Joshua’s Law FAQs: Answers to Parents’ Most Common Questions
If you’re the parent of a Georgia teen who is getting ready to drive, you’ve probably heard about Joshua’s Law. You may also have questions about exactly what it requires, when your teen should start Driver’s Ed, how many driving hours are needed, and what happens before your teen can get a license.
You’re not alone. Georgia’s teen licensing requirements can seem complicated at first, especially when you’re trying to understand how Driver’s Ed, supervised driving, a learner’s permit, and the road test all fit together.
This guide answers some of the most common Joshua’s Law FAQs to help Georgia parents understand the process and prepare their teens for the road ahead.
15 Joshua’s Law FAQs
1. What Is Joshua’s Law in Georgia?
1. What Is Joshua’s Law in Georgia?Joshua’s Law is a Georgia teen driver safety law that establishes driver education requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds seeking a Class D provisional driver’s license.
The law was created to help young drivers gain more education and driving experience before they begin driving independently.
For 16- and 17-year-olds, Georgia requires completion of an approved driver education program before obtaining a Class D license.
Joshua’s Law works alongside Georgia’s graduated driver licensing system, which introduces driving privileges gradually as teens gain experience.
2. Who Has to Complete Joshua’s Law Requirements?
Georgia teens who want to obtain a Class D provisional driver’s license at age 16 or 17 must meet Joshua’s Law driver education requirements.
A teen can obtain a Georgia Class C instructional permit, commonly called a learner’s permit, beginning at age 15 after meeting the state’s eligibility and testing requirements.
The permit is the first major step toward independent driving.
3. What Are the Joshua’s Law Requirements?
Georgia DDS provides several approved ways to satisfy the driver education portion of Joshua’s Law.
Depending on the method selected, teens may complete:
- 30 hours of classroom instruction at a DDS-certified driving school
- 30 hours through an approved online driver education program
- Six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified driving school
- Parent-taught behind-the-wheel training using the DDS-approved Parent/Teen Driving Guide
In addition, teens seeking a Class D license must complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving experience, including at least six hours at night.
Because there are different approved combinations, parents should make sure the Driver’s Ed program they choose satisfies Georgia DDS requirements.
4. Does Joshua’s Law Require 30 Hours of Driver’s Ed?
Yes. Teens seeking a Class D license at age 16 or 17 must complete an approved driver education course that includes 30 hours of classroom or approved online instruction.
The classroom portion teaches important topics such as:
- Georgia traffic laws
- Traffic signs and signals
- Defensive driving
- Sharing the road
- Managing distractions
- Safe following distances
- Hazard recognition
- Driving in different conditions
- Alcohol and drug awareness
- Responsible decision-making
At Drive Smart Georgia, students can choose from instructor-led Driver’s Ed options or an approved self-paced online option, depending on the program selected.
5. Does My Teen Have to Take Six Hours of Professional Driving Lessons?
Not necessarily.
Georgia provides multiple approved methods for meeting the behind-the-wheel portion of Joshua’s Law. One option is completing six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified driving school. Another allows qualifying parent-taught instruction using the DDS-approved Parent/Teen Driving Guide.
However, many families choose professional driving lessons because teens receive structured instruction and objective feedback from a trained instructor.
A professional instructor can identify habits that may be difficult for a parent to notice and help a teen strengthen skills such as:
- Lane positioning
- Speed control
- Following distance
- Parking
- Turning
- Intersections
- Scanning for hazards
- Defensive driving
- Making safe decisions independently
Professional instruction can also help parents understand which skills their teen should continue practicing at home.
6. Does My Teen Still Need 40 Hours of Practice if They Take Driving Lessons?
Yes.
The 40 hours of supervised driving experience are separate from professional driving lessons when your teen follows the traditional 30-hour classroom plus six-hour professional behind-the-wheel method.
Georgia requires at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including six hours at night, before a teen can obtain a Class D license.
These hours give teens an opportunity to apply what they have learned while gaining experience in different situations.
Parents should gradually expose new drivers to conditions such as:
- Neighborhood streets
- Multi-lane roads
- Intersections
- Moderate traffic
- Parking lots
- Rain
- Night driving
- Higher-speed roads
The goal should be more than simply accumulating hours. Each practice drive should help your teen become more observant, predictable, and independent behind the wheel.
7. How Long Does My Teen Have to Hold a Georgia Learner’s Permit?
Before obtaining a Class D license, a Georgia teen must generally hold a valid instructional permit for at least one year and one day.
That means a teen who receives a permit on their 15th birthday cannot immediately receive a license on their 16th birthday. The one-year-and-one-day requirement must first be satisfied.
This waiting period gives new drivers time to complete Driver’s Ed and gain supervised driving experience before testing for a license.
8. Does My Teen Need Night Driving Practice?
Yes.
Of the required 40 hours of supervised driving, at least six hours must be completed at night.
Night driving is an important skill because reduced visibility can make it harder for inexperienced drivers to recognize hazards, judge distances, and react to changing road conditions.
Start night practice on familiar roads and gradually introduce your teen to more challenging situations as their confidence and ability improve.
9. What Is ADAP, and Is It Part of Getting a Georgia License?
ADAP stands for Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program.
Georgia teens under age 18 must complete ADAP or eADAP as part of the requirements for obtaining a Class D driver’s license.
