Driver's License

Commercial and regular passenger vehicle driver’s licenses, driver's permits and state identification cards are issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (GA DDS).

The local office of the GA DDS is at 62 Doyle St. in Toccoa. Many services are also offered online.

Customers who are renewing or applying for the first time must visit a DDS Customer Service Center in person and present documents proving identity, social security number and residential address.

To assist with collecting your documents, DDS has created a Checklist Wizard (click on Checklist Wizard link to the right) that will allow you to print a custom checklist of your documents or you may choose to print the full list of acceptable documents. 

Renewal Options

The Department of Driver Services (DDS) issues a secure driver's license to help protect Georgians from identity theft. Persons applying for a renewal will be issued an interim driver's license while a permanent driver's license is being processed. To ensure receipt of the permanent driver's license, the customer's current address must be on file with the Department of Driver Services (DDS).

A customer account must be established to utilize Online Renewal Services. This account can be used to conduct an online service transaction, obtain information specific to your driving record or check the status of your order. Name changes cannot be processed online; legal documentation of the name change must be presented at a Customer Service Center.

Learner Permit (Instructional License)

Teenagers in Georgia can start driving at age 15 with a learner or instructional permit.
A parent or legal guardian with a Georgia License or ID Card will have to sign for you. The legal guardian must have a certified guardianship paper from court or adoption paper with embossed court seal.

You must also provide a Georgia DDS Certificate of Attendance form signed and notarized from your school. It is only valid for 30 days. All applicants under the age of 18 not enrolled in school must provide a GED diploma, high school diploma or an attendance form from your local Board of Education if you are enrolled in an approved home school program.

When driving, there must be a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front seat with the teen driver at all times.

New to Georgia

Getting a new driver’s license in Georgia is pretty straightforward, whether you’ve just moved to the state or you’re getting a driver’s license for the first time.

You’ll need to gather several documents and take them to a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. Depending on your previous driving experience, you may have to take a written permit test, a driving test, or both.

If you are at least 18 years old, you do not need to hold a learner’s permit before applying for your full Georgia driver’s license, unless you want to practice driving before your driving test.

Teen Drivers

The procedures for teen drivers are set forth in the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA).

TADRA is a graduated driver's license program for young drivers ages 15 to 18. It was established in Georgia by a collaborative effort of highway safety advocates, legislators, law enforcement officials, educators, businesses and media in the wake of a high number of fatal vehicle crashes involving young, inexperienced drivers.

TADRA involves an intense, three-step educational process that allows the young driver to gain more experience behind the wheel.

Lost or Stolen Licenses

If your Georgia driver’s license, permit, or ID has been lost or stolen, it’s important to report it to your local police department right away, especially if you know that it has been stolen.

The GA DDS allows you to get a replacement license or ID by bringing in a copy of your police report; it must state that your driver’s license or ID card was compromised or stolen.

You may apply for a new driver’s license or ID card number IF you present a police report that clearly states that your license or ID card was stolen.

The GA DDS lets residents of the state apply for a duplicate driver’s license, ID, or permit either in person or online. Note that certain eligibility requirements apply to use of the online system.

Also note that the GA DDS implemented Secure DL/ID requirements in July 2012 and strongly encourages those replacing a driver’s license or ID card to upgrade to a secure ID, as you will be required to upgrade at your next ID renewal. You can only do so in person.