Georgia DDS Drivers Manual Flashcards
DDS
Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) provides driver and identity credentials.
DDS's mission is to provide secure driver and identity credentials to customers with excellence and respect.
Core values include trusted service, ethical actions and accountability to all.
DDS online services are available at dds.georgia.gov with potential $5.00 discount for online renewals.
Material in the manual is subject to change to comply with amended State and Federal legislation.
CONTENIS
Licenses, Permits and Identification Cards:
General Licensing Information.
Obtaining a License, Permit or Identification Card.
Testing Information.
Other Services and Information.
Rules, Regulations, Laws, and Safety:
Traffic Laws.
Teen Driving Laws.
Signs, Signals and Markings.
Safety Guidelines.
Sharing the Road.
Losing Your Driving Privileges.
Crashes.
Title VI Policy Statement
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related nondiscrimination authorities.
DDS assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low-income, and Limited English Proficiency (LEP), be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.
DDS will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency.
Governor's Message
Encouragement to exercise good judgment, follow driving laws, and prioritize safety.
Commissioner's Message
The commissioner urges attention to Traffic Laws, Teen Driving Laws, and Safety Guidelines sections, emphasizing obeying laws and avoiding distracted driving.
Board of Directors
The Department of Driver Services (DDS) Board of Directors reminds customers that driving in Georgia is a privilege that carries many responsibilities.
The manual helps to qualify for a Georgia driver's license and become a safer driver.
Traffic Stops by Police
Police officers conduct traffic stops with reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal violation.
When stopped, drivers and passengers should stay calm and cooperate.
Activate turn signal and pull safely to the side of the road.
Turn off the engine and any audio devices.
Stay in the vehicle unless directed otherwise.
Turn on interior lights at night for visibility.
Keep hands visible on the steering wheel.
Follow officer instructions.
Lower the window to communicate.
Inform the officer of any weapons in the vehicle.
Wait for instructions before reaching for documents.
The officer will show credentials if not in uniform, and may ask about your trip.
The officer will ask for driver's license, insurance proof, and vehicle registration.
If documents are out of reach, inform the officer before retrieving them.
The officer may ask you to exit the vehicle, directing you where to stand.
The officer may issue a warning, ticket, or make an arrest, explaining the action being taken.
Sign the ticket to acknowledge receipt, not as an admission of guilt; refusal to sign may lead to arrest.
To address concerns about inappropriate officer conduct, request to speak to a supervisor promptly after the stop.
GENERAL UCENSING INFORMATION
Georgia law requires new residents to obtain a Georgia driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency (O.C.G.A. §40-5-1).
A Georgia resident is defined as someone with a permanent home in the state, accepting employment, engaging in trade or occupation, or enrolling children in school.
Employees of the U.S. government operating government vehicles on official business, nonresidents with valid out-of-state licenses, active duty military and their dependents with valid out-of-state licenses, and individuals operating certain farm equipment or reserve component vehicles are exempt from obtaining a Georgia driver's license.
Individuals seeking a driver's license while taking a driving examination, migrant farm workers working less than 90 days in the state, and students in a DDS-licensed driving education program are also exempt.
Non-resident students attending a school in Georgia, as long as they:
Are at least 16 years of age
Have a valid license from their home state or country and a valid international driving permit if the license is in a non-English language.
Currently enrolled or were enrolled during the immediately preceding period of enrollment in a school in this state.
Have paid the tuition charged by the school to nonresidents of Georgia for the current or immediately preceding enrollment.
Have in his or her possession proof of payment of such tuition paid for the current or immediately preceding period of enrollment.
Applicants under 18 must have a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult sign the application and complete a Responsible Adult Affidavit.
Applicants under age 18 require completion of Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) and satisfaction of school enrollment requirements
For a Class D license or for a Class M Instructional Permit (MP) at age 16 or age 17 proof of completion of a DDS approved driver education program plus evidence of at least forty (40) hours of supervised driving, six of which must be at night.
Additional details concerning these requiments can be found on page 26 of this manual or on our website at dds.georgja.gov.
Previous Licenses: you must surrender, the previously-issued license/permit/ID to DDS.
Most non-citizen customers with a valid out of country driver's license, permit, or ID, may retain their out of country document upon issuance of a Georgia-equivalent document.
U.S. citizens will not be allowed to retain any licenses, permits, or identification cards issued to them by foreign countries.
Vision Requirements:
minimum acceptable vision for a noncommercial license is 20/60 in one eye, with or without corrective lenses, and a horizontal field of vision of at least 140 degrees.
If unable to pass the vision screening at the DDS Customer Service Center, you will be given a Vision Report Form (DS-274) to be completed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Bioptic lenses for driving need to be documented by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist via form DS-274.
Each time you complete a transaction, you will be required to indicate whether you require glasses or contacts for driving.
Customers age 64 and over must successfully complete a vision screening every eight years.
Customers who have obtained a license with a bioptic lenses restriction must provide updated medical information to the Department every two years.
Licenses are categorized by Class, each tailored to specific vehicle types and operational restrictions.
