Georgia governor says new drivers will be able to take to the road with just a note from their parents
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Georgia has issued a new executive order that allows teenagers to get their driver’s license without passing a road test – all they need is permission from their parents.
Typically Georgians need to pass a written and road test to obtain a driver’s license.
But as Department of Driving Services employees can’t conduct road tests due to coronavirus lockdowns, Gov. Brian Kemp is loosening restrictions to allow new drivers behind the wheel.
Under the order announced this week, 16-year-old teens who hold learner’s permits can upgrade to a provisional license if they can provide an affidavit from their parent, guardian or driving instructor after completing 40 hours of supervised driving.
Permit holders who are over the age of 18 can sign their own affidavit.
'During these unprecedented times, the Department of Driver Services is trying to make it as easy as a process for people to get their license and to lessen the burden on people right now,' Stormi Kenney, who owns Kennesaw Driving School said to Fox.
However, many Georgians are hesitant to let their kids get their driving licenses without a proper road test.
'I think it would be beneficial to have an unbiased set of eyes on my driver I think I might be quick to let her get her license not knowing if she knows all the laws,' one parent said on their teenage daughter.
'I'm good with them dropping the road test piece so she can get out there and drive,' another parent on board with Kemp's measure said.
Commissioner of the state’s Department of Driver Services Spencer Moore said that the agency has a backlog of 30,000 applicants. On average the department has 5,000 teens taking the driving test a week.
Due to lockdowns, Georgia’s streets have been eerily empty and devoid of its usual traffic.
Data from the Georgia Department of Transportation shows that the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents and number of cars on the road is lower this spring than it was this time last year.
In March 2019, 143 people in Georgia were killed in car accidents on interstates. Numbers for March 2020 show that the figure was 12.6 percent lower with 125 deaths, as per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Vehicle volume on Georgia interstates also dropped by 44 percent from March 11, 2020 – the day the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic – compared to the same day last year.
Non-interstate roads saw 45 percent less traffic in March 2020 than last year.
However, police are noting an increase in speeding tickets as reckless drivers speed up on the empty highways.
Sandy Springs police ticketed more than 60 drivers for exceeding 100mph on GA Interstate 400 or Interstate 285, where the speed limit is 65mph, over the past month as per Fox5.
Georgia’s state of emergency measures are slated to expire on May 13, but could be extended.
Georgia is one of the first states to reopen their economy despite warnings from government health officials that it’s too early to do so in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kemp’s executive order started to open businesses such as gyms, bowling alleys, hair salons and tattoo parlors on April 24.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued an executive order dropping the road test requirement for new drivers due to coronavirus lockdowns
- The measure comes as instructors are unable to conduct road tests due to social distancing measures that mandate people stay six feet apart
- Teens with learner's permits can upgrade to license with parental permission
- Licenses will be issued if new drivers meet requirements including 40 hours of supervised driving
- Department of Driver Services says they have a backlog of 30,000 applicants
- Georgia officials plan to reopen the state on May 13
Georgia governor drops road test requirement for new driver's licenses
Georgia has issued a new executive order that allows new drivers to get their licenses without a road test. Sixteen-year-olds with learner's permits can get their license with an 'okay' from their parents.
Georgia has issued a new executive order that allows teenagers to get their driver’s license without passing a road test – all they need is permission from their parents.
Typically Georgians need to pass a written and road test to obtain a driver’s license.
But as Department of Driving Services employees can’t conduct road tests due to coronavirus lockdowns, Gov. Brian Kemp is loosening restrictions to allow new drivers behind the wheel.
Under the order announced this week, 16-year-old teens who hold learner’s permits can upgrade to a provisional license if they can provide an affidavit from their parent, guardian or driving instructor after completing 40 hours of supervised driving.
Permit holders who are over the age of 18 can sign their own affidavit.
'During these unprecedented times, the Department of Driver Services is trying to make it as easy as a process for people to get their license and to lessen the burden on people right now,' Stormi Kenney, who owns Kennesaw Driving School said to Fox.
However, many Georgians are hesitant to let their kids get their driving licenses without a proper road test.
'I think it would be beneficial to have an unbiased set of eyes on my driver I think I might be quick to let her get her license not knowing if she knows all the laws,' one parent said on their teenage daughter.
'I'm good with them dropping the road test piece so she can get out there and drive,' another parent on board with Kemp's measure said.
Commissioner of the state’s Department of Driver Services Spencer Moore said that the agency has a backlog of 30,000 applicants. On average the department has 5,000 teens taking the driving test a week.
Due to lockdowns, Georgia’s streets have been eerily empty and devoid of its usual traffic.
Data from the Georgia Department of Transportation shows that the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents and number of cars on the road is lower this spring than it was this time last year.
In March 2019, 143 people in Georgia were killed in car accidents on interstates. Numbers for March 2020 show that the figure was 12.6 percent lower with 125 deaths, as per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Vehicle volume on Georgia interstates also dropped by 44 percent from March 11, 2020 – the day the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic – compared to the same day last year.
Non-interstate roads saw 45 percent less traffic in March 2020 than last year.
However, police are noting an increase in speeding tickets as reckless drivers speed up on the empty highways.
Sandy Springs police ticketed more than 60 drivers for exceeding 100mph on GA Interstate 400 or Interstate 285, where the speed limit is 65mph, over the past month as per Fox5.
Georgia’s state of emergency measures are slated to expire on May 13, but could be extended.
Georgia is one of the first states to reopen their economy despite warnings from government health officials that it’s too early to do so in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kemp’s executive order started to open businesses such as gyms, bowling alleys, hair salons and tattoo parlors on April 24.
