Joshua’s Law Georgia 2026, Every Requirement, Every Hour, Every Step Explained

What Is Joshua’s Law in Georgia?

Joshua’s Law is the common name for Senate Bill 226, which requires formal driver’s ed training for all Georgia drivers under 18 years old. This required training includes both a driver’s ed knowledge course — which can be taken in a classroom or online — and behind-the-wheel driver training, which can be taken as a parent-taught course or through a state-approved Georgia driving school.

The new statute was codified under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24 in 2007. The Georgia DDS calls the law the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act — or “TADRA” by its acronym.

In plain English — if you are under 18 and want a Georgia driver’s license, Joshua’s Law is what stands between you and that license. There is no skipping it and no shortcuts.

The Story Behind the Law

In 2003, a teen driver named Joshua Brown died after skidding on standing water on the road and hydroplaning into a tree. Joshua’s parents felt that adequate driver’s ed training would have better prepared him to handle this type of driving danger and could have saved his life.

Within one year of their only son’s death, Alan and LuGina Brown organized the Joshua Brown Foundation to ensure that every teen had the opportunity to learn driving skills that could save their lives. In 2005, Senate Bill 226 passed with an overwhelming majority of 87% in the Georgia House and Senate.

The results speak for themselves. Since then, Mr. Brown has helped pass similar laws in 13 other states and three national teen driving bills. Since the law went into effect in 2007, the number of teen fatalities in Georgia has decreased by nearly 60% — calculating to over 180 teenage lives saved every year.

Who Does Joshua’s Law Apply to in 2026?

This law has been in effect for teens under 17 since January 1, 2007. As of July 1, 2021, all 17-year-olds are also required to meet Joshua’s Law mandates.

Joshua’s Law applies to you if:

• You are 16 years old and applying for a Georgia Class D provisional license
• You are 17 years old and applying for a Georgia Class D provisional license
• You are under 18 and have not yet obtained a Georgia driver’s license

If you are 18 or older: You are only required to complete 40 hours of supervised driving — including six hours at night. The 30-hour driver’s ed course requirement does not apply to you. However, completing a course anyway can lower your insurance premiums significantly.

The Core Requirements — What Every Teen Must Complete

Regardless of which completion method you choose, every Georgia teen under 18 must satisfy these three core requirements before applying for a Class D license:

Requirement 1 — Hold Your Learner’s Permit for at Least 1 Year and 1 Day

Regardless of method, all teens must hold their learner’s permit for at least one year and one day before applying for a provisional license. There is one exception — 17-year-olds enrolled in the U.S. military may apply directly for a Class C license without the waiting period.

Requirement 2 — Complete 30 Hours of Driver’s Education Instruction

The most common path is 30 hours of classroom or online instruction through a DDS-certified school. This covers traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, hazard recognition, and the rules of the Georgia road.

Requirement 3 — Complete 40 Hours of Supervised Driving

All teens must complete 40 hours of supervised driving practice, and six of those hours must be at night. This must be completed with a licensed parent, guardian, or driving instructor. A parent or guardian must sign an affidavit confirming these hours were completed.

Related article: How Much Did Afroman Win in His Lawsuit? The Full Story Behind His Victory Over Ohio Police

The Four Official Completion Methods

Georgia gives you four approved ways to satisfy Joshua’s Law. Pick the one that fits your schedule and budget.

Method 1 — Driving School (Most Common)

30 hours of classroom or online instruction through a DDS-certified school, combined with six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor and 40 hours of supervised driving practice — including at least six hours at night.

Best for: Teens who want structured instruction with a certified instructor handling the behind-the-wheel component.

Method 2 — Classroom Instruction + Parent-Taught Driving

Students take 30 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of parent-taught behind-the-wheel training. Parents must follow Georgia’s Parent/Teen Driving Guide.

Best for: Families who want to save money on the behind-the-wheel component by having a parent handle all driving hours.

Method 3 — Online Course + Driving School Behind-the-Wheel

Students may take 30 hours of online driving instruction, six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor, and 40 hours of supervised driving time — with six hours at night — with a parent.

Best for: Teens with busy school or activity schedules who need flexible instruction hours.

