Georgia driving laws
The rules your permit test asks about, in plain English. Each one is quoted from Georgia’s statutes or an official DDS page. Handbooks are often years out of date, so where the law has changed we follow the law.
Checked October 5, 2026.
The short version
- Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
- In Georgia, drivers 21 and over are DUI at a BAC of 0.08, drivers under 21 at 0.02, and commercial drivers at 0.04.
- Seat belts and child seats
- Everyone in the front seat must wear a seat belt, and every passenger under 18 must be belted in any seat.
- Move Over law
- If an emergency, sanitation or utility service vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with flashing lights or traffic cones, move over to the next lane if you safely can.
Phones and texting
Georgia's Hands-Free law bars every driver, of any age or license type, from holding or supporting a phone or other wireless device while driving, and from writing, sending or reading texts, emails or internet data or watching or recording video. Calls are allowed only hands-free (earpiece, mount or Bluetooth).
Official wording (4 sources)
“requires drivers (any age, any license type) to refrain from physically holding or supporting a wireless telecommunications device for any reason while operating a vehicle.”
dds.georgia.gov“drivers are also prohibited from writing, sending, or reading any text-based communication and watching, recording, or broadcasting videos on a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle.”
dds.georgia.gov“Penalties 1st conviction — 1 point and fine not more than $50.00 2nd conviction — 2 points and fine not more than $100.00 3rd or more convictions — 3 points and fine not more than $150.00”
dds.georgia.gov“Said title is further amended by repealing in its entirety Code Section 40-6-241.1, relating”
legis.ga.gov
Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
In Georgia, drivers 21 and over are DUI at a BAC of 0.08, drivers under 21 at 0.02, and commercial drivers at 0.04. Refusing the state's chemical test suspends your license for at least one year. A first DUI brings 24 hours to 12 months in jail, a $300-$1,000 fine, at least 40 hours of community service and a license suspension.
Official wording (7 sources)
“A person 21 or more years of age is considered "Under the Influence of Alcohol" when 0.08 gm or more by alcohol weight is present in the blood;”
dds.georgia.gov“A person under 21 years of age is irrefutably considered "Under the Influence of Alcohol" when 0.02 gm or more by alcohol weight is present in the blood;”
dds.georgia.gov“It is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04% or more.”
dds.georgia.gov“If you refuse this testing, your Georgia driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum period of 1 year for each refusal.”
dds.georgia.gov“First Offense Possible jail time up to one year, but not less than 24 hours Fine of $300 minimum, up to $1,000 License suspension of up to one year 40 hours of community service, minimum mandatory”
dds.georgia.gov“If your BAC was .02 or greater but less than .08, your license will be suspended for a minimum period of 6 months.”
dds.georgia.gov“(1) Bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident, not less than $50,000.00;”
legis.ga.gov
Seat belts and child seats
Everyone in the front seat must wear a seat belt, and every passenger under 18 must be belted in any seat. Georgia's belt law is primary. Children under 8 must ride in a car seat or booster appropriate for their height and weight, in the rear seat.
Official wording (4 sources)
“each occupant in the front seat of a passenger vehicle traveling on Georgia roads and highways must be secured by a seat safety belt (lap and shoulder).”
dds.georgia.gov“All occupants of any passenger vehicle must utilize a seat safety belt if they are under the age of 18.”
dds.georgia.gov“Georgia has a "primary" safety belt law, meaning that officers may stop and cite violators without observing another violation.”
dds.georgia.gov“requires children under 8 years of age be properly secured in an approved car seat or booster seat while riding in passenger automobiles, vans, and pickup trucks. The car seat or booster seat must be in the rear seat”
dds.georgia.gov
Move Over law
If an emergency, sanitation or utility service vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with flashing lights or traffic cones, move over to the next lane if you safely can. If you cannot, slow down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop. Breaking the move-over rule for a stopped emergency vehicle can mean a fine of up to $500.
Official wording (6 sources)
“Move over to the next lane if safely possible.”
dds.georgia.gov“If unable to move over, then slow down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop. This law applies to any emergency, sanitation, or utility service vehicle parked on the shoulder of the roadway.”
dds.georgia.gov“The Move Over fine in Georgia can be up to $500.”
gahighwaysafety.org“Vehicles included in the law include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), utility vehicles, DOT vehicles, HERO Units and wreckers tending to an accident.”
gahighwaysafety.org“the "Spencer Pass Law," by revising subsections (c) and (d) and by adding a new subsection”
legis.ga.gov“(2) Violation of subsection (c) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not”
legis.ga.gov
School buses
When a school bus stops with red lights flashing and its stop arm out, traffic in both directions must stop and stay stopped until the bus moves or turns off its signals and the children have cleared the road. On a highway divided by a median, only traffic going the same direction as the bus must stop.
