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Driver's Licenses

driving license

International students, scholars and dependents who plan to drive in the US should get a Georgia driver's license. Obtaining a GA license is recommended for the following reasons:

  1. To comply with Georgia law:
    • When a non-US citizen establishes residency in Georgia, they must obtain a Georgia driver’s license within thirty days.
    • This rule also applies to non-US citizens who have lived in another US state, and who have been issued a driver's license by another state's Department of Driver Services (DDS) or equivalent department/division.
    • A non-US citizen would be considered a resident of Georgia if they meet any of the following criteria:
      • "If a person accepts employment or engages in trade in Georgia, and enrolls his or her children in a private or public school within ten days after the commencement of employment; or
      • If a person has been present in the state for 30 or more days."
         
  2. To buy and/or register a car in Georgia:
    • To buy a car, the owner must register their vehicle in their county.
    • Car registration requires a valid Georgia driver's license or state identification card.
       
  3. To provide to a police officer conducting a traffic stop:
    • Non-US citizens with a valid foreign driver’s license are allowed to drive in the state of Georgia for tourism or business purposes. However, if stopped by the police, the officer may ask for the driver's passport or visa to verify the license is valid.
    • International students, scholars and dependents who have not yet obtained a GA license should carry their passport and visa with them while driving.
    • However, if the officer is not aware of the provision allowing foreign citizens to drive using an out-of-country license for a limited time, they might still issue the driver a citation for driving without a license.

Note: An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of person's driver's license into ten languages, including English. There is no such thing as an "international driver's license." Learn more on USA.gov's Driving in the US if you are not a citizen page.

Requirements, Application Process and More

Before an international student, scholar or dependent applies for a Georgia driver's license, their arrival in the US has to be confirmed in multiple government databases. Before starting the application process, the student/scholar/dependent should wait until:

  • At least ten business days have passed since they arrived in the US.
  • Until they have completed ISSS international student/scholar check-in.
  • hey have confirmed their SEVIS record has been registered (Fs and Js only);
    • After completing check-in, ISSS will review the form and activate the student/scholar's SEVIS record.
    • F-1 and J-1 students and scholars will receive an approval email notifying them that their check-in form was approved and their SEVIS record was registered/activated.
  • Have received a social security number (SSN) or a letter of ineligibility/denial letter (SSA-L676) from the Social Security Administration (see below)

To apply for a driver's license, international students/scholars/dependents will need either a Social Security Number (SSN) or a letter of ineligibility for a social security number (also called an SSN denial letter or Form SSA-L676). In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work in the US can apply for a social security number.

Students/scholars/dependents who are eligible for a social security number will need to apply for one before applying for a Georgia driver's license. The individual will need to wait to receive their social security card in the mail before they can visit the Department of Driver Services (DDS).

Students/scholars/dependents who are not eligible for a social security number still have to visit a Social Security Administration office in order to get a letter of ineligibility/denial letter (SSA-L676). Once this letter is obtained, the individual can then go to a DDS office to apply for their driver's license.

Although not required, the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages individuals to schedule an appointment in advance. 

SSA offices close to Emory's campus:

  • Decatur office: 3554 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032
  • Downtown Atlanta office:  401 W. Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2860, Fl. 28th, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Norcross office: 4365 Shackleford Road, Norcross, GA 30093

Use SSA's Social Security Office Locator to find another location.

  1. Gather the following documents:
    • Immigration documents
      • Enabling document (I-20, DS-2019 or I-797)
      • Valid passport
      • Visa
      • I-94
    • Social security card or Form SSA-L676 (see above)
    • Home-country license, if in possession of one
    • Proof of residence
      • Off campus: Bring an apartment lease and a secondary document (e.g., a utility bill), that shows the student/scholar's name and local address.
      • On campus: Students can go to the Residence Life and Housing Operations in Raoul Hall to get a letter from Emory confirming their local address.
         
  2. Prepare for the knowledge exam (a traffic law test that includes road signs) and road test (a driving skills test).
  3. Schedule a road test and complete the online application.
  4. Visit a DDS office.
    • Bring the required documents (listed above).
    • Apply for a license by taking a vision test, the knowledge exam and a road test. 
       
  5. Obtain a temporary and permanent driver's license.
    • Typically, the applicant will get a temporary driver's license at the DDS office.
    • The permanent license is mailed to the applicant and should be received within 45 days of receiving the temporary license. 
Notes
  • For more information and a helpful, printable document checklist for non-US citizens, visit DDS' List of Acceptable Real ID Documents page.
  • The DDS office in the South Dekalb Mall is accessible via the free Emory Shuttle.
    • Visit Emory's Transportation and Parking Services website to view the schedule for the South Dekalb Mall Park and Ride.

If a student/scholar/dependent buys a car in Georgia, they have to register it with their county. Car registration requires the owner to have a valid Georgia driver's license or a state identification card.

Vehicle registration is handled by the tax commissioner's office in each county.

Tax Commissioner's Offices

A student/scholar/dependent's Georgia driver's license will expire on the end date listed on their immigration document (I-20, DS-2019 or I-797). Therefore, if their stay in the US is extended, or they apply for a change of status with a new end date, they will need to renew their license.

If student/scholar/dependent's driver's license is expiring, but they have a pending application to extend their stay in the US, they might be able to request a 120-day extension of their driver's license. Important: To be eligible for the extension, the Georgia license must have expired or must be expiring within thirty days.

Scroll to the bottom of DDS' Information for Non-US Citizens page for more information.

If a student/scholar/dependent is not extending their stay in the US by applying for post-completion work authorization (OPT/AT), starting a new program or changing their immigration status, they will not be granted an extension or be able to renew their driver’s license. Georgia DDS does not recognize the grace period a student/scholar/dependent may have with their immigration status. Thus, it is important that students/scholars/dependents make proper arrangements before their set license expiration date. 

Please note that in Georgia, driving with an expired license is a misdemeanor offense under O.C.G.A. 40-5-121. Penalties for first-time offenders include fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 and potential jail time up to 12 months.  

Resources
Need Help?

Students and scholars who have questions about the application process or are experiencing extensive delays should contact their ISSS advisor. ISSS advocates for change at all levels of the driver's license process, and ISSS might be able to help with an individual case.

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