Legislature passes bill giving foreigners quicker access to Ga. driver’s licenses

A bill that would give foreigners quicker access to Georgia driver’s licenses won final passage in the House Thursday afternoon and is heading to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk for his signature.

Deal has already indicated support for House Bill 475, which passed the Senate Tuesday with a few amendments. The governor has said the bill would make Georgia more business-friendly. A spokesman for the governor said his office would start reviewing approved legislation Friday.

Sponsored by Republican state Rep. B.J. Pak of Lilburn, HB 475 would authorize Georgia to enter into “reciprocity agreements” with other countries. Such agreements would allow foreigners to skip the state’s knowledge and on-the-road driver’s license tests, so long as they are legally present in the U.S. and hold valid driver’s licenses issued by their own countries. Their countries must also offer the same benefits to visitors with Georgia driver’s licenses.