COVID-19: Changes to the Georgia Driving Test
As of June 5, Georgia has more than 50,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The sweeping epidemic has affected most businesses and plenty of public sector offices, too. The Department of Driver Services (DDS) hasn’t been exempt — and their changes apply to the Georgia driving test, as well.
Here’s what the Governor decided and how it’ll affect you.
Will There Be a Georgia Driving Test During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The Governor signed an executive order that came into effect May 12, 2020, regarding the Georgia road test.
Those who need to take their driving test will have to first fill out online forms before scheduling your appointment in advance. There will only be a limited number of slots available each day.
After that, you can attend your modified Georgia DDS road test at the scheduled time. These will take place at DDS Customer Service Centers across the state.
his updated law applies to anyone who received a license during the closure of the DDS due to COVID-19. During that time, more than 20,000 drivers got their licenses without passing a road test.
However, the Governor has said that all of these people will have to return to the DDS to pass the modified driving test to keep their licenses. They have until September 30, 2020, to pass the driving test and maintain their newly issued licenses.
As far as the modified test will go, proctors will watch drivers remotely and in the vehicle. Again, anyone who needs a Georgia driver’s license road test will have to make an appointment to take the updated exam.
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Can Anyone Take a Georgia Driving Test Right Now?
The Governor has been very clear about who can take the Georgia road test — and sign up for other DDS services — during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For starters, appointments are now available for non-commercial road tests, as explained previously.
On top of that, commercial drivers can make appointments for a litany of services, including their Georgia driving test appointment. The state considers commercial drivers to be essential workers during the pandemic, so they get full access to the state’s DDS services. Fleet driver safety is vital to their success, after all.
Georgia has also opened up appointments to first responders who will undoubtedly need their license and driving credentials to be current during this healthcare crisis. So, EMTs, police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses and other frontline employees can visit the DDS, too.
Those who have recently moved to Georgia and do not have state ID can schedule an appointment to visit the DDS. Finally, the state has said that business owners who can’t work online can come in, as well.
What Other Services Are Available, Aside From Limited Georgia Driving Tests?
The DDS doesn’t just oversee Georgia driver’s license road tests. You may need to visit for another purpose — and there are a few other services available.
Teens can sit for their road knowledge tests, and motorcyclists can take their skills exam, too. Brushing up on safe-driving skills before any of these tests — or just while you’re on a break from the road — can help you get behind the wheel with confidence.
On top of that, Georgia DDS has limited license renewal services available. Again, those deemed essential can come in for license-related services. This group includes:
- Commercial drivers, who will have to make appointments at a CDL center
- Frontline workers, including police officers, medical professionals, EMTs and more
- First-time Georgia residents
- Georgia drivers who can’t conduct business online amid the COVID-19 closures
Everyone else can log onto the Georgia DDS’s online portal or their app, DDS 2 GO. There, they can complete any license-related paperwork during this socially isolated time.
My Vehicle Registration is Set to Expire. What Should I Do?
The Georgia DDS doesn’t handle vehicle registrations — that responsibility belongs to the state’s Department of Revenue.
Unlike the DDS, the Department of Revenue has yet to re-open for any of its in-person services. As such, the deadline to renew your vehicle registration has been extended.
Specifically, if your car’s registration expires between March 16, 2020, and June 14, 2020, you have a new deadline to renew. The state has pushed your registration’s expiration date to June 15, 2020.
Georgia has also suspended emissions testing, which goes hand in hand with vehicle registration. So, no need to worry about that task until these centers re-open.
When Will Georgia DDS Fully Re-open?
Even if you can take your Georgia driving test during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may still be curious as to when the entire DDS will resume all of its standard services.
Your best bet is to keep tabs on any updates to the DDS’s website, particularly under the COVID-19 section of the website. Here, they reiterate all of the above, as well as their goal of keeping employees safe during the pandemic.
With that mission in mind, it’s hard to guess when they will resume services as usual. For now, though, there are limited appointments available to keep both staffers and customers safe and socially distanced.
And, if you’re a commercial driver or essential worker, you can visit the DDS for a full slate of services, so long as you make an appointment first.
What Can I Do in the Meantime?
As you wait to take your Georgia driving test, you might consider taking an online safe-driving course for your state. Our online traffic school has one- and six-hour courses to suit your schedule. You can reduce your insurance costs and deduct points on your license by attending, too.
Ready to get started? Click here to learn more about the Georgia-specific course we offer.
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Patrick M. is Editorial Director for the always expanding DriveSafe Online library of courses. With over two decades of experience developing award-winning training, he now focuses on innovating online driver safety training. Pulling from his background in journalism, he steers the wheel behind the creation of top-tier content that promotes a better journey—whether on the digital highway of learning or the real roads we travel every day.