Official wording (5 sources)
“Once the flashing lights have turned red and the stop signs have extended from the side of the bus, it is unlawful for any vehicle to pass the stopped school bus while it is loading or unloading passengers.”
dds.georgia.gov“On a highway divided by a median, cars traveling on the opposite side from the stopped school bus are not required to stop”
dds.georgia.gov“After stopping, you must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or deactivates its warning signals AND all loading or unloading passengers have cleared the roadway.”
dds.georgia.gov“Mandatory court appearance; Up to $1000 fine; Up to 6 points on driving record;”
dds.georgia.gov“40-6-163 Unlawful Passing of School Bus 6 points”
dds.georgia.gov
Speed limits
Unless posted otherwise, Georgia's limits are 30 mph in urban or residential districts, 35 mph on unpaved county roads, 70 mph on rural interstates, 65 mph on urban interstates and multi-lane divided highways, and 55 mph elsewhere. School zones are posted. 'Super Speeders' (75+ mph on a two-lane road or 85+ anywhere) pay an extra $200 state fee.
Official wording (2 sources)
“30 miles per hour in any urban or residential district; 35 miles per hour on an unpaved county road; 70 miles per hour on a rural interstate; 65 miles per hour on an urban interstate or on a multi-lane divided highway; 55 miles per hour in all other are”
dds.georgia.gov“Any driver convicted of speeding 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or 85 miles per hour or more on any road in Georgia, will be assessed a $200 state fee.”
dds.georgia.gov
After a crash
After a crash, stop and immediately notify the nearest law enforcement agency if anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $500. Give your name, address, plate and license number to others involved, and help anyone injured.
Official wording (2 sources)
“Notify the nearest law enforcement agency immediately if anyone is injured or killed, or if property damage exceeds $500.00;”
dds.georgia.gov“Give your name, address, license plate number, and driver's license number to anyone else who was involved in the crash.”
dds.georgia.gov
Insurance
Georgia requires liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). Since 2025, a driver convicted of DUI at 0.08 or above must carry at least 50/100/50 for three years, and more after a second conviction.
Official wording (3 sources)
“Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident Property Damage Liability – $25,000 per incident”
oci.georgia.gov“(1) Bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident, not less than $50,000.00;”
legis.ga.gov“(b) No individual who is convicted of a second or subsequent offense of driving under the”
legis.ga.gov
Motorcycle helmets
Georgia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a DOT-compliant helmet. Eye protection is required when the motorcycle has no windshield, and the DDS manual says a windshield is no substitute for a face shield.
Official wording (6 sources)
“The state of Georgia also requires all motorcycle operators and riders to wear a helmet.”
gahighwaysafety.org“Georgia requires a DOT compliant helmet.”
dds.georgia.gov“Eye protection is required in Georgia.”
dds.georgia.gov“The purpose of this regulation is to establish the type of eye-protective device which complies with O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315 when a motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield.”
rules.sos.ga.gov“Windshields will not protect your eyes from the wind and debris; neither will eyeglasses or sunglasses. A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield.”
dds.georgia.gov“Must wear protective headgear (U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant motorcycle helmet).”
dds.georgia.gov
Motorcycle permit rules
A Georgia Class MP motorcycle instructional permit is available at 16 (with Joshua's Law driver education for 16- and 17-year-olds). It is valid for 6 months and can be renewed only once. You may ride only in daylight, with no passengers and not on limited-access roads such as interstates. No rider course is required for the permit; a GMSP course can instead waive the license tests.
Official wording (5 sources)
“Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.”
dds.georgia.gov“A Class M Instructional Permit (MP) is valid for 6 months.”
dds.georgia.gov“Motorcycle Permits (MP) are eligible for only ONE renewal”
dds.georgia.gov“Restrictions Motorcycle operation in daylight hours only. No passengers allowed No limited access roadways. Safety equipment as prescribed by law.”
dds.georgia.gov“If you are 17 years of age, applying for a Class D License or Motorcycle Permit (Class MP), on or after July 1, 2021: You must satisfy the same requirements as a 16-year old.”
dds.georgia.gov
Lane splitting
Lane splitting is illegal in Georgia: a motorcycle may not ride between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles, and no more than two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane.
Official wording (5 sources)
“UNSAFE OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLE --- motorcycle driving between lanes UNSAFE OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLE --- more than 2 motorcycles abreast in a lane”
online.dds.ga.gov“Only those offenses listed below will be processed onto driver records.”
online.dds.ga.gov“Lanes, More than Two Abreast in Single Lane Lanes, Operating Between Lanes, Passing in Same Lane as Vehicle Seating Requirements for Riders”
dps.georgia.gov“Do not ride between rows of stopped or moving motor vehicles.”
dds.georgia.gov“Vehicles and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely. Do not share lanes with other vehicles.”
dds.georgia.gov
This page summarizes the law for study purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with Georgia Department of Driver Services.