Almost 20,000 Georgia Teens, Received Driver's License Without Road Test

A survey in 2013 showed that out of 500 drivers, 44 percent could not get a passing score in the driving test.

One of the most nerve-racking moments for someone applying for a license is the road test.

In Georgia, almost 20,000 teenagers did not have to worry about a road test.

An executive order from the governor of Georgia ordered that road tests shall be waived during the coronavirus pandemic.

Teens' Reactions

One of those who applied for a license was 17-year-old Willa Pevey. She lives in Tucker, Georgia. One of her biggest worries, when she applied, was the driving test, which included parallel parking. According to Pevey, she is very happy that she did not have to do it.

Solution to backlog

According to the report of the Department of Driver Services, the waiving of the road test to almost 20,000 applicants is Georgia's way of easing the backlog in the department. Because of the pandemic, there are thousands of road test requests which were put on hold. That is why the governor decided to waive road tests.

In total, 19,483 teens are legally allowed to take the wheel.

Wisconsin will follow suit

Starting May 11, Wisconsin will also do the same procedure that Georgia did to their 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds.

For applicants to have their road tests waivered, they should have the following:

• Road test waiver signed by their parent or guardian
• Violation-free (6 months) Instruction Permit (Learner's Permit)
• Completed driver education classes
• Completed behind-the-wheel-training with a licensed instructor
• Completed 30 hours of driving with parents/sponsor

According to the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, parents will be playing a vital role in ensuring the safety of the applying drivers. That is why some parents are taking precautionary measures.

Tom Rathkamp, who has a 17-year-old daughter applying for a license, said he will only allow Stephanie if she will have a bit more practice first.

Rathkamp plans to give his daughter their own little drive test, just to make sure. "We're going to give her our own little driving test if you will because we are the ones signing off on giving her a license, we want to make sure...," Rathkamp said. He added that this is a sign of responsibility as parents.

Some think it's risky

Even though waivers are in place in Georgia and Wisconsin, some parents are still a bit hesitant.

Lauri Walters said that she thinks it is dangerous that no one is checking to make sure a person is fit to drive. Walters said, "It's dangerous for there to be no person to have the checks and balances to make sure that this person knows the skinny pedal on the right is gas and the left pedal is (the) brake."

For a driving instructor, Sarah Casto, it is not safe to assume that parents will be responsible for this, especially because not all parents are deemed responsible. 

Casto already started a petition that calls the governor of Georgio to reverse his order. 

As of writing, there are more than 2,000 signatures in the online petition.