Minimum age for a car driving licence in Georgia (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A Class CP learner's permit is available from 15 and a Class D provisional licence from 16, after at least a year and a day on the permit. A full Class C licence is granted from 18.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A Class D provisional licence is open at 16 or 17 to an applicant who has held a Class CP learner's permit for at least 1 year and 1 day and who meets the Joshua's Law requirements (30 hours of driver education, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel or 40 hours of parent-taught training, and 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 at night). A full unrestricted Class C licence is granted from age 18. [3] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | Under Joshua's Law, a 16- or 17-year-old needs 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of them at night, plus 30 hours of driver education and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training (or 40 hours of parent-taught training) for a Class D licence. [3] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A Class D (provisional) licence holder may not drive between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m., with no exceptions. The restriction follows the licence class, not age, until the holder upgrades to a Class C licence (from 18). [1] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | On a Class D licence: first six months only immediate family members; second six months no more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family; after one year no more than three such passengers. [1] |
Notes
- This is the age for the Class D provisional licence, which has passenger and night-time restrictions. A full Class C licence is granted from 18.
- The pages read for Georgia state no age rule for visitors holding a licence from another state or country.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Driver Services: Class D (Teen Drivers) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Georgia Department of Driver Services: Teen Driving Laws FAQs (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Georgia Department of Driver Services: Teen Drivers (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Georgia and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 16 (Class D provisional licence) | 15 (Class CP learner's permit) | Class D at 16-17 after 1 year + 1 day on a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Alabama | 16 (Stage II restricted licence) | 15 (Stage I learner's permit) | Restricted from 16; unrestricted from 17-18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Florida | 16 (after 12 months on a learner's licence) | 15 (learner's licence) | 16-17: 12 months on learner's licence first | Yes, 16+ with a valid home licence |
| North Carolina | 16 (Level 2 limited provisional) | 15 (limited learner permit) | L1 at 15; L2 at 16 after 9 months; L3 after 6 more | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Carolina | 15 (conditional licence, daylight only) | 15 (beginner's permit) | Permit 15; daylight-only licence at 15 | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Tennessee | 16 (intermediate restricted licence) | 15 (learner permit) | Permit at 15; intermediate licence at 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Georgia
- Cannabis
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (all other areas)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: 15
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed sellers, 18+) · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Blade of 12 in or less: not a 'knife' · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $5.15 per hour (state; federal $7.25)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Minors 8 and older only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.