What Is Joshua's Law? Georgia Requirements Explained
If you're a teenager in Georgia getting ready for your driver's license, you've probably heard of Joshua's Law. But what exactly is it, who does it apply to, and what do you need to do to meet the requirements?
Joshua's Law is a Georgia law requiring 16- and 17-year-olds to complete an approved driver's education program before obtaining a Class D provisional driver's license.
The requirements include 30 hours of classroom or online instruction, approved behind-the-wheel training, and 40 hours of supervised driving, including six hours at night.
Whether you're a teen eager to get behind the wheel or a parent helping your child prepare, understanding Joshua's Law is an important step toward getting a Georgia driver's license.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Joshua's Law in Georgia?
Joshua's Law is a Georgia driver education law designed to help teenagers become safer, more experienced drivers before earning their first provisional driver's license.
Originally passed in 2005 as Senate Bill 226, the law established additional driver education requirements for young drivers. Beginning July 1, 2021, Georgia expanded the requirements to include 17-year-olds, meaning both 16- and 17-year-olds must now complete approved driver education before receiving a Class D license.
Joshua's Law works alongside Georgia's Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA), which establishes the state's graduated driver's licensing system.
The goal is simple: give young drivers the education, supervised practice, and real-world experience they need before driving independently.
What Are the Requirements for Joshua's Law?
To meet Joshua's Law requirements in Georgia, teens seeking a Class D license at age 16 or 17 must complete an approved combination of driver education and supervised driving.
The main requirements include:
30 hours of driver's education: Complete a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)-approved classroom or online course.
Behind-the-wheel training: Complete six hours with a certified driving instructor or follow the approved parent-taught training option.
40 hours of supervised driving: Practice driving under supervision, including at least six hours at night.
Learner's permit: Hold a valid Georgia learner's permit for at least one year and one day before applying for a Class D license.
Teens must also satisfy other Georgia licensing requirements, including the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) and the road skills test.
How to Complete the Joshua's Law Program:
The requirement for the 30 hour driver’s ed can be supplied either
1) in a classroom setting,
2) a virtual classroom, or
3) online program, providing it is a course approved by the GA DDS.
The 40 hours of supervised driving, with six of those hours driven at night, must be completed by any person who wants to obtain a GA driver’s license. Minor-age drivers must additionally complete six hours of professional instruction if their 40 hours of supervised practice is not structured by using the GA DDS Parent/ Teen Driving Guide.The 30 hours of classroom instruction from a school approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services plus six hours of training behind the wheel does not have to be all from the same school. For example, some students will do the classroom training at their high school or at another private driving school and come to Athens Driving Prep for the six-hour driver training.
It is worth noting that even though the teen driver is not required to submit a driving log for the supervised hours, the teen and the parent OR licensed driving instructor must sign a sworn affidavit in front of the examiner at the time of the road test, attesting to having completed 40 hours of practice with six of those hours being at night.
Parents and teens can review the official Georgia DDS Joshua's Law requirements to choose the appropriate option.
How to Find a Driver Education Program That Fulfills Joshua's Law
Do Some Research
With many options meeting Joshua’s Law requirements, finding the right school can be challenging. While most programs offer similar lessons, their approaches vary. Start by reading reviews and checking their social media and forums for insights on their driving programs.
Check if They Specialize in Teaching Teens
Not all programs are tailored for teen drivers. Athens Driving Prep emphasizes personalized lessons that address individual needs, unlike general classes that might overlook a learner’s specific weaknesses.
Ensure They’re AAA-Approved
The AAA is a leading authority on auto safety. Choosing a school with AAA approval ensures high-quality, monitored instruction that meets strict standards.
Ask About Progress Reports
Not all schools offer detailed feedback. Request to see a sample report to gauge how they track and explain student progress, ensuring you’ll know what skills your child is mastering and where they need improvement.
The Georgia DDS recognizes four methods for completing the required driver education.
For all four methods, the 40 supervised driving hours must include at least six hours of nighttime driving.
Does Joshua's Law Apply to 17-Year-Olds?
