Because of COVID-19, all A-1 Driving School classes have been approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services to be offered virtually.

Register exactly as you would if you were attending class. Days and times will stay the same.

A-1 Driving School has helped thousands of drivers with DUI School and Risk Reduction classes, Defensive Driving courses, Driver’s Education/Joshua’s Law programs, and Teen/Adult Driving lessons.

DUI/Risk Reduction Program

• DUI
• Drug Possession
• Other drug offenses
• Underage possession of drugs or alcohol
• The Assessment
• The 20-hour DUI Course
• Certificate of Completion

Defensive Driving Course

• Ticket Dismissal
• Points Reduction
• License Suspension under 18 years old
• License Suspension under 21 years old
• License Suspension
• Fine Reduction
• Insurance Discounts
• Earn Your Certificate of Completion

With 19 convenient locations in and around the Metro Atlanta area, we make traffic school efficient and easy. Visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call for information – (770) 962-9555.

Gov. Brian Kemp and Department of Driver Services (DDS) Commissioner Spencer R. Moore have announced an emergency operations plan for the agency which includes a 60-day extension for many Georgia residents with a driver’s license or state ID card nearing expiration.

In addition to the extended expiration dates, the DDS is closing all of its customer-facing service centers until further notice.

All valid Georgia driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards with an expiration date between now and June 30, 2020, will receive an extension by a period of 60 days.

Notices will be mailed and new cards will be printed and mailed directly to customers.

Eligible types include identification cards, commercial (CDL) and non-commercial driver’s licenses, limited permits and driving permits.

Medical certifications and CDL endorsements will be extended along with the CDL licenses.

Customers who need to reinstate their license or upgrade from a Class D to a Class C license should utilize DDS Online Services at www.dds.georgia.gov.

Customers who are new to Georgia will not be served during the closure period and should continue using their credentials from their former state. A plan to reopen safety for these customers is being developed.

A-1 Driving School is proud to be certified to administer road tests so students can get their licenses with A-1 and avoid the lines and hassle at the Department of Driver Services.

There are some basic requirements to be able to take the road test with A-1 and they are:

• The student has to complete Drivers Education / Joshua’s Law Course with A-1
• The student has to complete 6 hours of driving lessons with A-1
• The student has to have had their permit for 1 year and 1 day

If you are interested in taking your road test with A-1 or would like to schedule your road test and please call (770)962-9555!

You can also enroll and pay for your road test online at www.a1drivingschools.com!

A Fort Gordon soldier was arrested and accused of violating stay-at-home orders, fleeing from state troopers and driving drunk while attempting to visit his family in Alabama, authorities said.

Christian Lee Robinson, 20, was arrested Saturday and charged with reckless conduct for violating a statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Robinson also was charged with DUI, obstruction of officers, possession of alcohol by a minor, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

A Georgia State Patrol trooper saw Robinson swerving and driving more than 120 mph on Interstate 85 and attempted to pull him over.

Robinson refused to stop, so the trooper used a pursuit maneuver to disable Robinson’s vehicle. Robinson’s car spun out and hit a median wall which ended with him being hospitalized before he was taken to the Coweta jail.

Robinson told authorities he was a soldier and was absent without leave from Fort Gordon, Tarpley said. Robinson also told authorities he was trying to visit family in Alabama.

DUI Laws | What You Need to Know

The laws make it illegal for drivers of all ages to operate motor vehicles if they have BAC percentages of:

• 0.08% or higher, if they’re 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
• 0.04% or higher, if they’re operating commercial vehicles.
• 0.02% or higher, if they’re younger than 21 years old.

Georgia State law also requires a clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:

1. DUI
2. Drug Possession
3. Other drug offenses
4. Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol

Before getting behind the wheel after having a few, consider the many reasons why you should not.

For more information about DUI School visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call (770) 962-9555!

Cases of the new coronavirus in Georgia continued to climb.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.

Georgia has opened at least 13 drive-thru locations for coronavirus testing and plans more.

Kemp says priority for tests is being given to those at highest risk — the elderly, people who already have chronic illnesses, those in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities and first responders such as paramedics. 

“To be tested at one of these locations, you must have a referral from a medical provider,” Kemp said. “Tests are limited to elderly Georgians, members of the law enforcement community, first responders, long-term care facility residents and staff as well as health care workers. We must protect those who are protecting us and that is why we have these testing sites in strategic locations around the state.”

Testing sites around the state will be located in Cartersville, Rome, Dalton, Woodstock, Gainesville, Marietta, Atlanta, Morrow, Newnan, Dublin, Warner Robbins, Augusta, Columbus, Valdosta, Tifton, Albany, Douglas, Statesboro, Brunswick, Savannah and Athens.

We hope everyone is social distancing and staying safe, but if you must travel for essential needs A-1 wants you to practice good defensive driving skills.

Defensive drivers are able to avoid dangers on the road by using their safe driving practices.

Tips for defensive driving:

• Plan ahead for the unexpected.
• Be able to control speed
• Be Prepared to react to other drivers
• Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do
• Respect other users of the roadway.
• Be aware of driving in special road and weather conditions
• Be alert and avoid distratcions, e.g., cell phone use, eating.

Take Your Class, Virtually!

The ACC DUI Treatment Court is one of four courts selected by the National Center for DWI Courts and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is the only court selected on five consecutive occasions.

According to their website, the mission of the Athens court is to improve public safety in Athens while saving lives and families through their program based on support, supervision, and accountability. National Academy Courts are identified as “exemplary DWI courts,” according to the NCDC website. These courts host foundational trainings, participate in research and media and “serve as a national model for DWI courts.”

Lee Rushton, the coordinator for the ACC DUI Treatment Court, said they have about 70 participants in the program at a time with a graduation rate of 53%. Participants stay under the supervision of the court for at least 14 months or until their probation expires, at which point they can continue to seek counseling through local agencies. This accounts for many of the people who do not officially graduate from the program.

“Athens has prioritized people’s well-being. It has fostered an environment for people to seek stability and reach their full potential,” said Judge Charles Auslander, presiding judge of the Athens court, during his closing remarks at the ceremony.

A-1 Driving School has helped thousands of drivers with DUI School and Risk Reduction classes, Defensive Driving courses, Driver’s Education/Joshua’s Law programs, and Teen/Adult Driving lessons.

With 19 convenient locations in and around the Metro Atlanta area, offering both day, evening classes, and online classes, we make traffic school efficient and easy.

As advocates for safe driving practices, we would like to congratulate the amazing job that the ACC DUI Treatment Court has been doing and will continue to do!

The Georgia Department of Driver Services has agreed to make it easier for Puerto Ricans and applicants from other U.S. territories to get driver’s licenses under the terms of a federal lawsuit settlement which was announced recently.

The department agreed to allow residents from the territories — who are U.S. citizens — to transfer their driver’s licenses to Georgia without taking driving or written tests. That’s what people who move to Georgia from the 50 U.S. states are already allowed to do.

In addition, the DDS will no longer require Puerto Ricans to take a test of island geography, politics and culture to prove they are from that territory.

The settlement could make it easier for thousands of people to drive, get jobs and otherwise settle in Georgia.

In a written statement, the DDS confirmed the changes in policy.

“The top priority at DDS is to provide efficient customer service while following all Georgia and federal rules and requirements,” Commissioner Spencer R. Moore said. “We welcome instances like this where opportunities for improvement can be made after an additional assessment of existing law.”