If you operate a driving school in Georgia or are considering starting one, understanding the state’s driver education requirements is essential. Georgia’s graduated licensing system and driver education regulations have specific requirements that affect how you structure your programs and serve your students.
This guide covers what driving schools need to know about Georgia’s driver education landscape, compliance requirements, and how to build a successful driving school business in the Peach State.
Georgia’s Graduated Driver’s License System
Georgia uses a graduated driver’s license (GDL) system designed to give new drivers progressive experience under controlled conditions.
Stage 1: Instructional Permit (Class CP)
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 15 years
- Pass vision screening
- Pass knowledge test on traffic laws and signs
- Parent/guardian consent if under 18
- Pay applicable fees
Restrictions:
- Must be accompanied by licensed driver 21+ in front seat
- Cannot drive between 12 AM and 5 AM (some exceptions)
- No more passengers than seat belts
- Must hold for 1 year and 1 day before Class D license
Stage 2: Class D Provisional License
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 16 years
- Held instructional permit for 1 year and 1 day
- Complete Joshua’s Law requirements (see below)
- Log 40 hours of supervised driving (6 at night)
- Pass road skills test
- No major violations in previous 12 months
Restrictions:
- First 6 months: No passengers under 21 (except family)
- Months 7-12: Only 1 passenger under 21 (except family)
- No driving 12 AM to 5 AM for first 6 months (exceptions apply)
- Cell phone prohibition (all drivers under 18)
Stage 3: Full Class C License
Requirements:
- Age 18 or older
- Clean driving record during provisional period
- Meet all other standard requirements
Joshua’s Law: Driver Education Requirements
Joshua’s Law, named after Joshua Brown who died in a car crash at 16, mandates driver education for teen drivers in Georgia.
Requirements
For drivers under 18:
- 30 hours of classroom instruction (or approved online course)
- 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with certified instructor
- 40 hours of supervised driving with parent/guardian (6 at night)
For drivers 18 and older:
- No mandatory driver education
- Still must pass knowledge and skills tests
Approved Programs
Driver education programs must be approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). This includes:
- Private driving schools
- High school driver education programs
- Online classroom instruction (ADAP courses)
ADAP vs. Full Driver Education
ADAP (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program):
- Satisfies classroom requirement
- Can be completed online
- Does not include behind-the-wheel training
Full Driver Education:
- Includes classroom/online instruction
- Plus 6 hours behind-the-wheel
- Comprehensive preparation
Note: Students often complete ADAP online then seek behind-the-wheel training separately. Driving schools can offer the driving portion independently.
Starting a Driving School in Georgia
Licensing Requirements
Business License:
- Register with Georgia Secretary of State
- Obtain local business license
- Comply with zoning requirements for office location
DDS School License:
- Apply through Georgia DDS
- Meet insurance requirements
- Pass facility inspection
- Demonstrate curriculum compliance
- Pay licensing fees
- Renew as required
Instructor Requirements
To become a certified instructor:
- Minimum age 21
- Valid Georgia Class C license (3+ years)
- No DUI/DWI convictions (10 years)
- No felony convictions
- Complete instructor training program
- Pass DDS instructor exam
- Background check clearance
- Maintain certification through continuing education
Vehicle Requirements
Training vehicles must:
- Have dual brake controls
- Be properly insured
- Pass safety inspections
- Display appropriate signage
- Meet DDS specifications
Insurance Requirements
Georgia requires driving schools to maintain:
- General liability coverage
- Professional liability coverage
- Vehicle insurance with coverage for instructional use
- Coverage amounts specified by DDS
Curriculum Standards
Classroom Instruction
Required topics:
- Georgia traffic laws and regulations
- Defensive driving techniques
- Hazard recognition and avoidance
- Effects of alcohol and drugs on driving
- Vehicle operation basics
- Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, trucks
- Emergency procedures
- Insurance and financial responsibility
- Environmental impacts of driving
Delivery options:
- Traditional classroom
- DDS-approved online courses
- Hybrid approaches (where permitted)
Behind-the-Wheel Training
6 hours must include:
- Pre-drive preparation and vehicle familiarity
- Basic vehicle control
- Residential street driving
- Urban and highway driving
- Intersection navigation
- Lane changes and merging
- Parking (parallel, perpendicular, angle)
- Hazard response
- Night driving exposure (recommended)
Documentation
Required records:
- Student enrollment documentation
- Attendance records
- Behind-the-wheel training logs
- Completion certificates
- Instructor certifications
- Vehicle maintenance records
Driving school software helps maintain these records systematically and produce required documentation.
