Can You Get Driving Lessons at 16 in Georgia?

Yes – you can get driving lessons at 16 in Georgia. All you need is a valid Georgia Class D learner’s permit.

If you have that permit, you’re ready to book. Here’s exactly how the process works – from your first permit to your first lesson and beyond.

This guide covers: permit requirements, the Joshua’s Law course you need before lessons count toward your license, how our BTW packages work, how your lesson hours stack toward the 40 supervised hours Georgia requires, and how to use our school’s car for the road test at our Alpharetta and Lawrenceville campuses.

Do You Need a Permit Before Taking Driving Lessons?

Georgia law requires an active Class D instructional permit before any supervised behind-the-wheel training can begin.

You can apply for the permit at 15, so most students who come to us at 16 already have one in hand.

To get your permit at a Georgia DDS office, you’ll need:

• Proof of age and identity (birth certificate or U.S. passport)
• Proof of Georgia residency (utility bill, school enrollment form, or similar)
• Parental or guardian consent if you’re under 18
• A passing score on the DDS knowledge test and vision screening

Your permit is issued the same day you pass. Georgia DDS publishes an official driver’s manual at dds.georgia.gov – a few hours with it is the most direct way to prepare for the knowledge test.

Does Joshua’s Law Apply Before You Start Driving Lessons?

It does – and this is the step many families don’t anticipate.

Georgia’s Joshua’s Law requires teens under 18 to complete a 30-hour Driver’s Education course before behind-the-wheel hours count toward a license.

The course covers Georgia traffic laws, road sign recognition, hazard awareness, night driving risks, and defensive driving fundamentals. It’s not just a requirement to check off – it builds the knowledge base your in-car training will reinforce.

We offer the Joshua’s Law classroom course at all seven of our Metro Atlanta locations: Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, East Cobb, West Cobb, Johns Creek, and Doraville. A self-paced online version is also available if your schedule is tight.

Georgia also offers the GDEC Scholarship to help cover Driver’s Education costs for eligible students. Ask us about availability when you enroll.

→ Driver’s Education and Joshua’s Law course
→ Full overview of what Joshua’s Law requires in Georgia

How Do Behind-the-Wheel Lessons at 1 ACT Work?

Once your permit is active and you’re enrolled in (or have completed) the Joshua’s Law course, you can schedule your lessons through our online registration portal.

Our packages run from 2 hours ($185) to 40 hours ($2,845). Here’s how we typically guide students on how many hours to start with:

• Complete beginners with little or no practice time: 12–14 hours
• Teens who’ve been practicing regularly with a parent: 8–10 hours
• Nervous or anxious drivers: 14+ hours

Early lessons focus on basic vehicle controls, smooth braking, and lane positioning. As you progress, we move into highway merging, intersection management, backing, and parallel parking. By the end, most students can handle the full range of conditions they’ll face on a real road test.

Every lesson is in our fully insured school vehicle, with a DDS-certified instructor beside you. We pick you up at home and drop you off after the lesson – no extra logistics for you or your family.

→ Check availability and book your first lesson: here

Do Lesson Hours Count Toward the 40 Supervised Driving Hours?

Yes – and this is one of the most practical advantages of professional lessons.

Hours logged with a licensed driving school count toward Georgia’s 40-hour supervised driving requirement. You need 40 total hours – including at least 6 at night – before you can apply for a full Class D license.

The 6 BTW hours completed with a DDS-certified school also satisfy the Joshua’s Law behind-the-wheel requirement at the same time. Professional lessons count toward both totals simultaneously.

Keep a written driving log throughout your supervised period. Record the date, duration, and supervising adult for every session. Georgia DDS provides an official supervised driving log form at dds.georgia.gov – download it before your first lesson and fill it in as you go.

Don’t leave the paperwork until the end. Individual sessions are easy to forget after months of practice.

Can You Take the Road Test Through 1 ACT?