Three-wheel autocycles, equipped with a steering wheel instead of handlebars, do not require a Class M Motorcycle Operator's License.
DDS will not administer road tests that involve the use of an autocycle.
Georgia also issues Class A, B, and C commercial licenses. Information about these licenses is available in the Georgia commercial Drivers Manual at DDS Customer Service Centers and online (dds.georgia.gov).
License, permit and ID card holders are allowed one free name or address change per issuance term.
Any subsequent modifications require a full renewal at regular cost.
Name changes must be in accordance with the requirements listed on page 16.
A replacement driver's license, permit or ID card is a duplicate of the replaced document and costs $5.00 per occurrence.
When issuing a driver's license, DDS is authorized to impose restrictions on your driver's license, whenever there is good cause, to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle.
To renew a driver's license that has expired more than two years, you must pass a vision test, a driving test, and an exam to tes your knowledge of road signs and road rules.
You must have an appropriate driver's license or permit in your possession while operating a motor vehicle in the State of Georgia. If stopped while driving, you must display your driver's license/permit to any law enforcement officer upon his or her request.
Beginning May 7, 2025, a Real ID compliant card (with a star in the right corner) to fly within the U.S. or enter federal buildings or any nuclear power plant
LICENSE, PERMIT, AND IDENTIFICATION CARD FEES
Driver's License (Class A, B, C, E, F, and M) 10
Instructional Permit (Class A, B, C and M) $$10
DDS License Restriction Codes
A = no restrictions
B = corrective lenses required
OBTAINING A UCENSE, PERMrrOR IDENTIFICATION CARD
Class C lnst111ctional Permit (CP):
Upon reaching age 15, you may apply for a Class C Tnstructional Permit (CP}.
You will be required to present documents verifying your identity, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, and Georgia residency as explained on page 6.
If you are under age 18, you will be required to present proof of school enrollment
If you are under age 18, a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult will have to sign the application, thereby giving their consent for you to obtain a permit
Once issued a Oass C Instructional Permit (CP), you may operate any Class C vehicle when accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed to drive a Class C vehicle, who isfit and capable of exercising control over the vehicle, and who isoccupying a seat beside the driver;
Class C Instructional Permits (0') arc valid for up to 2 years.
Class D Provisional License
Upon reaching the age of 16, and after having held a valid instructional permit for one year and one day, you may apply for your Class D license
Driver Education Requirements
either 30 hours of classroom instruction OR completion of an equivalent online virtual course; AND 06 hours of on-the-road experience with a certified instructor OR completion of the DDS Parent Teen Driving Guide available Online or at any CSC.
Conditions of a Class D Provisional License
A Class D license holder may not drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. N0 EXCEPTIONS
TESTING INFORMATION
Knowledge Exam:
Road Signs: You must correctly answer 15 outof 20 questions to pass. You may take a practice test at dds.georgia.gov.
Road Rules: You must correctly answer 15 out of 20 questions to pass. You may take a practice test at dds.georgia.gov.
Road Test:
DDS will only administer a Class C or D road test in a four-wheel vehicle;
Parallel Parking: Park midway between two standards so that your car is not more than 18 inches from the curb. The standard parallel parking dimensions utilized in the driver's license test are 22 feet in length by 10 feet in depth;
Straight Line Backing: Back your car for a distance of approximately 50 feet at a slow rate of speed (not more than 10 miles per hour) as straight and as smoothly as possible. You must turn your head and look behind the vehicle while backing. No boundary lines should be encroached;
Approaching Intersections and Corners: You must be in the proper lane and look in both directions;
Your non-commercial road test may be administered in a virtual or traditional format.
TRAFFIC LAWS
Obey traffic control devices (lights and signs).
Obey the traffic directions of a law enforcement officer or firefighter.
Never drive on a roadway that has been closed for construction.
Laws Governing Right-of-Way
When traveling on a roadway that intersects with another roadway, if you are faced with a stop sign, but other traffic is not, you may proceed only after stopping and yielding the right-of-way to any other vehicle or pedestrian either in the intersection.
At intersections where there are no stop signs, yield signs or other traffic signals, if two vehicles come to the intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to the driver of the vehicle on the right
THE “MOVE OVER” LAW,
Move over to the next lane if safely possible.
If unable to move over, then slow down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop.
TEENDRWING LAWS
Approval Driver education training required to obtain a Gass D Provisional license at ages 16 andl7.
To obtain a Gass D license at the age of 16 or approved 17 you must complete course education by DDS.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP).
If the teen obtains the on-the-road component from a certified instructor, a separate document affirming that this requirement has been met must be completed at the time of the road test.
Teen Moving to Georgia
Any 17-year-old is exempt from holding their Class CP/instructional permit for oneJear and one day with proof that they are enlisted in the military. They will be issued a Class C license after successfully passing the road lcsL
SIGNS
Use seven basic shapes of signs to convey traffic control instructions: Vertical Rectangle, Horizontal Rectangle, Diamond shaped, An Octagon, A round sign, Pentagon shaped signs.
A red circle with a red slash means