Does a Class D License Become a Class C at 18?

No. A Georgia Class D provisional license does not automatically become a Class C license when the driver turns 18; an eligible driver must request the upgrade through Georgia DDS Online Services, the DDS 2 GO app, or a customer service center. DDS allows an online request within seven days before the 18th birthday, but it will not process the upgrade before the driver turns 18, and the driver must satisfy the Class C eligibility requirements.

Law checked as of September 28, 2026.

Class D License Restrictions in Georgia

Class D Provisional license for Class C vehicles – available to 16-year old drivers if they have held a class CP license for at least 1 year; have not been convicted of any major traffic violations; meet school enrollment requirements (see O.C.G.A. §40-5-22); and have completed a Driver’s Education course consisting of classroom and behind-the-wheel training. A driving skills test (road test) must be successfully completed prior to issuance of a Class D license. Class D license holders are limited to the following conditions:

• cannot operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM (this limitation applies at all times on a Class D license)

• during the first 6-month period after issuance, cannot operate a motor vehicle with any passenger who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family (defined as the license holder’s parents and step-parents, grandparents, siblings, and step-siblings, children, and any other person who resides at the license holder’s residence),

• during the second six-month period after issuance, cannot operate a motor vehicle with more than one (1) passenger under the age of 21 who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family, and

• for the remainder of the Class D license period, cannot operate a motor vehicle when more than three (3) passengers under the age of 21 are not members of the driver’s immediate family.

What Is a Class CP Permit?

A Georgia Class CP permit is the instructional learner’s permit for a Class C vehicle. It is generally available beginning at age 15 after the applicant meets the identification, school-enrollment, vision, and knowledge-test requirements. A permit holder may drive a Class C vehicle only while accompanied by a licensed Class C driver who is at least 21, fit and capable of exercising control, and seated beside the permit holder. Georgia DDS states that a Class CP permit is valid for two years. See the current Georgia DDS license-class guidance.

What is the penalty for violating the limitations of a Class D license?

Many believe that violating the Class D license conditions constitutes “violating license restrictions,” which would result in a license suspension. But, this is not correct.

According to DDS: 

Class D license “conditions,” as referenced in OCGA § 40-5-24, should not be confused with license “restrictions,” as referenced in OCGA § 40-5-30. An officer citing a driver of violating a Class D license “condition” should charge under OCGA § 40-5-24. A violation of OCGA § 40-5-24, in and of itself, will not result in a suspension, is not a points-bearing offense, and does not need to be reported to DDS.

This is because, under OCGA § 40-5-24(b)(2) “a Class D license holder shall not be charged with a violation of [the Class D conditions] alone but may be charged with violating this paragraph in addition to any other traffic offense.” In other words, violating the limitations of a Class D license is not a traffic violation unless the driver is also violating some other traffic offense at the same time.

What if I was driving on a Class D license, but I had already turned 18 at the time of the arrest?

No. Turning 18 makes an otherwise eligible Class D holder able to request a Class C upgrade, but the license class does not change automatically. Georgia DDS says the only online license-class change it offers is a Class D-to-C upgrade, and drivers age 18 or older can request it through Online Services or the DDS 2 GO app.

Before applying, confirm that you have had no major traffic conviction that results in a mandatory suspension during the 12 months before the application. Review the current Georgia DDS Online Services FAQ for processing and eligibility details.