Georgia

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Georgia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Georgia
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Georgia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1969.

Georgia
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

Choice of 5 or 10 years; veterans valid until 65 years old

Georgia
Provisions for Mature Drivers

60 and over: renewal every 5 years 64 and over: vision test required

Georgia
Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

Georgia
Marijuana Impaired Driving

Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites

Georgia
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Zero tolerance for some drugs

Georgia
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)

Georgia
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)

Georgia
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)

Georgia
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)

Georgia
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)

Georgia
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)

Georgia
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

Georgia
Administrative license suspension on first offense

1 year

Georgia
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

Georgia
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for repeat convictions

Georgia
Open container laws

Yes

Georgia
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Georgia
Child Restraint Required

Under 8 yrs and 57" or shorter in rear seat if available

Georgia
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

Over 57" tall 40 lbs or over in rear seat can use lap belt if lap/shoulder belt unavailable

Georgia
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 6 months: no passengers Second 6 months: no more than 1 passenger under 21 Thereafter: No more than 3 passengers (secondary enforcement)

Georgia
Full Privilege Minimum Age

18 years

Georgia
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

 15

Georgia
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

12

Georgia
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

40 (6); 0 with behind the wheel training

Georgia
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Georgia
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

Georgia
Type of Law

Primary

Georgia
Who is Covered?

8 and older

Georgia
In What Seat?

8-17 yrs: All 18 and over: Front

Georgia
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary Law.

Georgia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary Law.

Georgia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

No

Georgia
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Georgia
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

School zones, one hour before and after instruction time

Georgia
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Georgia
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

School zones, one hour before and after instruction time

Georgia
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Why Do We Have Right-on-Red, and is it Time to Get Rid of It?

Atlanta, Denver, Indianapolis, Washington, DC, Raleigh, North Carolina, and other major cities have recently proposed or passed laws banning it in parts of their busy downtowns or citywide. They believe it will protect people walking and biking amid the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in more than 40 years. Right turns on red “introduce extra movements into the intersection,” said Eric Dumbaugh, a professor in the department of urban and regional planning at Florida Atlantic University who studies traffic safety.

GHSA, Lyft and Responsibility.org Fund Impaired Driving Prevention Programs This Holiday Season

As we enter the holiday season – a time when impaired driving fatalities rise – the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has again partnered with Lyft and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibliy.org) to provide grants to support statewide initiatives to promote the use of ride-hailing rather than driving after consuming alcohol and/or another impairing substance.

GHSA, Lyft and Responsibility.org Fund Impaired Driving Prevention Programs This Holiday Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2023

Contact: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (after hours)
Shadawn Reddick-Smith (Lyft), 202-573-4712
Sam Nathews (Responsibility.org), 202-355-1929
 

$40,000 in grants will support public outreach and ride-hailing credits in two states as a safer alternative to driving after drinking or consuming drugs

Ford Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Award Grants to Help Combat Teen Speeding, Announce Return of Hands-On Training Clinics

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, & GHSA are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills by awarding grants totaling $135,000 to six State Highway Safety Offices & announcing the return of Ford Driving Skills for Life hands-on driver training clinics.

Ford Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Award Grants to Help Combat Teen Speeding, Announce Return of Hands-On Training Clinics

Ford Motor Company Fund and GHSA are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills by awarding grants totaling $135,000 to six State Highway Safety Offices and announcing the return of Ford Driving Skills for Life hands-on driver training clinics.

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