Georgia DDS Practice Test — Super Speeder Law, Hands-Free Act, and Joshua's Law

Georgia's Super Speeder Law (OCGA § 40-6-189) imposes a $200 state surcharge — separate from any court fine — on any driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or faster on any two-lane road, or 85 mph or faster on any road or highway in Georgia. The $200 is paid to the state (not the local court) within 120 days of conviction. If not paid, the driver's license is automatically suspended until the surcharge is paid plus a $50 reinstatement fee. The Super Speeder designation also appears on the driving record.

Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) was created in 2003 when driver licensing functions were separated from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). DDS is a standalone cabinet-level agency that handles all driver licensing, ID cards, and driver testing. There is no Georgia DMV. DDS Customer Service Centers are located throughout the state and at dds.georgia.gov you can schedule appointments, check office locations, and find fee information.

Georgia's Hands-Free Act (OCGA § 40-6-241.2) is far broader than a texting ban. It prohibits holding or supporting a wireless communication device with any part of the body for any purpose — calls, texts, navigation, video, social media, or any app. Even resting a phone on your shoulder during a call is a violation because the body is supporting the device. The law also uses a point-based penalty structure: first offense $50 + 1 point; second $100 + 2 points; third+ $150 + 3 points. A texting-only ban would allow handheld calls — Georgia's law does not.

Joshua's Law (OCGA § 40-5-22.1) requires every first-time driver under age 18 in Georgia to complete a state-approved driver education course before the DDS will issue an Instructional Driving Permit. The course must include at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving. The law was named after Joshua Brown, a Georgia teen killed in a crash. There are no waivers or exceptions — all teens under 18 must complete the course before getting a permit.

OCGA § 40-6-391 contains two types of DUI in Georgia. The per se offense applies when BAC is 0.08% or higher (0.02% for under-21 drivers). The 'less safe' offense applies when the state proves — through officer observations, field sobriety tests, and other evidence — that the driver was so impaired they were less safe to drive, regardless of BAC. A driver below 0.08% who fails field sobriety tests, smells of alcohol, and drives erratically can still be convicted of DUI 'less safe.' No BAC test is needed to charge or convict.

After receiving an Instructional Driving Permit (IDP) at age 15, Georgia teens must hold the permit for a minimum of 12 months and log at least 40 hours of supervised driving — including at least 6 hours at night — before applying for a Class D Provisional License at age 16. The 40 hours must be logged under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. There is no shortcut to the 12-month holding period.

Yes. The Georgia DDS allows online appointment scheduling for knowledge tests and road tests at dds.georgia.gov. Walk-in testing may be available at some locations, but scheduling an appointment is strongly recommended, especially at busy metro Atlanta-area DDS centers like the Conyers Road Decatur office or Duluth locations, which often have long wait times for walk-ins.

During the first year of a Georgia Class D Provisional License, holders under 18 may not drive with more than one non-family passenger under 21 in the vehicle. Family members (siblings, parents, etc.) do not count toward this limit. This restriction is designed to reduce peer distraction during the highest-risk period of new driver licensure. The restriction lifts after 12 months on Class D when the driver is eligible to upgrade to Class C.

Yes. Georgia's universal helmet law (OCGA § 40-6-315) requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a DOT-compliant helmet regardless of age or experience. Eye protection is also required unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield. Georgia is one of approximately 19 states with a universal helmet requirement — there is no age-based exemption for adult riders.

Georgia's Move Over Law (OCGA § 40-6-16) requires drivers to move over one lane on multi-lane roads when passing stationary emergency, law enforcement, tow trucks, or utility vehicles with activated lights. When moving over is not safely possible, drivers must slow to 25 mph below the posted speed limit — a specific threshold written into Georgia law. Georgia expanded the law in 2022 to explicitly include tow trucks with amber lights. Violations carry fines up to $500 and are moving violations.