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Georgia driving lesson · Your License

Who needs a Georgia license

A 4-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
4 minutes
Course unit
Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
6

Georgia law requires anyone who drives on the state's roads to get a Georgia driver's license or permit within 30 days of becoming a resident. The law spells out who counts as a resident, and it also lists people who may drive here without a Georgia license.

30 days

To get a Georgia license or permit after becoming a resident

Handbook p. 6 ↗

You're a Georgia resident (O.C.G.A. §40-5-1) if at least one applies:

  • You have a permanent home in Georgia and, when away, intend to return
  • You accept a job or work in any trade in Georgia, or enroll your children in school here
  • You have been in the state for 30 days or more
Handbook p. 6 ↗

No Georgia license needed (part 1):

  • A U.S. government employee driving a U.S. government-owned or leased vehicle, or on official business
  • A nonresident at least 16 carrying a valid license from their home state or country
  • A nonresident on active U.S. military duty with a valid home-state license (also their spouse and children)
  • Active military with a valid foreign license issued by the U.S. armed forces: up to 45 days after returning
  • Someone temporarily driving a farm tractor or farm equipment on a highway for farm business
Handbook p. 6 ↗

No Georgia license needed (part 2):

  • A reserve member driving a U.S. government vehicle as part of reserve duties
  • A person taking the driving exam with a licensed Responsible Adult 21+ or a DDS examiner or agent
  • A migrant farm worker working here under 90 days a calendar year with another state's valid license
  • A resident 15 or older in in-car training with a DDS-licensed instructor in a non-commercial vehicle
  • A driver of a personal transportation vehicle on roads kept for them, or crossing at a designated spot
Handbook p. 6 ↗

Know the rule

The federal-employee exemption does not apply if the U.S. government requires that employee to hold a state driver's license.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Know the rule

Any restriction that would apply to a Georgia license by law also applies to a nonresident driving on an out-of-state license.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

A nonresident attending school in Georgia needs no Georgia license if they:

  • Are at least 16 years old
  • Carry a valid home license, plus an international driving permit if it isn't in English
  • Are enrolled now, or were enrolled last term, at a school in Georgia
  • Paid nonresident tuition for that term and carry proof of payment
Handbook p. 6 ↗

Know the rule

A driving instructor must test the eyesight of any unlicensed student before in-car training, and the student must meet Georgia's vision requirements.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Put it into practice

You move to Atlanta and start a new job on March 1. Taking a job in Georgia makes you a resident, so you have 30 days to get a Georgia license or permit. After that, your old state's license no longer covers you.

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.

Within how many days of becoming a Georgia resident must you obtain a Georgia driver's license or permit?
  1. 10 days
  2. 90 days
  3. 30 days
  4. 60 days

Answer: 30 days

Georgia law requires new residents to get a GA license or permit within 30 days of becoming a resident.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
Which person is considered a Georgia resident under state law?
  1. Someone who has a Georgia mailing address but has never entered the state
  2. Someone who has visited Georgia for a week on vacation
  3. Someone who took a Georgia job and enrolled kids in school
  4. Someone who owns a vacation home in Georgia but lives elsewhere year-round

Answer: Someone who took a Georgia job and enrolled kids in school

Accepting employment or enrolling children in school in Georgia is one of the legal tests for residency.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
A nonresident who wants to drive in Georgia without a Georgia license must be at least what age and hold a valid license from their home state or country?
  1. 15 years old
  2. 16 years old
  3. 18 years old
  4. 21 years old

Answer: 16 years old

A nonresident at least 16 with a valid license from their home state or country may drive in Georgia without a GA license.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
A person who has been physically present in Georgia for how long is automatically considered a Georgia resident, even without a job or permanent home there?
  1. 6 months or more
  2. 60 days or more
  3. 10 days or more
  4. 30 days or more

Answer: 30 days or more

Under O.C.G.A. §40-5-1, anyone in the state 30 days or more is considered a Georgia resident.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
An employee of the United States government operating a government-owned vehicle on official business is always required to obtain a Georgia driver's license.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

This is one of the listed exemptions, unless a federal agency requires that employee to hold a state license.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
A migrant farm worker who works in Georgia less than 90 days a year and holds a valid out-of-state license is exempt from needing a Georgia license.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

This is one of the listed exemptions for migrant farm workers who work fewer than 90 days a year in Georgia.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
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