# COVID-19 Driver License... What? No Road Test Required? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [April 30, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611 "2020-04-30T16:54:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/1 "2020-04-30T16:54:46Z")
Because of the virus outbreak, the State of Georgia is temporarily allowing 16 year-olds to get a driver license without taking a driving test. Some 30,000 teens that had learner permits are on hold, waiting to be able to take the driving test to upgrade to a regular Official Georgia Driver License. Well, now with a note from an adult stating that they’ve practiced, they can get permission to go online and print themselves an Official Provisional Georgia Driver License and take their friends on a road trip. In a couple weeks the real license will arrive by mail. > **[Teens in Georgia can get driver’s license without road test because of...](https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/04/30/teens-georgia-can-get-drivers-license-without-road-test-because-coronavirus/)** > > For the time being, the state is allowing 16-year-olds to get a license without taking the road test requirement. **Some parents, some eligible teens, and some other motorists feel this is a bad idea.** **What do you think of it?** **Good idea? Bad idea? Why?** **What could possibly go wrong?** **What changes, if any, would you suggest?** _ **CSA** _ 🌴 🕶 🌴 ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/2 "2020-04-30T17:21:26Z")
That’s not the only bad decision that Governor made recently. I’m amazed the insurance companies haven’t weighed in on this. It was insurance companies that lobbied each state years ago to implement a road test. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/3 "2020-04-30T17:24:19Z")
In Georgia, drivers ed is watching Dukes of Hazard. ---
**Author:** ![PhantomPatriot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/phantompatriot/32/20713_2.png) [@PhantomPatriot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PhantomPatriot)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/4 "2020-04-30T17:28:01Z")
Good idea. The governor is trying to not violate the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the United States Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/5 "2020-04-30T17:29:31Z")
Now that the announcement was made, maybe the insurers will. They might instead create a new insurance class for those without the road test and charge more for it. Added risk, you know. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/6 "2020-04-30T17:44:57Z")
> [@bpinard\_154481](#): > > Good idea. The governor is trying to not violate the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the United States Constitution. Since I don’t see a “just kidding” smiley I don’t know if you’re serious but that clause applies to _citizens of other states._ [Privileges and Immunities Clause - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privileges_and_Immunities_Clause) We talk a lot in the US about individual rights but rarely about _society’s_ rights. One of them is the right to be reasonably safe from untrained drivers, IMHO. The Governor could have easily issued an executive order extending all learner’s permits until, say, the end of July. When I got my license in Illinois no behind-the-wheel driver’s test was required and that was a mistake IMHO. When I moved to Missouri I wasn’t required to take a behind-the-wheel test either. In fact, I’ve _never_ taken such a test and I’m in my mid 60’s. ---
**Author:** ![PhantomPatriot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/phantompatriot/32/20713_2.png) [@PhantomPatriot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PhantomPatriot)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/7 "2020-04-30T18:00:52Z")
If the parents lie and put an unsafe driver on the road, that is their problem. Everyone keeps bending over when the government says “it’s for your own good”. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/8 "2020-04-30T18:03:51Z")
> [@common\_sense\_answer](#): > > take their friends on a road trip. I don’t see that stated in the article. Many states’ licenses have restrictions for new or young drivers: hours of operation, numbers of or relationship to passengers, for example. If Georgia does not, I think it creates a dangerous situation that does not have a corresponding benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/9 "2020-04-30T18:21:34Z")
I think it is ok given the requirements. _" Driver Education FAQs. … If you are 16 years of age, you will be required to show proof that you successfully completed a driver education course approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). In addition, you must have completed a total of 40 hours of supervised driving , 6 hours of which must be at night."_ ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/10 "2020-04-30T18:30:42Z")
> [@bpinard\_154481](#): > > If the parents lie and put an unsafe driver on the road, that is their problem. The people that the kid hits/injures/kills might not agree… ---
**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/12 "2020-04-30T18:51:19Z")
> [@bpinard\_154481](#): > > If the parents lie and put an unsafe driver on the road, that is their problem. Everyone keeps bending over when the government says “it’s for your own good”. Of all of the idiotic and asinine things I’ve seen posted here recently…this might take the cake 🍰 ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/13 "2020-04-30T20:25:16Z")