Yes. Joshua's Law applies to both 16- and 17-year-olds in Georgia.
Before July 1, 2021, 17-year-olds were not required to complete the same approved driver education course as 16-year-olds.
That changed with House Bill 466.
Today, a 17-year-old applying for a Georgia Class D provisional driver's license must meet the same driver education requirements as a 16-year-old.
This includes completing an approved 30-hour course and the appropriate behind-the-wheel training.
A limited exception exists for certain 17-year-olds enlisted in the military. The Georgia DDS provides specific eligibility requirements for those applicants.
Does Joshua's Law Have a Road Test at the End?
Joshua's Law itself does not have a separate state road test, but teens must pass Georgia's road skills test to receive their Class D driver's license.
There are two different things to understand:
1. The driver's education course
Your 30-hour driver's education program may include quizzes and a final exam. Successfully completing the approved course provides the documentation needed to demonstrate that you've met the classroom education requirement.
2. The Georgia road skills test
After completing the required training and meeting the other licensing requirements, teens must pass a road skills test to receive their provisional license.
The road test evaluates practical driving skills, including vehicle control, safe turns, intersections, parking, and other everyday driving situations.
For students who want extra practice before testing, Athens Driving Prep's Road Test Prep Package can help build confidence and prepare them for the skills they'll need to demonstrate.
Can You Take Joshua's Law Online?
Yes! Georgia allows teens to complete the required 30 hours of driver's education through an approved online course.
Online driver's education can be a convenient option for students balancing school, sports, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities.
However, completing the online course alone does not satisfy every requirement for a Class D license.
Students must still complete the required behind-the-wheel training and supervised driving hours.
Athens Driving Prep offers access to a Georgia DDS-approved online driver's education course through Safe2Drive.
How Many Driving Hours Are Required for Joshua's Law?
Georgia requires teens to complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including six hours at night, before obtaining a Class D provisional driver's license.
These hours give young drivers an opportunity to develop experience in different driving situations.
Some important skills to practice include:
Navigating intersections and traffic signals.
Maintaining safe following distances.
Changing lanes and merging.
Driving on highways and busy roads.
Parallel parking and other parking maneuvers.
Recognizing road hazards.
Driving safely at night.
Responding to changing weather and road conditions.
Parents should gradually introduce more challenging driving environments as their teen's skills and confidence improve.
Do You Need to Keep a Driving Log?
Georgia does not require teens to submit a driving log documenting their 40 supervised driving hours.
However, a parent or guardian must verify that the required training has been completed when the teen applies for a license.
Even though a log isn't mandatory, keeping one can help families track driving time and ensure the six nighttime hours are completed.
Why Was Joshua's Law Created?
Joshua's Law was named in memory of Joshua Brown, a Georgia teenager who died following a car accident in 2003.
His death inspired his family to advocate for stronger driver education requirements and improved safety for young drivers.Their efforts helped lead to the passage of Joshua's Law in 2005.
The legislation aimed to reduce the risks associated with inexperienced teenage drivers by requiring more education and supervised driving experience before licensing.
Today, the law continues to play an important role in Georgia's approach to teen driver safety.
How Much Does Joshua's Law Cost in Georgia?
The cost of completing Joshua's Law depends on the type of driver education program you choose.
Online courses are often less expensive than traditional classroom programs, while professional behind-the-wheel instruction is typically priced separately.
Some families choose an online classroom course combined with professional driving lessons. Others complete the approved parent-taught option.
When comparing programs, make sure you understand which requirements are included in the advertised price.
You can also check whether your teen qualifies for financial assistance through the Georgia Driver's Education Grant Scholarship Program.
What Happens If You Don't Complete Joshua's Law?
If you're 16 or 17 and haven't completed the required driver education, you generally cannot obtain a Georgia Class D provisional driver's license.
You can continue working toward the requirements while holding your learner's permit.
Once you turn 18, the Class D driver education requirement no longer applies to an application for a regular Class C license. However, other licensing requirements, including applicable testing and supervised driving requirements, still apply.
