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Joshua's Law for Teen Drivers

Senate Bill 226 -- also known as "Joshua's Law" -- requires 16 and 17 years old to complete a comprehensive learning process before getting a driver's license and proof of completion is required before a license will be issued.

If you are 16 years of age, applying for a Class D License or Motorcycle Permit (Class MP) you must complete an approved driver education course with a certified private or public driver training school using one of the following methods. Approved classes are offered online and tend to be more economical. You must also complete each item in the method you choose.

All teens must hold a learner's permit for 1 year and 1 day before being issued a Class D license. A learner’s permit is required for the behind-the-wheel training. A driving log is not required for supervised driving or parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. But, a parent or guardian must be present when applying for the license at DDS. The parent will be required to attest to the teen’s completion of this training.

Method 1

  • 30 hours of classroom instruction
  • Six hours behind the wheel training at the certified school
  • 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian (six hours of the 40 hours must be at night)

Method 2

  • 30 hours of classroom instruction at the certified school
  • 40 hours parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. Use the Parent/Teen Driving Guide (includes 40 hours of supervised driving with parent or guardian)

Method 3

  • 30 hours of online instruction with a certified virtual program
  • Six hours behind the wheel training at a certified school
  • 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian (six hours of the 40 hours must be at night)

Method 4

  • 30 hours of online instruction with a certified virtual program
  • 40 hours of parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. Use the Parent/Teen Driving Guide (includes 40 hours of supervised driving with parent or guardian)

If you are 17 years of age, applying for a Class D License or Motorcycle Permit (Class MP):

  • You must satisfy the same requirements as a 16-year old. Download Joshua's Law Course Chart (printable chart) for more information.
  • You are exempt from holding your permit for one (1) year and one day if you present proof that you are enlisted in the military. You must provide a completed Download this pdf file. Verification of Enrollment in Military Service Form (DS-517) .

Please keep in mind:

  • The DDS-approved driver education courses are offered by various high schools and private driving schools. Prices generally start at around $250. DDS has also approved online virtual programs. Online Virtual programs are lower in cost. For a list of approved schools visit Driver Training Schools.
  • All teens must hold a learner's permit for one year and one day before being issued a Class D license. A learner’s permit is required for the behind-the-wheel training.
  • A driving log is not required for supervised driving or parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. But, a parent or guardian must be present when applying for the license at DDS. The parent will be required to attest to the teen’s completion of this training.

About the Law's Namesake

Joshua Brown was a senior at Cartersville High School preparing to graduate and attend a prestigious music school in Boston. Driving on a rainy July night in 2003 he hit a puddle of water on a two-lane highway and hydroplaned and crashed into a tree. Joshua, who suffered life threatening injuries, battled to stay alive for six days but died eight days after his accident.

Joshua had a passion for football and baseball, but he was also musically talented and had a gift that was about to send him toward his dreams of music. When Josh was a child he told his father that some day his name would be known worldwide. Of course his family was thinking that he was referring to his music, and where it might take him in life, but he made it very clear: "No," he said, "I am going to be really famous."

His parents blame his fatal accident on lack of driver education and experience. After his tragic death, Alan and LuGina Blackmon Brown, Joshua's parents, spent countless hours lobbying the Georgia Legislature to pass a stricter law for obtaining a Georgia driver's license. State Senator Preston Smith introduced Senate Bill 226 which created Joshua's Law and the bill became Georgia law on January 1, 2007, and was amended on July 2, 2021. Joshua's Law requires that all 16 year old drivers take a 40-hour supervised driver's training course.