Drivers From Other Nations
Georgia recognizes valid driver licenses issued to and held by residents of other countries as long as the "Out Of Country" license is valid. You do not need to apply unless you become a resident of Georgia. If you choose to become a resident the following policies must be met in each tier:
Tier 1
Every applicant for an initial drivers license must provide acceptable proof of identification. Board Rule 570-3-02, specifies one of the following items are acceptable but must be Original or a Certified Copy:
- Original birth certificate State issued) State Vital Statistics (Hospital birth certificates are not acceptable).
- Certified copy of birth certificate (Issued by Vital Statistics with affixed seal)
- Certificate of birth registration
- Certified copy of court records (adoption, name changes or sex changes.)
- Certified naturalization records
- Immigration I.D. card Immigration and Naturalization
- Valid Passport
Tier 2
Every applicant for an initial license must prove either he/she is a U.S. citizen or legally authorized by INS to be present in the U.S. If the identification document presented indicates that the individual is a U.S. Citizen (by birth or naturalization) then Tier 2 has been satisfied.
If the identification document presented indicates that the individual is a Non-U.S. citizen then a valid document from INS must be presented. DMVS Examiners currently accept any INS document that indicates the individual is currently authorized to be present in the United States.
Tier 3
After meeting the requirements of Tier 1 and 2 the individual must present proof of a valid residence address. Board Rule 5-10-3-.02 specifies one of the following must be presented as proof of residence address:
- Utility bill with valid Georgia residence address
- Bank statement with valid Georgia residence address
- Rental contracts and or receipts
- Employee Verification
- Georgia license issued to parent, guardian or spouse.
Social Security Number Requirements:
Beginning January 1, 2003, no person may be issued a Georgia driver’s license or identification card without providing a social security number at the time of issuance. It is not necessary to have your original social security card. However, penalties will occur if an incorrect social security number is provided.
For those in the country legally but without a social security number, you need to obtain a Form SSAL676 from a local Social Security Administration office before visiting a DMVS customer service center to apply for a driver’s license. The SSA will begin issuing these forms on June 16th. After obtaining the form, the individual may bring it to any Customer Service Center on or after July 1st and begin the driver’s license application process. The individual must have the necessary documentation including a valid passport or valid I-94 permit, proof of Georgia residency and must surrender a foreign driver's license (if applicable).
The Testing Process
(Parts 1, 2, & 3 are included in all classes)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Part 4 - The Driving Test (Class M)
You must furnish a motorcycle for the test and pass a safety inspection of the motorcycle by the license examiner before the driving test is given.
Motorcycle operator's testing information is covered in the Motorcycle Operator's Manual. For more information, please see our Motorcycle Safety Program.
Part 5 - (Class A & B Non-Commercial)
There is no driving test for Classes A & B Non-Commercial; however, the applicant must present an affidavit of skill (DS-36), establishing their ability to operate the vehicles within the particular class, and pass a knowledge test for that particular class.
License Fees
| License Type |
Fee |
| Class A, B, C and M: |
$15.00 |
| Honorary Veterans and National Guard: |
No Fee |
| Inmate Certificate: |
No Fee |
| Limited Permit: |
$25.00 |
| Class C - Instructional Permit: |
$10.00 |
| Class A, B, & M Instructional Permit: |
$10.00 |
| Class A, B, C, or M (Organ Donor*): |
$8.00 |
| Class D Provisional License: |
$10.00 |
| Duplicate License: |
$5.00 |
| CDL or CDL Instructonal Permit: |
$35.00 |
| CDL Initial Issuance not requiring road test: |
$15.00 Includes All Endorsement Fees |
| CDL Initial Issuance requiring road test: |
$65.00 |
| CDL Renewal: |
$15.00 plus $5.00 Per Endorsement Added |
| Controlled Substance Permit: |
$25.00 |
| Habitual Violator Probationary License: |
$210.00 |
* Donor must execute a Uniform Donor Card at the time of issuance to receive the fee reduction.
More Organ Donor Information
