should include different driving situations, such as residential roads, intersections, highway travel, parking, and changing traffic conditions.

Nighttime practice should help you become familiar with reduced visibility and the adjustments needed when driving after dark.

Georgia does not require you to submit a separate driving log for the supervised driving requirement.

Instead, a parent or guardian must attest that you completed the required hours.

The Georgia DDS uses a Driving Experience Affidavit to document this certification.

Parents should maintain accurate records of completed driving sessions so they can verify the required experience.

Georgia Learner's Permit Requirements

Before progressing to a Class D license, you must obtain a Class CP learner's permit.

Georgia allows teenagers to apply for this permit beginning at age 15.

To qualify, you must satisfy the applicable Georgia permit requirements, including:

  • Being at least 15 years old.
  • Passing the DDS knowledge examinations covering road signs and road rules.
  • Passing the required vision examination.
  • Providing acceptable identity and residency documents.
  • Meeting school enrollment requirements.
  • Obtaining the required parental or responsible adult consent.
  • Paying the applicable permit fee.

A Class CP permit allows you to practice driving with a qualified supervising driver.

The supervising driver generally must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid driver license, and sit in the front passenger seat.

You cannot drive alone with a learner's permit.

How Long Must You Hold Your Georgia Learner's Permit?

Georgia requires most Class D applicants to hold a valid learner's permit for at least one year and one day.

For example, if you receive your permit on your fifteenth birthday, you cannot qualify for a Class D license until at least your sixteenth birthday and one additional day have passed.

You must also complete Joshua's Law, ADAP, and the remaining licensing requirements.

Reaching age 16 does not automatically qualify you for a provisional license.

Complete Georgia's Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program

Georgia requires Class D applicants younger than 18 to complete the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program.

ADAP is separate from the 30-hour driver education requirement.

The program focuses on alcohol, drugs, impaired driving, and the consequences of unsafe decisions.

Many Georgia students complete ADAP through their high schools.

Students who cannot attend the traditional school-based program may qualify for eADAP, the online version offered through the Georgia DDS.

Some approved driver education programs incorporate ADAP into their curriculum, but you should confirm whether your chosen course includes the required instruction.

Before scheduling your Class D road test, make sure you have proof of ADAP completion.

A driver education certificate alone does not automatically replace your ADAP completion record.

Documents Needed for a Georgia Class D License

After completing the required education and supervised driving, you must prepare your application documents.

Georgia DDS generally requires:

  • Your valid Class CP learner's permit.
  • Proof of completing an approved 30-hour driver education course.
  • Documentation of required behind-the-wheel training.
  • Your ADAP or eADAP completion certificate.
  • Proof of school enrollment or an acceptable alternative.
  • The required parental or responsible adult consent.
  • Certification of at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including six hours at night.
  • Required identity and residency documentation if not already established.
  • Payment of the applicable license fee.

Georgia generally requires applicants younger than 18 to provide a Certificate of School Enrollment signed and notarized within the previous 30 days, unless they present an accepted alternative such as a high school diploma or GED.

A parent, legal guardian, or qualifying responsible adult must accompany the teenager and complete the necessary application requirements.

Before your appointment, review the DDS document checklist to confirm which documents apply to your circumstances.

Pass the Georgia DDS Road Skills Test

Completing Joshua's Law does not automatically result in a Class D license.

You must also pass the DDS road skills examination.

The test evaluates your ability to operate a vehicle safely, follow traffic laws, control your vehicle, and respond appropriately to driving situations.

You must schedule a road test appointment and provide an eligible vehicle.

The vehicle must meet Georgia's insurance, registration, and safety requirements.

Before your appointment, practice basic vehicle control, parking, lane changes, turns, intersections, and proper observation techniques.

Your permit must have been held for the required period, and you must satisfy the other Class D eligibility conditions.

Common Mistakes Georgia Teen Drivers Should Avoid

One common misunderstanding is believing that 30 hours of online driver education satisfies every requirement under Joshua's Law.

The course completes the instructional portion. You must also complete the approved behind-the-wheel training and supervised driving requirements.

Another mistake is assuming that 17-year-olds no longer need driver education.

Georgia requires both 16-year-old and 17-year-old Class D applicants to meet Joshua's Law requirements.

Parents also sometimes overlook the six-hour nighttime driving requirement. These hours are included within the required 40 hours of supervised driving.

Students should also avoid confusing ADAP with driver education. These programs serve different purposes, and both generally apply to Class D applicants.

Finally, scheduling a road test before holding the learner's permit for one year and one day can delay the licensing process.

Important Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Georgia provides a limited exception for certain 17-year-olds who have enlisted in the military.

Qualifying applicants may apply for a Class C license without completing the standard one-year-and-one-day permit holding period.

They must provide the required military enrollment verification and satisfy the applicable testing requirements.

Teenagers transferring from another state may also receive credit for time spent holding a qualifying out-of-state learner's permit. The permit must be transferred to Georgia, and the total holding period must meet the state's requirements.

Applicants with unusual licensing circumstances should confirm their eligibility directly with Georgia DDS.

Restrictions After Receiving a Georgia Class D License

A Class D license allows independent driving, but Georgia imposes restrictions.

You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. There are no exceptions to this nighttime restriction.

Passenger restrictions also apply.

During the first six months, only immediate family members may ride with you.

During the second six months, you may carry no more than one passenger younger than 21 who is not an immediate family member.

After the first year, the limit increases to three passengers younger than 21 who are not immediate family members.

These restrictions apply while you hold a Class D provisional license.

Preparing for Your Georgia Class D License

Joshua's Law requires more than completing a 30-hour driver education course.

Georgia teenagers ages 16 and 17 must also complete approved behind-the-wheel training, satisfy the 40-hour supervised driving requirement, and finish ADAP.

They must hold a qualifying learner's permit for at least one year and one day and pass the DDS road skills examination.

Start by selecting a Georgia DDS-approved driver education course. Then choose the professional or parent-taught driving method that fits your circumstances.

Complete your supervised driving hours, prepare the required certificates, and confirm your eligibility before scheduling the road test.

Following these requirements prepares you to obtain your Georgia Class D license while meeting the state's teen driver education and licensing rules.

 

Get Started on Your Georgia Teen Driver Education

Preparing for your Georgia Class D license? DriverEdToGo offers a 30-hour Teen Driver Education Course for students working toward meeting Joshua’s Law requirements.

Before enrolling, verify the course’s current Georgia DDS approval and confirm that it meets the classroom instruction requirement for your licensing path. Remember that you must also complete the applicable behind-the-wheel training, supervised driving hours, and other state requirements.

Explore Georgia teen driver education at DriverEdToGo.com and take the next step toward your Class D license.