Method 4 — Online Course + Parent-Taught Driving

Students can take 30 hours of online instruction and undergo 40 hours of parent-taught training using the Parent/Teen Driving Guide.

Best for: Families who want maximum flexibility in both instruction and behind-the-wheel training — the most affordable option overall.

How Much Does Joshua’s Law Cost?

In-person courses are usually around $250, but online courses may be less expensive. Costs vary by provider and format:

Method	Typical Cost Range
In-person driving school (full package)	$200–$400
Online course only	$30–$100
Behind-the-wheel training (add-on)	$50–$100 per hour
Parent-taught driving	Free — only cost is the Parent/Teen Driving Guide

Many online providers offer Georgia DDS-approved courses at significant discounts compared to in-person schools. Always verify the course is DDS-certified before purchasing.

Class D License Restrictions — What Teen Drivers Cannot Do

Completing Joshua’s Law earns you a Class D provisional license — not a full unrestricted license. There are restrictions in place for Class D license holders:

• First 6 months: Only immediate family members are allowed as passengers
• Months 7–12: One passenger aged 21 or younger permitted — all other passengers must be over 21
• After 12 months: Up to three passengers aged 21 or younger; all others must be over 21
• No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. for any reason
• No mobile phone use while driving — handheld device ban applies to all Georgia drivers under 18

To upgrade from Class D to a full Class C license, you must hold the Class D for one year and one day without a major traffic violation.

Penalties for Violations Under Joshua’s Law

Drivers under age 21 are penalized — via loss of driving privileges — for any major traffic convictions like hit and run, reckless driving, or DUI in Georgia. Their rules for “points” accumulation are more stringent and punitive than for adult drivers.

An offense such as a DUI will result in higher fees and penalties for drivers caught driving while impaired. A DUI conviction as a teen driver in Georgia can result in immediate license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and potential criminal record consequences that follow a young person for years.

Any drug-related conviction also directly impacts Class D license status. For a full breakdown of how Georgia treats drug offenses — including the DUI-adjacent consequences of marijuana possession for teen drivers — see our complete guide to Georgia marijuana laws in 2026.

What Changed in 2026 — New Georgia Driver Updates

Effective January 1, 2026, House Bill 551 overhauled how Georgia dealers issue Temporary Operating Permits — commonly known as paper tags. Under the new law, dealers may issue a TOP valid for up to 45 days from the date of purchase. The expiration can be extended once through the buyer’s county tag agent, for a maximum of 60 days total. The Georgia Department of Revenue is now authorized to launch an electronic TOP system — ending the era of paper tags printed and handed out with little oversight. The digital system creates a real-time record for every temporary tag issued in the state, making fraud and abuse far easier to detect.

Joshua’s Law itself has not changed in 2026 — the core requirements remain the same as updated in July 2021 when 17-year-olds were added. The new paper tag system affects teen drivers who are purchasing their first vehicle while holding a Class D license.

Step-by-Step — How to Get Your Georgia Class D License

Step 1 — Get Your Learner’s Permit Apply at your local Georgia DDS office with proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number. Pass the written knowledge test and vision screening. You must be at least 15 years old.

Step 2 — Hold Your Permit for 1 Year and 1 Day Start the clock. You cannot apply for your Class D license until you have held your permit for at least one year and one day without a major traffic violation.

Step 3 — Choose Your Joshua’s Law Completion Method Pick one of the four approved methods above. Enroll in a DDS-certified course and begin your 30 hours of instruction. Verify your provider at dds.georgia.gov before paying.

Step 4 — Complete 40 Hours of Supervised Driving Log every hour — date, time, duration, and road conditions. At least six of those hours must be at night. Your parent or guardian must sign an affidavit confirming completion.

Step 5 — Complete an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program You must also complete an alcohol and drug awareness program to get a Class D license. This is a separate short course from the main 30-hour driver’s ed requirement.

Step 6 — Schedule and Pass Your Road Skills Test Applicants must pass the road skills test with a minimum score of 75% correct answers. A parent or guardian must be present. Schedule your test at dds.georgia.gov.

Estimated total time from permit to Class D license: 12–18 months

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Joshua’s Law requirements in Georgia in 2026?