Rather than waiting, completing Joshua's Law can help young drivers gain experience and become eligible for independent driving sooner.
What Are the Driving Restrictions After Completing Joshua's Law?
Completing Joshua's Law is an important step, but receiving a Class D provisional license doesn't mean teens immediately have unrestricted driving privileges.
Georgia has specific rules for drivers with a Class D license.
Nighttime driving restrictions
Class D drivers cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m., with no exceptions.
Passenger restrictions
First six months: Only immediate family members may ride as passengers.
Second six months: No more than one passenger under age 21 who is not an immediate family member.
After the first year: No more than three passengers under age 21 who are not immediate family members.
These restrictions help young drivers gradually develop experience while reducing common distractions.
How to Choose a Driver's Education Program in Georgia
Choosing the right program is about more than checking a box for Joshua's Law.
A good driver's education experience should help teens develop safe habits and feel more confident behind the wheel.
Before enrolling, consider the following:
Make Sure the Course Is Georgia DDS-Approved
Not every online driving course or driving school qualifies for Joshua's Law. Verify that the program is approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services before registering.
Look for Experience Teaching Teen Drivers
Teen drivers have different needs than adults who already have driving experience. Look for instructors who are patient, encouraging, and experienced in helping new drivers develop fundamental skills.
Consider Professional Behind-the-Wheel Lessons
Even when families choose the parent-taught option, professional driving lessons can provide additional instruction and feedback.
An experienced instructor can help identify habits that need improvement and introduce skills that parents may not feel comfortable teaching themselves.
Prepare for the Road Test
As the road test approaches, students should feel comfortable with parking, turning, lane positioning, traffic signals, and other essential driving skills.
Additional practice can help students feel better prepared when test day arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua's Law
What is Joshua's Law in simple terms?
Joshua's Law is a Georgia law requiring 16- and 17-year-olds to complete approved driver's education and supervised driving before obtaining a Class D provisional driver's license.
Is Joshua's Law required in Georgia?
Yes. Joshua's Law is mandatory for most 16- and 17-year-olds applying for a Georgia Class D driver's license.
Do you have to take Joshua's Law at 18?
No. The approved driver education course required under Joshua's Law for a Class D license does not apply once you are 18 and applying for a regular Class C license. Other licensing requirements still apply.
Can parents teach Joshua's Law driving hours?
Yes. Georgia offers an approved parent-taught behind-the-wheel option using the DDS Parent/Teen Driving Guide. Students must still complete the approved 30-hour classroom or online course.
Do you have to take six hours of professional driving lessons?
Not necessarily. Students can complete six hours of professional behind-the-wheel training or use the approved parent-taught training method, depending on the option they choose.
Can you complete Joshua's Law before turning 16?
Yes. Teens can begin working toward their driver's education and supervised driving requirements after obtaining their learner's permit at age 15.
How long do you have to hold your learner's permit in Georgia?
Generally, teens must hold their learner's permit for at least one year and one day before receiving a Class D provisional driver's license.
Does Joshua's Law help lower car insurance costs?
It may. Some insurance companies offer discounts to young drivers who complete approved driver's education programs. Contact your insurance provider to learn whether a discount is available.
Is Joshua's Law the same as a driver's license?
No. Joshua's Law establishes driver education requirements. Completing those requirements does not automatically grant a license. Students must also meet Georgia's other licensing requirements and pass the required road skills test.
Need Help Completing Joshua's Law in Athens, GA?
Understanding Joshua's Law is one thing. Feeling confident behind the wheel is another.
At Athens Driving Prep, we help new drivers develop the skills, experience, and confidence they need to become safer drivers. Whether you're completing Joshua's Law requirements, preparing for your road test, or simply looking for additional driving practice, our instructors provide personalized behind-the-wheel training tailored to your needs.
We serve students in Athens, Watkinsville, Bogart, Bishop, and surrounding Northeast Georgia communities.
We also provide access to a Georgia DDS-approved online driver's education course through Safe2Drive.
Ready to get started?
For the latest official requirements, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services Joshua's Law page.