Many teens complete ADAP through their high school. Teens who do not complete it at school can complete the state’s electronic version, known as eADAP.
Parents should verify that this requirement has been completed well before their teen plans to apply for a license.
10. Does My Teen Have to Take a Road Test?
Yes. Meeting Joshua’s Law requirements does not automatically give a teen a driver’s license.
Your teen must also satisfy Georgia’s licensing requirements and successfully complete the required road skills test before receiving a Class D license.
The road test evaluates whether the applicant can safely control the vehicle and demonstrate essential driving skills.
Completing the required hours is important, but readiness matters too. If your teen still needs frequent reminders about speed, mirrors, lane position, right-of-way, or traffic signals, additional practice before the test may be worthwhile.
11. What Happens After My Teen Gets a Class D License?
A Class D license gives your teen greater independence, but it still comes with important restrictions.
Georgia currently prohibits Class D drivers from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m., with no exceptions.
Passenger restrictions also apply:
- First six months: Only immediate family members may ride with the teen driver.
- Second six months: One passenger under age 21 who is not an immediate family member is permitted.
- After one year: Up to three passengers under age 21 who are not immediate family members may ride with the driver.
These restrictions are designed to reduce some of the highest-risk situations for inexperienced drivers.
12. Can My Teen Take Driver’s Ed Before Turning 16?
Yes. In fact, completing Driver’s Ed while your teen has a learner’s permit can give them time to practice what they learn before becoming eligible for a Class D license.
Many families use the permit period to combine:
- Driver education
- Professional behind-the-wheel lessons
- Parent-supervised practice
- Night driving
- Practice in different traffic and weather conditions
Spreading training and practice over time gives teens more opportunities to build experience rather than trying to complete everything shortly before the road test.
13. Can My Teen Take Joshua’s Law Driver’s Ed Online?
Yes, provided the online course meets Georgia DDS requirements.
Georgia allows approved online driver education programs as one way to complete the required instructional portion of Joshua’s Law.
Parents should always verify that a program is approved before registering. Completing an unapproved course may not satisfy the state’s licensing requirements.
Some students prefer a live instructor-led class, while others like the flexibility of self-paced online instruction. The best choice depends on how your teen learns and your family’s schedule.
14. Does Completing Driver’s Ed Mean My Teen Is Ready to Drive Alone?
Not necessarily.
Completing the required course and driving hours means your teen has satisfied important state requirements. Driving readiness is about more than checking boxes.
Before driving independently, your teen should consistently demonstrate safe habits without frequent reminders from an adult.
Look for skills such as:
- Smooth vehicle control
- Regular mirror and blind-spot checks
- Proper following distance
- Safe speed selection
- Confident lane changes
- Correct right-of-way decisions
- Good judgment at intersections
- Calm reactions when something unexpected happens
- Consistent attention to pedestrians and other road users
If you’re still frequently correcting your teen, more practice or professional instruction may help.
15. What Is the Best Way to Prepare My Teen for Joshua’s Law and the Georgia Road Test?
Start early and treat driver training as a process rather than a race to the license.
A strong approach combines quality Driver’s Ed, professional instruction when appropriate, frequent parent-supervised practice, and experience in a variety of real-world conditions.
Try to schedule practice consistently instead of completing most of the required driving in a short period of time.
It’s also helpful to periodically evaluate your teen’s progress. Ask yourself whether they are becoming less dependent on your instructions and more capable of identifying risks and making good decisions on their own.
Help Your Teen Meet Joshua’s Law Requirements with Drive Smart Georgia
Understanding Joshua’s Law requirements in Georgia is the first step. Helping your teen become a safe, confident driver is the bigger goal.
At Drive Smart Georgia, we’ve helped more than 100,000 Georgia drivers build safer driving skills since 2009.
We offer Joshua’s Law Driver’s Ed with flexible learning options, professional behind-the-wheel driving lessons, and convenient on-site road testing at select North Atlanta locations.
Our professional instructors work with teens on the skills they need for the road test – and, more importantly, the habits they need for years of safer driving.
Whether your teen is just getting a learner’s permit or preparing for the Georgia road test, we can help you choose the training option that fits your family.
Ready to get started? Explore Drive Smart Georgia’s Joshua’s Law Driver’s Ed programs and help your teen take the next step toward becoming a safer, more confident driver.
Drive Smart Georgia locations:
- Milton: 850 Mayfield Rd., Suite L-9, Milton, GA 30009. (770) 628-7540
- Johns Creek: 11380 Southbridge Pkwy., Alpharetta, GA 30022. (770) 232-0903
- Alpharetta: 5354 McGinnis Ferry Rd., Suite 226B, Alpharetta, GA 30005. (770) 232-0900
- Cumming: 1790 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 202, Cumming, Ga. (770) 239-4294
- Suwanee: 970 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee, GA 30024. (770) 741-0455
- Roswell: 590 W. Crossville Rd., Suite 204, Roswell, GA 30075. (770) 741-0405
Related articles:
- How Professional Driving Instructors Help Teens Build Lifelong Safe Driving Habits
- 10 Signs Your Teen Is Ready to Take the Georgia Road Test
- Georgia Class D License Requirements Explained
- Defensive Driving Tips that Could Help Prevent Crashes