 All Georgia teens under 18 must hold a learner’s permit for at least one year and one day, complete 30 hours of DDS-approved driver’s education instruction, and complete 40 hours of supervised driving — including six hours at night. These requirements apply to both 16 and 17-year-old applicants for a Class D provisional license.

Can I complete Joshua’s Law online? 

Yes. Georgia allows the full 30-hour instruction requirement to be completed online through a DDS-certified provider. Online drivers ed combined with parent-taught behind-the-wheel training is one of four approved completion methods under Joshua’s Law. Always verify the course is DDS-certified at dds.georgia.gov before purchasing.

Does Joshua’s Law apply to 17-year-olds?

 Yes — as of July 1, 2021, all 17-year-olds are required to meet Joshua’s Law mandates. Before 2021, 17-year-olds were exempt. Today the same 30-hour instruction and 40-hour supervised driving requirements apply to all teens under 18 seeking a Class D license.

How long does it take to complete Joshua’s Law?

 The minimum timeline is just over one year — because you must hold your learner’s permit for at least one year and one day regardless of how quickly you complete the education and driving hours. Most teens complete the full process in 12 to 18 months from permit to Class D license.

Does a parent need to verify the driving hours?

 No formal submission is required, but your parent must personally attest that you have completed all requirements. A parent or guardian must be present at your road skills test and signs the required affidavit confirming your supervised driving hours were completed.

What happens if a teen driver violates Class D restrictions?

 Drivers under age 21 face loss of driving privileges for any major traffic conviction — including DUI, hit and run, or reckless driving. Minor violations accumulate points on a stricter scale than for adult drivers. Multiple violations can result in license suspension before a teen ever reaches their full Class C license. For Atlanta-specific enforcement context — including how marijuana possession interacts with teen driving privileges — see our detailed breakdown o fweed laws in Atlanta and Georgia.

Is Joshua’s Law the same as TADRA?

 Yes. The Georgia DDS officially calls the law the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act — TADRA — but it is universally known as Joshua’s Law after the teen whose death inspired it. Both names refer to the same statute codified under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24.

Legal Terms Used in This Article

Class D License: Georgia’s provisional driver’s license issued to teens aged 16 and 17 who have met all Joshua’s Law requirements. It carries passenger and curfew restrictions until the driver holds it for one year and one day and upgrades to a full Class C license.

Class C License: Georgia’s standard unrestricted driver’s license. A Class D holder upgrades to Class C after one year and one day without major violations.

DDS (Georgia Department of Driver Services): The state agency responsible for issuing driver’s licenses, permits, and ID cards in Georgia. It certifies all Joshua’s Law education providers and maintains the official list of approved driving schools at dds.georgia.gov.

TADRA (Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act): The official legal name for Joshua’s Law under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24. Requires all Georgia drivers under 18 to complete structured driver education before receiving a Class D license.

Temporary Operating Permit (TOP): A paper or digital tag issued by Georgia car dealers allowing a newly purchased vehicle to be driven legally while permanent registration is processed. Under the January 2026 law change (HB 551), TOPs are now valid for up to 45 days and are transitioning to a digital tracking system.

Learner’s Permit: An instructional permit issued to Georgia teens aged 15 and older allowing supervised driving practice. Must be held for at least one year and one day before a Class D license application can be submitted.

Conclusion

Joshua’s Law exists because one family’s grief became Georgia’s greatest road safety achievement. Since 2007, it has saved an estimated 180 teenage lives every year. If you are a Georgia teen or the parent of one, the requirements are straightforward — 30 hours of instruction, 40 hours of supervised driving including six at night, one year and one day with your permit, and a road skills test. The sooner you start, the sooner your teen gets behind the wheel legally and safely.

For questions about how Georgia traffic laws — including drug and DUI consequences — interact with your teen’s Class D license, visit AllAboutLawyer.com for more Georgia law guides.

Sources & References

• Georgia Department of Driver Services — Joshua’s Law Requirements (official Georgia government source)
• O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24 — Georgia Code, Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (official Georgia statute)
• Georgia Asian Times — New Updates and Laws for New Drivers in Georgia, March 20, 2026 (credible local news source — 2026 HB 551 update)
• Drive Smart Georgia — Joshua’s Law Requirements (Georgia DDS-certified driving school — endorsed by Alan Brown)

Last Updated: March 21, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.