The following information is being provided to help clarify the new law affecting any student who will be 16 years old in 2007 and who chooses to apply for a Class-D Driver’s License.        

What is “Joshua's Law”? Senate Bill 226 also known as "Joshua's Law”  was passed during the 2005 General Assembly.   

Beginning January 1, 2007, all 16 year-olds applying for a Class D driver's license must complete an approved driver education course  AND complete a total of 40 hours of  supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night, with a parent or guardian's sworn verification that these driving requirements have been met. Any Georgia resident who has not completed an approved driver education course must be at least 17 years old to be eligible for a Class D driver's license. He or she must have completed a total of at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least 6 hours at night. The same verification in writing by a parent or guardian is required. 

With the passage of SB 226 (Joshua's Law) by the 2005 Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Driver Education Commission was created. 

The Commission has been meeting on a regular basis to review various methods of driver training for a comprehensive accessible, affordable and effective method of driver education available for students throughout the state.   Some of the potential methods of driver education the Commission has reviewed in addition to the current 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours of behind the wheel training offered at private and public schools are public/private partnerships such as:

·         Public school (30 hours) classroom (virtual or instructor) and (6 hours) private behind the wheel training (students will also need an additional 40 hours of supervised driving)
·         Public school (30 hours) classroom (virtual or instructor) and parent taught behind the wheel (The parent taught is a 40 hour comprehensive driving course)
·         Virtual (30 hours) classroom and (6 hours) private behind the wheel training (students will also need an additional 40 hours of supervised driving)
·         Virtual (30 hours) classroom and (40 hour) parent taught behind the wheel (The parent taught is a 40 hour comprehensive driving course)
·         The 40 hours  must include 6 hours of supervised driving at night.  The traditional driver training courses approved by the Department of Driver Services are currently offered by various high schools and private driving schools; the prices generally start around $250.  DDS is currently reviewing virtual on line programs with an estimated cost of approximately $30.00 - $40.00.  

More information will be available on the DDS website after October 1, 2006.Students do not need a learner's permit for the classroom course or the virtual program; however, they will need a learner's permit for 1 year and 1 day prior to being issued a Class D license.  A learner’s permit is required for the behind the wheel driving.  Students can complete their supervised driving hours concurrent to taking a driver’s education class provided that they have a learner's permit. 

For further information visit the Department of Driver Services website at www.dds.ga.gov.