The Truth Behind the Driver's License Drama Georgia’s COVID-19 Rule Changes Explained
If you have friends or family with teenagers or are a parent yourself, you’ve probably heard a lot of speculation over the last few months about changes to Georgia’s driver’s license testing rules. On April 23, Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order that apparently waived the road-test requirement for the majority of new Georgia drivers. This created a lot of confusion and put our state in the national news. Since April, more than 20,000 teenagers have been able to skip the road test requirement and gain provisional drivers licenses. According to an official from the state’s Department of Driver Services, these kids still had to comply with the rest of the usual licensing requirements. Even so, people were understandably worried about the impact of having so many untested drivers on Georgia roads. The goal of the new policy was to catch the state up on its testing backlog and help people practice social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. However, it
didn’t take long for state officials to realize they needed to provide more clarity on the policy. Soon after his first intervention, Kemp issued another order to clarify that the test exemption wasn’t permanent. As of this writing, new drivers who’ve received their licenses without taking a driving test will still have to take the test eventually. Right now, the deadline for that is Sept. 30. Anyone who doesn’t pass a road test by then will lose their license. This is important to know if you’re a parent, but it’s only marginally reassuring if you’re sharing the road. As of right now, thousands of teenagers driving through Atlanta haven’t passed their roads tests, and it’s always possible that the Sept. 30 deadline could be extended as the pandemic situation evolves. With that in mind, please be extra cautious on the road this summer. Keep an eye out for young drivers and drive defensively. We’d hate to see an increase in car accidents due to this new rule.
If you are unlucky enough to end up in a car crash through no fault of your own, our team can help. Visit PatrickTrialLaw.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.
sudoku
Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad
Ingredients • 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes • 1/2 tsp sea salt • Pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese • 2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced
• •
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup corn • 6 cups arugula, packed
Directions 1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese.
Solution
3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
KEVINPATRICK.LAW I 404.566.5880 • 3
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker