Teenagers in Georgia can credit the coronavirus for getting them out of doing a behind-the-wheel test to get their driver’s license.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services posted a notice announcing that Gov. Brian Kemp had temporarily lifted the requirement of a road test for teenage drivers. Any driver between the ages of 16 and 18 will automatically be transitioned from a provisional license to a standard driver’s license when they file to renew.
The automatic transition will only apply to teenage drivers who have had their provisional license for a full year and have no traffic violations on their record. Young drivers must also have a parent approve the registration for a standard license.
At least 30,000 teenagers had their licenses put on hold because of the pandemic. While they will likely be excited to hit the open road, some are less thrilled by the move. Jen Hancock, who has a son who will get his learner’s permit next year, told WTOC that she does not support the decision.
“I think eliminating a driving test puts people at greater risk,” she said, adding, “If we have a stay-at-home order, where do these 16-year-olds need to drive?”
Spencer Moore, the commissioner of the Department of Driver Services, said hundreds of teenagers have already applied to change the status of their license. He explained, “We have already seen, in the last hour, 730 teens upgrade to this provisional license.”
Moore said he was not concerned about the decision because more than 4 out of 5 teenagers pass the road test on their first attempt.
“We see a very high pass rate. We see more than 80% on the first round,” he said.
The cancellation of road tests did not apply universally. Those looking to get a motorcycle license or a CDL license for driving larger machines will still need to take the road test, but the state now requires that they schedule an appointment.
Kemp reopened many of the state’s businesses this week. Some, including President Trump, have criticized the decision to reopen the state so soon.