Yes – at two of our locations. We offer Third-Party Testing (TPT) at our Alpharetta and Lawrenceville campuses. You take the road test in our school’s insured vehicle, with a state-approved examiner. No DDS service center appointment required.

Road test pricing at Alpharetta and Lawrenceville (promotions are valid for a limited period only – please check our website for current dates):

• Standalone test: $150
• Combined with 6 hours of lessons: $95
• Combined with 8 hours: $75
• Combined with 10+ hours: Free

TPT is only available at our Alpharetta and Lawrenceville locations – not at Sandy Springs, East Cobb, West Cobb, Doraville, or Johns Creek. If testing at school matters to you, plan your lesson package at one of those two campuses from the start.

In your final lesson before the test, your instructor runs a full mock exam covering all the skills the examiner will evaluate. Most students who complete their recommended hours are ready.

What Happens After You Pass the Road Test?

Passing the road test doesn’t hand you a license on the spot.

Your parent or guardian takes the examiner’s documentation to a Georgia DDS office to convert your Class D instructional permit to a Class D provisional license.

The provisional license includes graduated restrictions for drivers under 18 – including limits on late-night driving hours and how many passengers you can carry. These restrictions lift automatically as you gain experience and age.

Most students who start the process at 16 with a fresh permit are on track for a full, unrestricted Class C license by 18. The habits you build with a certified instructor – and the supervised hours you log – are the foundation you’ll drive on for years.

The Bottom Line

Getting driving lessons at 16 in Georgia is straightforward once you know the steps.

Permit first. Joshua’s Law course next. Then behind-the-wheel hours with a DDS-certified instructor – hours that count toward both your license requirement and Joshua’s Law simultaneously.

The students who finish confident and road-test-ready are almost always the ones who invested in proper instruction from the start, rather than relying on parent-only practice. Certified instructors know exactly what Georgia examiners look for. That experience makes a real difference on test day.

We’ve helped over 1,300 Metro Atlanta students earn their licenses. We’re ready to help you, too.

Ready to Book Your First Lesson?

Getting driving lessons at 16 in Georgia follows a clear path: permit, Joshua’s Law course, behind-the-wheel hours, road test. We guide students through every step at all seven of our Metro Atlanta locations.
Book online through our registration portal, or call us at 770-274-4223. We’re available Monday through Friday 8am–8pm and weekends 8am–6pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 16-year-old take driving lessons without a permit in Georgia?

No. Georgia requires an active Class D instructional permit before any behind-the-wheel training can begin. You can apply for the permit at 15, so most 16-year-olds already have one. Passing the DDS knowledge test is the main step.

How many BTW hours does a 16-year-old need in Georgia?

Joshua’s Law requires 6 BTW hours from a DDS-certified school. Georgia DDS also requires 40 total supervised driving hours – including 6 at night – before you can apply for a Class D license. Professional lesson hours count toward both requirements.

Does 1 ACT offer lessons for complete beginners with zero driving experience?

Yes. Beginners are our most common students. We recommend 12–14 hours for students starting from scratch. Our instructors tailor the pace to your comfort level – there’s no pressure to progress faster than you’re ready for.

Can I get the Joshua’s Law course and driving lessons from 1 ACT in one enrollment?

Yes. We offer the 30-hour Driver’s Education classroom course and behind-the-wheel lessons at all seven of our Metro Atlanta locations. You can enroll in both at the same time – no need to coordinate two different providers.

Where can I take the road test through 1 ACT?

Third-Party Testing (TPT) is available at our Alpharetta and Lawrenceville campuses only. At both locations, the test is conducted in our school’s insured vehicle. No DDS appointment needed and no personal vehicle required.

If I get my permit at 16, when can I realistically get my license?

You’ll need to hold the permit for 12 months, complete the Joshua’s Law requirements, and log 40 supervised hours. Most teens who start at 16 are on track for a Class D license at 17 and a full unrestricted Class C license at 18.