The Georgia Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Your Last-Minute DDS Road Test Guide

Your Georgia road test is booked, and you're in the home stretch. To give you a final boost of confidence, we've created the ultimate "cheat sheet." This isn't about finding shortcuts; it's about reinforcing the most critical rules, numbers, and maneuvers that will be fresh in your mind when the DDS examiner gets in the car.

Use this guide for a quick, focused review. Knowing these key points demonstrates that you're not just a good driver, but a knowledgeable one. Remember, you fail if you get more than 15 points deducted, so every detail counts!

The Georgia Maneuvers: What You MUST Nail

Your test will be a series of specific maneuvers. Practice these until they are second nature.

Parallel Parking:
The Big One: This is often the most feared part.
Execution: Signal right. Pull up alongside the front car, about 2-3 feet away, with your back bumpers aligned. Turn your wheel one full turn to the right and back up slowly until your car is at a 45-degree angle. Straighten your wheel and back up straight until your front bumper clears the rear bumper of the car in front. Then, turn your wheel all the way to the left and back in. Stop before you touch the curb. You get one chance to pull forward to straighten out.
Three-Point Turn (Turnabout):
Goal: Turn around in a narrow street.
Execution: Signal right, pull to the curb. Signal left, check traffic, turn wheel fully left and move forward. Stop. Shift to reverse, check traffic, turn wheel fully right and back up. Stop. Shift to drive, straighten wheel, and proceed.
Straight Line Backing:
Goal: Back up for about 50 feet without weaving.
Key Tip: Look over your right shoulder through the rear window. Do not just use your mirrors or backup camera.
Quick Stop:
Goal: Show you can react and stop safely from about 20 mph.
Execution: The examiner will say "Stop!" Brake firmly and quickly, but maintain control.
Turning and Lane Position:
Execution: Always turn into the nearest legal lane. A right turn ends in the right lane; a left turn ends in the left lane. Stay centered in your lane.

The Numbers Game: Critical Georgia Figures

Knowing these numbers by heart shows the examiner you've done your homework.

Speed Limits (Unless Posted Otherwise)

Urban or Residential District: 30 mph
Unpaved County Road: 35 mph
Rural Interstate: 70 mph
Urban Interstate or on Multi-lane Divided Highways: 65 mph
All other areas: 55 mph
School Zones: As posted (usually 20 mph when lights are flashing). Speeding here is a huge mistake.

Critical Distances

Following Distance: Maintain a two-second following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Signaling a Turn: You must signal your intention to turn at least 100 feet before the turn.
Parking from a Fire Hydrant: Do not park within 15 feet.
Parking from an Intersection/Crosswalk: Do not park within 20 feet.
Parking from a Stop Sign: Do not park within 30 feet.
Parking from a Railroad Crossing: Do not park within 50 feet.

Crucial Georgia Road Rules

These are the laws that keep everyone safe and are a major focus for examiners.

Georgia's "Move Over" Law

This is a very important state law. When you see an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) or a utility vehicle stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing:

On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, you must move over one lane away from the vehicle.
If you are unable to move over, you must slow down to a speed below the posted limit and be prepared to stop.

Right-of-Way and Stops

Complete Stops: You must come to a full, complete stop behind the white line. The car should settle. No "rolling stops."
Center Turning Lane: Use this lane ONLY for turning left. Do not use it to merge into traffic or as a driving lane. Enter the lane just before your turn.
Four-Way Stops: The first vehicle to stop is the first to go. If two stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

Joshua's Law for Teens

If you are a teen driver, the examiner expects you to know these rules:

Curfew: You cannot drive between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Passenger Restrictions (First 6 Months): Only immediate family members can be your passengers.
Passenger Restrictions (After 6 Months): Only one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family is allowed.

Automatic Fails: Instant Test Enders

Avoid these critical mistakes at all costs.

Violating any traffic law.
Causing an accident, no matter how minor.
Hitting a cone or curb during parallel parking.
The examiner having to intervene (verbally or physically).
Not wearing your seatbelt.

Review this sheet, take a deep breath, and trust your practice. You're ready to show the examiner you're a safe, responsible Georgia driver. Good luck!