Graduated License

A strong collaboration among Georgia highway safety advocates, legislators, law enforcement officials, educators and schools, businesses and the media led to the adoption of a new state law targeting young drivers. Effective July 1, 1997, the statewide Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act established a program of licensing young drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. The program required new drivers in the targeted age group to advance through a three-step licensing process designed to provide a more intense level of education while allowing the young driver to gain more experience. Each step consists of specific requirements for young drivers:

Step One grants an Instructional Permit to 15 year old applicants who successfuly complete a written examination. The permit holder must always drive accompanied by a passenger who is at least 21 years old and has a valid Class C driver's license.

Step Two grants an Intermediate (Class D) License to drivers between 16 and 18 years of age who have held an Instructional Permit for 12 months, and have passed the driving test. The Intermediate License carries the following restrictions:

1) No driving between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless the driver is going to and from employment; going to and from a school event; going to and from an activity sponsored by a religious organization; or experiencing a medical, fire, or law enforcement emergency

2) No driving with more than three non-family passengers under the age of 21

Step Three grants a Full Class C License to drivers ages 18 and older who hold the Class D license and have incurred no major traffic convictions during the previous 12 month

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