Just a few years ago, getting a driver’s license was easy. Go get a learners permit, pick up a driving handbook, study the laws, wait until you are 16, and go take a driving test. You pass the test, you get your license, and you are off driving.

Senate Bill 226 also known as "Joshua’s Law" was passed during the 2005 General Assembly. Beginning January 1, 2007, all 16-year-olds applying for a Class D driver’s license must complete an approved driver education course AND complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night, with a parent or guardian’s sworn verification that these driving requirements have been met.

Any Georgia student who has not completed an approved driver education course must wait until age 17 to be eligible for a Class D driver’s license. He or she must still complete a total of at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least 6 hours at night. The same verification in writing by a parent or guardian is required.

What does this mean for teenagers? When they turn 15, they have a few things to accomplish before they can get their license at age 16:

1. Get their learner’s permit.

2. Sign up for an approved driver education course

3. Log 40 hours of supervised driving

4. Log 6 hours of supervised night driving

5. Study the driver’s handbook and learn all the driving laws

With all these requirements met, a sixteen year old is eligible to take the driving test to get their driver’s license. If all the requirements above are not met, then the student must wait until their 17th birthday to become eligible for a driver’s license.

This is quite a change from years past, but this new system is geared towards getting teenage drivers better prepared for the responsibilities of being behind the wheel. Some of the driver education courses even offer electronic simulated driver training on a driving simulator that gives them a feel for what driving a car is like.

Make sure you know what the requirements are for teenage drivers so you can be prepared to help your teenager complete all the steps above. Knowing your teen driver has completed these requirements will give you peace of mind, and empower them to make good decisions behind the wheel. The goal is safer teen drivers, so get your teens signed up to take a drivers education course and learn the responsibilities of driving.