TRANSPORTATION
Getting a Georgia Driver's License
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Georgia recognizes valid driver licenses issued to and held by residents of other counties as long as the
“Out of County” license is valid (not expired).
“If the foreign license is not printed in English, the driver must also have an International Driving Permit
(IDP) or similar translation issued in accordance with the provision of the Convention on Road Traffic,
any similar treaty, international agreement, or reciprocal agreement between the United States and a
foreign nation. Non-US citizens must obtain an IDP from their home country prior to coming to the U.S."
Generally, you may drive in Georgia for up to one year on a valid foreign or International license. However,
if a non-US citizen establishes residency in Georgia, they must obtain a Georgia driver’s license within
thirty (30) days. A non-US citizen would be considered a resident of Georgia if they meet any of the
following criteria:
• If a person accepts employment in Georgia, and enrolls their children in private or public school within
ten days after the commencement of employment; or...
• If a person has been present in the state for 30 or more days.
Do you have a license from another country?
2
If you have a license from another country or U.S. state, you must present your Out of
Country/International license or identification card to receive a Georgia license or identification card.
Out of country licenses/permits/ID cards are returned to non-US citizens with the following exceptions:
commercial licenses and permits.
If you have a license/permit/ID card from another U.S. state, you must surrender the license/permit/ID
card.
Social Security Number Requirements: you must provide either a Social Security Number or a letter of
ineligibility for a Social Security Number (Form SSAL 676)
Social Security Number (SSN): Non-citizens who have permission from the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) to work in the U.S. can apply for a SSN. To apply for a SSN or for further details on social
security numbers for non-citizens visit, please visit www.ssa.gov. If you are eligible for a SSN, apply for
one and wait to get your card. After receiving your card, you may apply for a Georgia Driver’s License.
Collect the documents needed for non-citizens to obtain a
Georgia driver’s license
Letter of Ineligibility: If you are NOT eligible for a SSN, you must obtain a letter of ineligibility, Form
SSAL676, from the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration will give you this
letter if the DHS has not given you permission to work in the U.S. In order to get the letter, you must
complete the application process for a SSN and be rejected for a number by the Social Security
Administration. NEW!To get a denial letter, please call the Social Security Administration and request a
denial letter at 1-866-964-3294.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting a Georgia Drivers License
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Identity & Lawful Presence Requirements: you must present the following original documents.
*only originals are accepted!*
For F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 status: unexpired passport with valid U.S. visa, a valid I-94, AND I-20 (F-1/F-2) or
DS-2019 (J-1/J-2). You may print out your electronic I-94 form from the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection webpage: www.cbp.gov/i94
• If you are on a different type of visa, you will need to visit the DDS website for more information.
Proof of Residency: you must present 3 of the following:
• Utility bill issued within the last sixty (60) days with your current address
• Bank statement issued within the last sixty (60) days with your current address
• Currently valid rental contracts (your lease) and/or receipts for rent payments made within the last
sixty (60) days
• Employer verification, including, but not limited to, one of the following:
- Paycheck or paycheck stub
- Letter from employer on company letterhead stating the applicant’s full name and home address
- W-2 for current or preceding calendar year
Continued...
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1. You must be at least 18 years old.
2. You must pass the Knowledge Exam.
3. You must pass the Road Skills Test.
4. You must pass the Vision Exam (bring your glasses or contacts!)
5. You must present the documents listed above.
NOTE:
To learn more about the knowledge exam, please review the Georgia Driver’s Manual on the DDS
website. The cost of applying for a Regular Non-Commerical Driver’s License (Class C) is $20. Class C is
the type of license you should apply for (there are other types of license types that are paid for drivers,
motorcyclist, etc.).
Please note: You will receive a temporary paper license, and the permanent plastic license will be mailed
to you within 30 days.
Complete the necessary requirements for receiving a
GA driver’s license
Examples of
a Georgia
Driver's License
Old Version
New Version
TRANSPORTATION
Getting a Georgia Drivers License
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The Athens Department of Driver Services is located at 1505 US-29 Athens GA
You should call ahead to make an appointment: 1-866-754-3687 (Select Option 4) or (678) 413-8400
(Select Option 4.)
- The reservation system lines are open from 7:00am until 5:15pm Monday through Friday. Appointments
can be made for any location in the state up to 90 days in advance. Customer Service Centers conduct
testing during most business hours. The last test of the day is scheduled about an hour and a half before
closing to allow time for testing, license issuance, photo and license printing.
- Without a reservation, you will be worked in between scheduled appointments, but there is no guarantee
that you can be served on a particular day.
Making an appointment
Effective January 1, 2008, Georgia law requires DDS to verify all immigration documents presented by
non-citizens through the U.S. Custom and Immigration Service (USCIS) via a program known as SAVE
(Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement.)
In most cases, the SAVE verification can be completed immediately during your application for a driver’s
license. In some cases, verification may take several days or several weeks. Until the documentation is
verified by USCIS, DDS will be unable to issue a driver’s license or identification card. If the SAVE
verification is unsuccessful, the customer will be given a form with further instructions.
Once immigration documentation is verified with USCIS, a Georgia driver’s license or identification card
may be issued with an expiration date that matches the immigration documentation expiration date, up to
5 years. If there is no expiration date on the immigration documentation, a driver’s license/permit/ID card
can be issued for 5 years if the customer is verified through SAVE as a lawful permanent resident (LPR),
asylee or refugee. If the customer has any status other than LPR, asylee or refugee, and there is no
expiration on the immigration documentation, the maximum term available is one year.
A note about lawful presence:
Need more information?
DDS
Website
https://dds.georgia.gov/
Georgia Driver's
Manual
http://www.eregulations.com/
georgia/driver/
Athens Customer
Service Center
1505 US Highway 29 North
Athens, GA 30601
Phone: 706-552-4427
Hours: Tuesday – Friday
8:00am–6:00pm
Saturday – 8:00 am – 12 noon
Closed Monday and Sunday