> [@bpinard\_154481](#): > > If the parents lie and put an unsafe driver on the road, that is their problem … and potentially a “problem” for anyone whom they injure or kill as a result of their lack of skills, coupled with the typical adolescent mindset. Let us not forget that the _genius_ who is running that state only “learned” last week that non-symptomatic people can be carriers of the virus, and can infect everyone else with whom they come in contact. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/14 "2020-04-30T20:26:05Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > If you are 16 years of age, you will be required to show proof that you successfully completed a _driver education_ course approved by the _Georgia_ Department of _Driver_ Services (DDS). In addition, you must have completed a total of 40 hours of supervised _driving_ , 6 hours of which must be at night." The article said the Governor removed those requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/15 "2020-04-30T20:27:24Z")
We had the classroom and driver ed classes, never have had a road test except for my cdl license. Only 65 though. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/16 "2020-04-30T20:33:58Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > We had the classroom and driver ed classes, never have had a road test except for my cdl license. Most (if not all…I don’t know a state that doesn’t until now) states require a road test for a drivers license. Most require drivers ed also IF you’re under a certain age. Some states it’s 18, and others it’s 21. Most states require a written test to get a learners permit. NH doesn’t. At 15.5 you can start driving with anyone over the age of 21 in the front seat. No permit required. The caveat to that is you can’t drive outside the state. An the vast majority of NH’s population live near the MA border. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/17 "2020-04-30T20:43:44Z")
> [@bpinard\_154481](#): > > that is their problem. And it is also the problem of the innocent driver that their kid paralyzed because he sucks at driving. This “freedum, Murka” crap needs to stop. Liberty is important, but your right to swing your fist ends at my nose. If you want to enjoy the benefits of living in a society, then you need to stop with the automatic “whatever, I do what I want” angsty teenager responses when someone tells you that there are responsibilities and guidelines that you need to follow. ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/18 "2020-04-30T21:01:15Z")
If I had to be honest… The driving test did absolutely NADA for my driving skills or knowledge in regards to car or motorcycle operation. Then again, I wasn’t exactly what you would call inexperienced behind the wheel at that point in my life… Today’s kids are a bit different methinks… so I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/19 "2020-04-30T21:13:24Z")
Actually, the have a lot of driving experience before the test, at least in Maryland. We spent a lot of time in the car with our children before they could take their test. They also had to drive with a local driving school, and classes too. They were ready to drive by the time they could take the test. My kids were still inexperienced, but they had a lot of training. They drive a lot better 10 to 15 years later. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/20 "2020-04-30T21:32:59Z")
> [@davepsinbox\_157004](#): > > We talk a lot in the US about individual rights but rarely about _society’s_ rights That’s because the Constitution was written as a protection of the individual’s rights. Societies rights derive from the idea that the individual’s right is upheld as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. We require proof of some competence of licensed drivers so they don’t infringe on the rights of others to be safe. Same end goal is achieved but derived from the point of the individual and not the collective. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611/21 "2020-04-30T21:39:44Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > Actually, the have a lot of driving experience before the test, at least in Maryland. We spent a lot of time in the car with our children before they could take their test. I made that observation when I worked at a small airport while in high school and took flight instruction and learned to fly small airplanes. Usually people ride in cars for many years before learning to drive and they ride bicycles near streets, etcetera. They soak in lots of information, concerning which side of the street to drive on, what the different colored traffic signals mean, which controls on the car do what and so on, but… When folks show up at the airport and want to learn to fly, they often lack those years of riding in the vehicle and soaking in common useful information. I was one of those and there’s so much to learn all at once, basically learning aircraft nomenclature, pre-flights, controls, physically handling the airplane during taxiing, take-offs, slow flight, stalls, turns-about-a-point, and landings, short field and cross-wind, too, aviation weather, navigation, and communications (like at controlled airports). Sometimes, as in my case, I had never ridden in a small private airplane prior to beginning lessons. From where I sit, the car driving license test is a joke, compared with the test required to obtain a pilot license. A driver license granted to a 16 year-old is basically a license to practice driving, anyhow. I did my road test by having an officer follow my moped on a prescribed short ride. Feel the magic! _ **CSA** _ 🌴 🕶 🌴 [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/covid-19-driver-license-what-no-road-test-required/163611.md?page=2)