How Joshua’s Law Affects Getting your Driver’s License in Georgia

What Options are Available Under Joshua’s Law?

Getting through your GA DDS Joshua’s Law driver education requirements doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. If you’re under 18, you must complete a driver’s education course, and that’s where you have 4 options to satisfy Georgia graduated licensing requirements.

No matter which option you choose, there are a few general things to know. You can take a GA DDS-approved driver education at your high school or through an independent organization, so it’s worth checking if your school has an available program. Additionally, Joshua’s Law applies to new drivers 16 and 17 years old, which is an update to the original Law that only applied to 16-year-olds.

Here’s what your choices look like for a Joshua’s Law Course:

• Option 1: Classroom instruction and parent-supervised driving. With this option, you must complete the required 30 hours of classroom instruction. You will also have to finish 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training at a certified school and 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian, with 6 hours being at night.
• Option 2: Classroom instruction and parent taught behind the wheel training. This option allows your parent or guardian to provide behind-the-wheel training in addition to the required 40 hours of supervised driving and 30 hours of classroom instruction.
• Option 3: Online instruction and parent-supervised driving. You can opt to take your GA DDS-approved driver education course through a certified online program. You will still need to find a certified in-person school to take your 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training and will have to complete the required 40 hours of parent-supervised driving.
• Option 4: Online instruction and parent taught behind the wheel training

Your final option allows you to complete driver education through a certified online program and fulfill the required behind-the-wheel training with your parent or guardian. You will still have to complete your 40 hours of supervised driving with them, including 6 hours at night.

Joshua’s Law Additional Information

Before completing any behind-the-wheel training, note that you must obtain your learner’s permit. You are also required to hold your learner’s permit in good standing for a year and a day, in addition to fulfilling all GA DDS driver education and training requirements, before you’ll be eligible for a class Georgia class D driver’s license.

The only exception to this rule is for student drivers that are 17 years old and enlisted in the military. Applicants that meet these requirements are eligible for a class Georgia Class C driver’s license and do not have to hold their learner’s permit for a year and a day before applying.    

Joshua’s Law allows new drivers in Georgia to find the driver education option that works for them. Whichever option you choose, it’s important to remember that driver education is like anything else. What you get out of it is very much tied to the effort that you put into it.  The Joshua’s Law course will take care of you in all aspects.

The knowledge you acquire and the skills you build during this process can provide the foundation to keep you safe behind the wheel for life. But, you have to make the most of the opportunity.