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Georgia driving lesson · Getting Licensed

Getting your Class C license

A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Getting Licensed
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
10

The Class C license is Georgia's full non-commercial license. How you get one depends on where you start: exchanging a Class D, moving up from a permit at 18, or applying as an adult who has never been licensed.

Know the rule

A Class D holder may apply for a Class C license upon reaching age 18.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

To exchange, you must have held a valid Class D until 18, or for one year and one day, with no convictions for major traffic violations in the 12 months before applying.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

After you surrender the Class D (or affirm you can't), you get a Class C for $32, good for 8 years. No other documents or testing are required for U.S. citizens.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

A CP holder may apply for Class C only after reaching 18. You must surrender the CP (or affirm you can't) and pass a road test.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

A CP holder moving up must also sign an affidavit that they completed 40 hours of supervised driving, including 6 hours at night.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Never licensed and 18 or older? You have two options:

  • Apply for a Class C now: meet document rules, pass knowledge and road tests, sign the 40-hour affidavit
  • Or get a Class C Instructional Permit (CP) first to practice under a licensed driver's supervision
Handbook p. 10 ↗
$32

Cost of an 8-year Class C license

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Paths to a Class C license

Paths to a Class C license
Starting pointRoad test?Key requirement
Class D holder, 18+No (U.S. citizens)No major violations in prior 12 months
CP holder, 18+Yes40-hour affidavit, 6 hours at night
Never licensed, 18+Yes, plus knowledge testDocuments and 40-hour affidavit
Handbook p. 10 ↗

Put it into practice

Jordan held a Class D from 16 to 18 with a clean record. On turning 18, Jordan turns in the Class D at DDS, pays $32 and gets an 8-year Class C with no test.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

At what age may a Class D license holder exchange it for a Class C license without further testing?
  1. 19
  2. 17
  3. 16
  4. 18

Answer: 18

A Class D holder may apply for a Class C license upon reaching age 18, without further testing if eligible.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
What condition must a Class D holder meet to exchange for a Class C license without additional testing?
  1. Two years of unrestricted highway driving
  2. No major violations in the prior 12 months
  3. Completion of a second driver education course
  4. Payment of a $100 upgrade fee

Answer: No major violations in the prior 12 months

The applicant must have held the Class D license without a major traffic violation conviction in the preceding 12 months.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
What is the cost of an 8-year Class C license issued at exchange from a Class D license?
  1. $32
  2. $50
  3. $20
  4. $10

Answer: $32

Upon exchange, a Class C license is issued at the cost of $32 for an 8-year license.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
If you are 18 or older and have never held any Georgia license or permit, what must you do to get a Class C license directly?
  1. Complete a 6-hour defensive driving course only
  2. Meet document rules and pass knowledge and road tests
  3. Present a birth certificate; no testing is required
  4. Pass only a vision test

Answer: Meet document rules and pass knowledge and road tests

First-time applicants 18 or older must meet documentation requirements and pass the knowledge and road tests.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
An 18-year-old exchanging a Class C Instructional Permit (CP) for a Class C license must still pass a road test.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Unlike a Class D-to-C exchange, a CP holder applying for a Class C license must still pass the road test.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
How does the Class C license process differ for someone exchanging a Class D license versus exchanging a Class C Instructional Permit (CP)?
  1. Both require a full new road test and knowledge exam
  2. Neither requires any further testing
  3. The Class D exchange requires no additional road test, but the CP exchange does
  4. The CP exchange requires no test, but the Class D exchange does

Answer: The Class D exchange requires no additional road test, but the CP exchange does

A Class D holder can exchange directly for Class C without further testing if eligible, while a CP holder must still pass the road test.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
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