Working with Teen Drivers and Parents
Parent Involvement
Georgia’s 40-hour requirement means parents are integral to the process.
How to support parents:
- Provide clear guidance on logging requirements
- Offer parent orientation sessions
- Share tips for productive practice sessions
- Provide tracking sheets or app recommendations
- Communicate student progress regularly
Teen-Specific Challenges
Common issues:
- Overconfidence vs. excessive anxiety
- Peer pressure
- Device distraction
- Limited experience with consequences
- Varying maturity levels
Effective approaches:
- Patient, consistent instruction
- Positive reinforcement
- Clear expectations and boundaries
- Connecting actions to consequences
- Building genuine skill, not just test-passing ability
Marketing Your Georgia Driving School
Target Audiences
Primary: Parents of teens
- Researching schools for children
- Concerned about safety
- Comparing options
- Looking for Joshua’s Law compliance
Secondary: Adult learners
- New to driving
- Relocating from other states/countries
- Returning to driving after gap
- License reinstatement
Local Marketing
Strategies:
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Local SEO for “driving school [city]” searches
- Partnerships with high schools
- Community event presence
- Referral programs
Messaging:
- Joshua’s Law compliance
- Instructor qualifications
- Safety record
- Flexible scheduling
- Student success rates
Online Presence
Georgia parents research online before choosing driving schools.
Essential elements:
- Mobile-friendly website
- Clear program information
- Pricing transparency
- Online booking capability
- Reviews and testimonials
- Joshua’s Law compliance information
Common Compliance Issues
Record Keeping Failures
Problems:
- Incomplete behind-the-wheel logs
- Missing student signatures
- Improper instructor documentation
- Lost or disorganised records
Solutions:
- Digital record-keeping systems
- Standardised processes
- Regular audits
- Management software with built-in compliance features Check out Driving School Management Software. Learn more about Driving School Software: What’s Actually Available?.
Instructor Certification Lapses
Issues:
- Expired certifications
- Missing continuing education
- Inadequate background check renewal
Prevention:
- Track certification dates systematically
- Schedule renewals in advance
- Build relationships with training providers
Vehicle Compliance
Common problems:
- Expired inspections
- Inadequate insurance documentation
- Missing or incorrect signage
- Dual control issues
Best practices:
- Regular vehicle inspection schedule
- Documented maintenance records
- Insurance renewal tracking
Pricing Your Services
Market Rates
Georgia driving school rates vary by region and services:
Behind-the-wheel only (6 hours):
- Range: $250-$450
- Average: $300-$350
Full packages (classroom + driving):
- Range: $400-$700
- Average: $450-$550
Hourly rates (additional lessons):
- Range: $45-$75/hour
- Average: $50-$60/hour
Pricing Strategies
Consider:
- Local competition rates
- Your overhead costs
- Instructor qualifications
- Service quality
- Target market ability to pay
Options:
- Package pricing (most common)
- Pay-per-lesson flexibility
- Family discounts
- Early payment incentives
Technology for Georgia Driving Schools
Scheduling and Management
Modern driving schools use software to:
- Manage student enrollment
- Schedule lessons efficiently
- Track behind-the-wheel hours
- Generate completion certificates
- Process payments
- Send automated reminders
Driving school scheduling software reduces admin time and improves student experience.
Online Learning Integration
If offering ADAP or classroom content online:
- Ensure DDS approval
- Track completion properly
- Integrate with your other systems
- Provide technical support for students
Summary
Operating a driving school in Georgia requires:
- Proper licensing from Georgia DDS
- Certified instructors meeting all state requirements
- Compliant vehicles with dual controls and insurance
- Joshua’s Law-compliant curriculum for teen drivers
- Comprehensive record keeping for all students and instruction
- Effective marketing to parents and students
- Technology systems to manage operations efficiently
Understanding these requirements positions your school for success while serving Georgia’s new drivers safely.
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