Georgia Driver Handbook — Plain-English Guide

The road-rules section of the Georgia handbook covers how you share the road safely — speed, right-of-way, signaling, and what to do around emergencies. Twenty of the forty exam questions come from here, and you need at least fifteen right to pass this part.

Key things to know

• •Default speed limits: 30 mph in cities, 35 mph on unpaved county roads, 55 mph on most state roads, 70 mph on rural interstates.
• •Right-of-way at a 4-way stop: first to arrive goes first; if you arrive together, the driver on the right goes first.
• •Always signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
• •Move over one lane (or slow down) when passing stopped emergency, utility, or DOT vehicles with flashing lights.
• •It is illegal to hold a phone while driving in Georgia — hands-free only.
• •Seat belts are required for everyone in the vehicle. Children under 8 need an approved car seat or booster.

The signs section tests whether you can recognize a sign by its shape and color — sometimes before you can read the words. That makes shape and color the fastest way to study.

Shapes

• •Octagon → Stop. Full stop, every time.
• •Triangle (point down) → Yield. Slow, let others go first.
• •Diamond → Warning. Something ahead needs your attention.
• •Pentagon → School zone or school crossing.
• •Round → Railroad crossing ahead.
• •Rectangle (tall) → Regulatory (speed limits, one-way).
• •Rectangle (wide) → Guide (distances, exits).

Colors

• •Red → Stop, yield, or do not do.
• •Yellow → General warning.
• •Orange → Construction or road work.
• •Green → Directions and distances.
• •Blue → Driver services (food, gas, lodging, hospitals).
• •Brown → Parks, recreation, historic sites.
• •White → Regulation (speed limits, lane use).

Georgia uses a Graduated Driver's License (GDL) system. You move from a learner's permit, to a provisional license, to a full Class C license as you gain age and supervised experience.

Class CP — Learner's permit (age 15)

• •Pass the vision screening and the knowledge (written) test — 40 questions, 30 to pass.
• •Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, Georgia residency, and (under 18) a Certificate of Attendance from your school.
• •Must be supervised by a licensed driver age 21+ in the front passenger seat at all times.
• •Hold the permit for at least 12 months and 1 day with no major convictions before testing for a license.

Class D — Provisional license (age 16)

• •Pass the on-the-road driving test.
• •Complete 40 hours of supervised driving (6 of them at night) if under 18.
• •Complete an approved driver-education course OR wait until age 17 (Joshua's Law).
• •Nighttime driving curfew: midnight to 5 a.m. No non-family passengers under 21 for the first 6 months.

Class C — Full license (age 18)

• •No conviction of a major traffic violation in the previous 12 months.
• •All Class D restrictions lift.

Reading is step one. The fastest way to lock it in is short, repeated practice rounds with instant feedback.

• Open the Study Guide — tap any card to listen.
• Road Rules practice — 10 questions, instant feedback.
• Road Signs practice — shapes and colors.
• Full Mock Test — graded, just like the real DDS exam.