Pass your license in Atlanta
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Pass your license in Atlanta

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What to do and know absolutely to have the right to be behind the wheel.

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With an average of 700 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, Americans occupy a significant place in the international ranking of car owners. Here is some information on how to be allowed to drive in Georgia.

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Driving license in the United States

If you decide to go to United States with your French driving license, it will only be valid for the first three months of your stay.

Apply for a international permit is a good alternative, in particular, since it is easy to obtain, you will only need to provide identity documents before your departure:

  • the national permit,
  • proof of identity,
  • two recent and identical photographs,
  • and sometimes proof of address.

This is valid for one year, but only if you are just passing through. For residents, it is only valid for the first three months of your stay.

So if you decide to settle for a longer period in the United States, no choice, you will have to take the American driver’s license, knowing that each state has its own rules and criteria for obtaining it. Except in certain states which exchange your French license (reciprocity agreement with France):

  • Arkansas (limited to B permits)
  • Caroline from the south
  • Colorado (limited to B permits)
  • Connecticut (limited to A and B permits)
  • Delaware (limited to B licenses)
  • Florida (limited to A and B permits)
  • Illinois
  • Iowa (limited to B permits)
  • Maryland
  • New Hampshire
  • Ohio (limited to B permits)
  • Pennsylvania (limited to A and B permits)
  • Texas (limited to B permits)
  • Virginia (limited to B permits)
  • Wisconsin

Pass your Georgian license

The Georgian license is issued to you by the DDS (Georgia Department of Driver Services).

Each candidate will have to gather documents proving his identity and his legitimacy on American soil:

  • French passport with visa
  • american social security card
  • two proofs of residence in your name and address
  • the French driving license (be careful, the latter can be kept in exchange for the american license).

L’license review then takes place in 3 stages, and it will cost you around 50$ to pass them.

  1. Initially you can take a vision test to prove that you are not going out on the road without seeing a thing – that would be a hassle. The minimum accepted vision is 20/60, with or without corrective lenses.
  2. Then the candidates must pass a theoretical exam on computer in one of the Customer Service Center from the city. It consists of questions on driver liability and knowledge of the laws and practices of driving in georgia, you can play it in the language you want. There is also a sign and sign recognition test, only in English. You must score a minimum of 15/20 on each test.
  3. Finally you will have to pass a driving test for which you can use your own car, or that of a friend – be careful, in both cases, it must be insured. The examiner will ask you to operate the basic controls and assess your ability to drive and to park. If you get a score of 75% or more, you handily get your driver’s license. Congratulations!

Be careful, Americans do not drive like the French and the authorities can be more… sensitive. So follow these tips to be on the safe ride.

  • If a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its flashing lights on, pull over to the side. Do not go out of the car and wait for the agent’s instructions. Do not bend down especially to take your papers in the glove box.
  • If you hear a priority vehicle siren (fire brigade, police, etc.) approaching you, you must immediately stop your vehicle to allow passage. You risk slowing down quite often because firefighters intervene very often (accidents, cats stuck in trees, injuries of all kinds).
  • Unless otherwise specified, it is authorized to turn right at the low beam even when the signal is red. However, you must (1) pause at the pedestrian crossing (2) be very careful since obviously you will not have priority.
  • Do not park next to a red or yellow sidewalk. They are reserved respectively for the police and firefighters, and commercial vehicles for deliveries.
  • Traffic lights, unlike in France, are not located at the edge of the intersection but on the other side of the road. Be careful not to stop in the middle of the crossroads. The american cars which are likely to collide with you are often tanks disguised as family. It can hurt.
  • At four-stop intersections, common in residential areas, follow the rule: First come – First leave. However, the rule does not prevent prudence.
  • Americans are generally not aggressive behind the wheel. It’s good news. The bad thing is, when driving, they phone, they drink (especially coffee), they send SMS, and even keep Bichon on their knees… So keep your eyes open, and the good.

Practical information

Georgia DDS website