IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to changes in state law and with impending implementation of some provisions of the Real ID Act, international students and scholars wishing to apply for or renew a Georgia Driver’s License should expect delays in its issuance. Georgia now requires that all non-U.S. citizens have their legal status verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program before a driver’s license will be issued. Click for more details.

Getting a driver's license

You are required to have a valid driver's license to drive in the United States.

If you are a full-time student, you can use any country's or state's license to drive in Georgia without having to get a Georgia driver's license.
If you are a scholar on a J-1 visa, you can use your international driver's license or home country license for up to one year without having to obtain a Georgia driver's license.

However, most people find it to their advantage to obtain a Georgia driver's license, because it also serves as an identification document when writing checks to pay for groceries or other goods.

Georgia law requires that all other new residents obtain a Georgia driver's licenses within 30 days of arrival.

All other licenses must be surrendered prior to issuance of a Georgia license and proper identification will be required.

If you surrender a foreign or expired out-of-state license, or if you are under the age of 18, you must successfully pass a vision test, a written test on Georgia traffic laws and traffic signals, and a driving test. You must go in person to take the tests. The written test is given in English and in several other languages (you can call and ask if the test is given in your native language - see the phone numbers below). To learn the laws, you can obtain the free driver's manual at the Georgia driver's license offices or at Georgia State Patrol posts. The Driver's Manual is available online: www.dds.ga.gov/FormsandManuals/index.aspx.

Persons 18 or older who surrender a valid license from another state of the United States will be required to successfully pass an eye examination.

You may have to call ahead to make an appointment (678-413-8500, option 3). The reservation system lines are open from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made statewide up to 90 days in advance. Exam stations are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am until 5:00pm. Some offices run on a walk-in basis. The practical driving test is not given in rainy or inclement weather, and you must bring an insured car in good working condition to take the test (the driver's license office will not furnish a car to use).

IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW SOFTWARE DATABASE called “SAVE” at the Department of Driver Services, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, all J1 and F1 students applying for Driver’s Licenses will not receive their Driver’s License at time of application and will be asked to return to the Department of Driver Services location where they applied initially. The process will take 5 days for the system to verify information indicating a student’s legal status. Foreign Nationals should receive a valid Driver’s License based on the end dates of I20, DS2019, I-797 approval notices, EAD cards, or Permanent Resident cards, or other documentation presented at time of application indicating end date validity of respective status.

It is possible, that if a student’s status cannot be verified through the 5 day , second level processing, that the application will be sent to third-level verification processing which will take at least 30 days.

Be aware that the entire process requires patience and time. It can take all day to do the written test and the driving test, most of which is spent waiting in line. So it is highly recommended that you arrive EARLY.

To apply for a license, you must present

Your passport
Your DS-2019 form or I-20 form
Your I-94 card
Your Social Security card/number - Beginning January 1, 2003, no person may be issued a Georgia Driver's License or identification card without providing a social security number at the time of issuance. It is not necessary to have your original social security card. However, penalties will occur if an incorrect social security number is given. For those in the country legally but without a social security number, you need to obtain Form SSAL676 from the local Social Security Administration Office before visiting the DDS customer service center to apply for your license. You must also take your passport or valid I-94 card, proof of Georgia residency and must surrender a foreign driver's license (if applicable).
Proof of local residence (such as a signed lease agreement, a utility bill with your name and local address on it, or a bank statement - if you live on campus, you may obtain proof of local residence through a letter from RESIDENCE LIFE located in Alabama Hall. Students living on the Clairmont Campus should go to the Clairmont Housing Office). You will be asked to sign a form that states that you are living in Georgia as a "permanent resident"; this simply means that you are living full time in the state and that you are not just a tourist here in Georgia.
Your international driver's license or one issued by your home country (if you have one)
$20.00 cash
You also must surrender your previous driver's license before a Georgia driver's license is issued to you.

Please refer to the website section "Drivers from Other Nations" for more specific details.

When you pass the test, your photograph will be taken and you will receive a temporary license; your permanent driver's license with your photo on it will be mailed to you later.

The address of the closest office, located in South Dekalb Mall, is 2801 Candler Road, Suite 82, Decatur, Ga. 30034. From Emory: Take N. Decatur Rd. towards the CVS from the main campus. Turn left onto Briarcliff Rd. Briarcliff Rd. becomes Moreland Avenue when you cross Ponce de Leon Avenue. Continue on Moreland Avenue until your merge onto I-20 E/GA-402 E via the ramp- on the left. Take the GA-155/CANDLER RD exit- exit number 65- toward DECATUR. Turn RIGHT onto CANDLER RD/GA-155, until you reach South Dekalb Mall. Bus route #15 will take you to South Dekalb Mall. Hours of Operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Tuesday - Saturday. Telephone number: 678-413-8400.

If you want more information about driver's licenses, you can contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8650 or www.dds.ga.gov/index.aspx. It is recommended that you visit the DDS website for the most current information.