Georgia state driving guide

Find out the essentials for driving in the state of Georgia, from toll roads to speed limits, car seat requirements and general rules. Equip yourself with the driving knowledge you need before setting out on the road to Georgia.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Georgia and other states
• Driving conditions

Driving rules in Georgia

•  If there are no traffic lights at an intersection, the driver on the left must give way to the driver on the right.
• At four-way intersections with stop signs for all drivers, you must proceed in the order of first to arrive, first to proceed. If you arrive at the same time as other drivers, the driver on the left must yield to the right.
• You need to use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, during rainfall, and when visibility is poor.
• No driver is allowed to hold a cellphone in their hand while driving. Hands-free communication through such things as Bluetooth technology is allowed.

Speed limits in Georgia

The speed limit in Georgia varies depending on what road classification you’re driving on.

Toll roads in Georgia

There are no toll roads in the state of Georgia, but some interstate express lanes require payment for use. These include:

• I-85 Express Lanes – I-85 Express Lanes Extension
• I-75 Express Lanes – Northwest Corridor Express Lanes (I-75/I-575)

Both charges must be paid electronically and cannot be paid by cash. You can facilitate the provision of payment for these using Peach Pass or Sun Pass, both of which use an electronic transponder.

Driving ages and license requirements in Georgia

• The minimum legal driving age in Georgia is 15 with a Georgia learner’s permit.
• Full driver’s licenses are not granted until age 18.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Georgia with Hertz is 21.

For more information, read our guide on renting a car under the age of 25 with Hertz.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Georgia

In your vehicle, you must have your driver’s license and proof of identification – as well as your rental agreement if you’re driving a rental car.

You may also want to carry the following in case of an emergency:

• First aid kit
• Puncture kit
• Jump cables
• Owner’s manual
• Proof of insurance.

Georgia speed violations, infractions and penalties

What are the fines for breaking the speed limit laws in Georgia? Please see below:

• $25 for driving 5 to 10mph over the limit
• $100 for driving 10 to 14mph over the limit
• $125 for driving 14mph to 19mph over the limit
• $150 for driving 19mph to 24mph over the limit
• $500 for driving 24mph to 34mph over the limit.

Driving with children in Georgia

As part of the Georgia Child Passenger Safety Law, there are certain car seat requirements you need to follow when driving with young passengers in Georgia:

• One year olds or children weighing less than 20lbs must sit in a rear-facing car seat.
• Children aged one to three years should use a forward-facing car seat, so long as they weigh over 20lbs and have outgrown the rear-facing car seat.
• From four to seven years, children should sit in a forward-facing seat. Once they weigh over 40lbs, they can use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
• For children aged eight to 12 years, a booster seat should be used until the seat belt fits properly. If they’re over 4’ 9” tall, they can use a seat belt. 
• ·       All children need to sit in the back of the car until age 13.

Gas prices in Georgia

The average gas price in Georgia is $3.24 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.08 per mile.
• And for a bigger car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it’s around $0.12 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated October 20, 2022.

Electric car charging in Georgia

There are over 1,400 electric charging locations in the state of Georgia, with over 3,000 EVSE ports. This makes it a great place to rent and drive an electric vehicle. Many of the ports also have Level 2 chargers for faster and more efficient charging.

Driving between Georgia and other states

Fancy a trip to one of Georgia’s neighboring states? You can easily cross over to the likes of Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee or Florida in your Hertz car rental.

With locations throughout the country, you can choose a pickup point in Albany, Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia and drop it off in another location in a different state.

Driving conditions in Georgia

The weather in Georgia tends to be quite moderate all year-round. The west of the state experiences a subtropical climate, while the east has more continental weather. This makes for excellent driving conditions wherever you go, with warm summers and mild winters.

Generally, the sun shines regularly in the state of Georgia due to its southern location, and precipitation ranges from 400mm to 4,500mm annually.