In order to secure a chauffeur's permit, an applicant must provide the following information on a form provided by the commissioner. The applicant must:

(1) Be at least 18 years of age;

(2) Possess a valid Georgia driver's license which must have been held for a minimum period of one year prior to application, and said license must not be limited as defined in Code Section 40-5-64; and

(3)(A) Not have been convicted, been on probation or parole, or served time on a sentence for a period of five years previous to the date of application for the violation of any of the following criminal offenses of this state or any other state or of the United States: criminal homicide, rape, aggravated battery, mayhem, burglary, aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or drugs, child molestation, any sex related offense, leaving the scene of an accident, criminal solicitation to commit any of the above, any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used, perjury or false swearing in making any statement under oath in connection with the application for a chauffeur's permit, any law involving violence or theft, or possession, sale, or distribution of narcotic drugs, barbituric acid derivatives, or central nervous system stimulants; provided, however, that all applicants shall be entitled to the full benefits of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 42, relating to first offender probation.

(B) If at the time of application the applicant is charged with any of the offenses prescribed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, consideration of the application shall be suspended until entry of a plea or verdict or dismissal. For purposes of this paragraph, a plea of nolo contendere to any of the offenses set out in this paragraph shall constitute a conviction.