When I graduate, when do I get my certificate and what do I do?
You will receive a certificate of completion by email 1 to 2 business days after you graduate. Once you receive that email, print out the certificate, and take it to the driver's licensing office along with the other required forms and paperwork when you apply for your license.
Does this course satisfy Joshua's Law training requirements?
Yes, our Georgia 30 Hour Driver Education course is approved in Georgia to satisfy the 30-hour classroom driver education requirement under Joshua's law. This training is required for 16- and 17-year-olds seeking their first license. You are also required to complete 40 hours of supervised driver training (which can be done with a parent or legal guardian).
Who needs to complete Joshua's Law driver training?
The 30-hour Joshua's Law course is required for 16- and 17-year-old teens seeking their first license in Georgia. To earn your license, you will also need to complete 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice with a parent or a commercial driving school. Learn more about the full requirements for your license on the Georgia DDS website.
What is the Parent/Teen Driving Guide?
The Parent/Teen Guide is a handbook that provides suggestions for in-car lessons to help parents prepare their teenagers for the responsibilities of driving. This technical assistance guide provides parents with a systematic approach to teach their teenagers to make safe driving decisions. The suggested lessons in the guide follow a sequential learning pattern that progresses from the parking lot to neighborhoods, to light traffic to rural highways, to expressways and then to city driving. The Parent/Teen Driving Guide can be used in conjunction with the Georgia 30 Hour Driver Education course to meet the requirements of Joshua's Law.
How do I complete the driving portion of the Joshua's law requirement?
You can complete the 40 hours supervised driving with a parent by using the parent/teen driving guide.
Or you can sign up with a licensed driver training school in your area and complete the required training with a licensed instructor.
Can I get an insurance discount for taking this course?
Insurance companies do offer discounts for students under 25 completing driver education and training. However, you will have to check with your insurance company for a complete list of requirements to qualify for a discount.
Can you earn a tax credit for taking a driver education course?
Yes, parents or guardians are eligible for a tax credit in an amount up to a $150.00 if their dependent minor child successfully completes a course through a private driver education school that is licensed with the DDS. A copy of the Certificate of Completion and proof of the fees paid for the course will be required to qualify for the credit. The amount of the credit is equal to $150.00 or the actual amount paid, whichever is less. Courses taken at private or public high schools do not qualify for this credit. Check with the Department of Revenue for more information.
Why is this course called the Joshua's Law Course?
In 2007, it became state law that all 16-year-olds must complete 40 hours of supervised driving and 30 hours of driver education before obtaining a Georgia driver's license. This law is named after Joshua Brown, a high school student who died of fatal injuries after hydroplaning and crashing his car in 2003. Georgia passed House Bill 466 in July 2021, which made Joshua's Law training mandatory for 17-year-olds seeking their first license.
What is the difference between a Provisional Class D License and a Full Class C License?
In the state of Georgia, 16-year-olds who have had their permit for a year and have completed the Joshua's Law requirements are eligible to apply for a Class D Provisional License. This is a driver's license, but it comes with many restrictions as to when you can drive and who can be in the car with you. Once you turn 18, you are eligible for a Class C Full License. Learn more about Georgia Driver's Licenses.
How do I prove I have met the 40 hours of supervised driving requirement?
Your parent or legal guardian who also possesses a Georgia license or ID Card will need to sign an affidavit that you, the student, have completed 40 hours of on-the-road driver's training privately, or 20 hours of on-the-road training as part of an approved driver's education class.
Will my parent need to come with me to get my license?
Yes, a parent or legal guardian with a valid Georgia license or ID card will need to accompany you and sign for you before you can receive a license.
What if I do not complete the Joshua's Law course?
You will not be eligible to apply for a Class D Provisional License until you complete the course.
Does this course meet the Georgia Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) requirement?
Most Georgia teens complete an ADAP course their freshman year of high school as part of a physical education or health class. If you did not live in Georgia during your freshman year or were absent when this course was taught, you may be able to take the online eADAP course. Visit http://www.dds.ga.gov/adap/ for more information.
Helpful Links for More Information
- Class D driver's license requirements
- Parent/Teen Driving Guide (includes affidavit for 40 hours of supervised driving at the end of the guide)
- Joshua's law explained
- ADAP course information and scheduling
- Forms and manuals
- Georgia driver education FAQs
- General driver's license information
- Georgia DDS contact information
