How to pass the test to get your Learner’s Permit in Georgia
The day is finally here! You are finally old enough to test for a Learner’s Permit in Georgia. So, how do you successfully pass the written test? What do you need to study beforehand? Is there any way to truly ensure success?
Many teens often feel nervous about passing the Learner’s Permit. This is completely natural, so you are not alone. It’s quite common to feel overwhelmed and nervous before a big change – getting a drivers license is a big deal! However, getting a license is a little easier if you know where to go and what to do.
The first step is to study the official Georgia Driver’s Manual, which can be found at any Georgia DDS office. You can also study and read the manual online by clicking here. Regard this manual as your go-to guide for everything from A-Z that you need to know to pass the Learner’s Permit test. Once you have your Driver’s Manual, read the entire book and study the information like you would for a school test. Highlight important points and then re-read them a second time. The info from the Manual will turn into questions on your test, so you want to be as familiar with it as possible.
Once you’ve read and studied the Georgia Driver’s Manual, it’s time to take a few practice tests online. This will help you prepare and will allow you to see if you fully understand the information in your manual. Currently, three practice tests are available online, so try to take all three. Click here to take a practice test. The general knowledge exams include questions on road signs and a Road Rules Test.
After successfully passing a few practice tests, it’s time to head to the DDS, right? Well, not exactly. You and your parents must first gather six important documents to take with you. These documents include 1 proof of identity (passport, birth certificate), 1 proof of social security number (W-2, social security card), 2 proofs of residence (utility bill, financial statement, etc.), 1 proof of US citizenship, and a Georgia Certificate of Attendance form notarized by your high school. You must request this form from your school office and they often request 3-5 days to get it for you. The Certificate of Attendance is valid for 30 days or from May-August in the summer. Head to the Georgia DDS website for more information about required documents.
Alrighty then. You have prepared for the exam, taken the practice tests and gathered your required documents. So, what’s next? Yep, it’s now time to head to a DDS office to take your Learner’s Permit Test. The DDS offices administer written tests Tuesday through Saturday. Wednesday and Thursday are typically less busy than Tuesday, Friday or Saturday. Click here to find a location close to your home.
That’s it. 1) Get the Georgia Driver’s Manual, 2) Study the book or the online version, 3) Gather your documents ahead of time, 4) Take your written test at a DDS office. Once you pass the exam (and an eye exam), your picture will be taken and you will pay the $10 fee. You’ll be given a paper copy of your Learner’s Permit. The hard copy arrives in the mail usually within 2-4 weeks.
Woo hoo! You have your Georgia Learner’s Permit, so you’re ready to hit the road, right? Nope, not so fast, speedy. With a Learner’s Permit, you have permission to drive ONLY with a passenger who is at least 21 years old and has an unexpired Class C driver’s license. In order to get your actual driver’s license at 16 or 17 years of age, Georgia Law requires that you take an approved Driver’s Ed course, like the one offered at Drive Smart Georgia, a AAA-certified driving school. You also must have 40 hours of driving experience (6 at night), plus pass the road test, which can be taken no sooner than one year and one day after getting your Learner’s permit.
This might all sound very confusing, but Joshua’s Law was passed in Georgia to help keep new drivers safe. Auto accidents remains the #1 cause of death among teens, so it’s critical to follow the requirements to the tee, not just because it’s the law, but because they could quite possibly save your life.
Good luck on the first step to a long and winding road of driver safety! Be alert. Be aware. Be smart behind the wheel.
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