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Welcome - today is Saturday, March 25, 2023 - our CDL Package is guaranteed current for the next 90 days.

Applying For A Georgia Commercial License

Georgia CDL General Information

Persons 18 to 21 may obtain a commercial driver's license, but will be restricted to drive in Georgia only. On or after the 21st birthday, the driver must go to the examination station and the Georgia Only restriction will be lifted.

The following types and combinations of vehicles require the driver to hold a commercial driver's license:

• Combination of vehicles weighing 26, 001 pounds or more,
• Single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26, 001 pounds or more
• Single vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver)
• Any size vehicle which requires hazardous material placards.

Georgia CDL Application

Application and manuals for a commercial drivers license (CDL) may be obtained at the Customer Service Centers. Complete the application; the application fee is $35.00. Fees are waived for veterans and school bus drivers who present the proper documentation. To apply, submit the completed application and $35.00 fee to any Customer Service Center (except Jackson) and take the required written knowledge exams. The $10 permit fee is paid prior to taking the knowledge exams. If all exams are passed, the $10 fee pays for the instructional permit. If any of the exams are not passed, the $10 fee is retained as a testing fee. The $10 permit fee would be paid again at the next test attempt.

Georgia CDL Examination Stations

Examination stations/Customer Service Centers are open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. All Customer Service Centers offer the written knowledge exams; testing must begin by 5:15pm. The Albany, Between, Brunswick, Dalton, Gainesville, Jackson, Milledgeville and Thomson examination stations are the only centers that give CDL road tests and tests are given by appointment only. To schedule an appointment call: (678) 413-8500.

Georgia CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Fees

• CDL License Class A, B - 5 years $20
• CDL Instructional Permit AP, BP - 1 year $10
• CDL Application - $35
• CDL Road Skills Test - $50
• CDL Endorsements - term of license w/o Hazmat - $5 each

Georgia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Road Tests

The Albany, Between, Cumming, Dalton, Gainesville, Jackson, Milledgeville and Thomson Customer Service Centers offer commercial road tests. All Commercial Road Tests are by appointment only. Applicants must bring both a valid driver's license and CDL permit in order to begin a road test.

Effective January 5, 2009, the $50 road test fee must be paid at the time the appointment is scheduled. Credit cards only are accepted for payment for telephone reservations. If you would like to use a different form of payment, you may visit any Customer Service Center to pay the $50 fee and schedule a reservation. You will receive a paper receipt which should be retained for further transactions.

If you fail to show for your scheduled appointment or do not call to reschedule at least the business day before your appointment, the $50 fee is lost. A new $50 fee is required to schedule the next test appointment.

Out of state Commercial Driver's License transfers are not eligible for reservations.

Georgia CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the Georgia Knowledge Tests that are required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained in the FREE Georgia CDL Handbook. Please read and study this manual carefully.

• Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
• Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
• Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air brakes vehicles..
• Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
• School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
• Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.

Classes of Georgia CDL and Required Tests

CDL Class	Tests Required	Possible Endorsements and Required Tests
Class A (Combination vehicle endorsement required)	General Knowledge Written Exam Combination Endorsement Written Exam Road Exam	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam T - Doubles/Triples Written Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class B	General Knowledge Written Exam Road Exam	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class C	General Knowledge Written Exam Road Exam Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one.	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam

Georgia CDL Endorsements

Exam	Time Allowed (Minutes)	# of Questions on Exam	# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass
General Knowledge	60	50	40
Air Brakes	25	25	20
HazMat	30	30	24
Tank	20	20	16
Passenger	20	20	16
Doubles/Triples	20	20	16
Combination Vehicles	20	20	16
School Bus	20	20	16

What is a CDL?
A "CDL" is a Commercial Drivers License. It meets certain minimum "standards" that are the same for every state. It differs from the Georgia "operator's" or "chauffeur's" licenses. It is required if you drive certain kinds of commercial trucks or buses.

What is the COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT OF 1986 (CMVSA/86) administered by the FMCSA?
It is a law passed by the United States Congress which requires ALL the individual states to comply with certain standards in regards to the licensing of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Georgia driver licensing standards comply with the law, requiring CMV drivers to obtain a Georgia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) when driving applicable trucks and buses. A CDL license can ONLY be issued in the driver's STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE, and if you have a CDL, you can have NO OTHER DRIVER'S LICENSE in ANY other state.

When do I need a Georgia CDL instead of my regular Georgia Drivers License?
A Georgia CDL is required if you operate any of the following CMV's . . .
1. A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.
2. A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.
3. A vehicle used to . . .(a.) carry 15 or more passengers (excluding the driver), or (b.) carry (15) or less people (including the driver) when carrying children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
4. A vehicle carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.

What are the eligibility requirements to obtain a Georgia CDL?
1. You must be 21 years old. (18 years if all commercial driving is done within Georgia and if no hazardous materials requiring placarding are transported and if you do not drive double or triple trailer rigs).
2. You must be physically capable (in accordance with the MCSR 49 CFR 391.41 Physical Qualifications for Drivers regulations) of obtaining a valid DOT medical examiner's card (before being issued a CDL permit or taking any CDL skills test).
3. You must otherwise qualify for the license based on your driving record. Any of the following will disqualify you from obtaining a Georgia CDL . . .
* If you possess a license from any state other than Georgia.
* If you are currently subject to any disqualification of your commercial driving privilege from Georgia or any other state.
* If your license is currently suspended, revoked, denied, or cancelled.
* If you have a conviction for operating a commercial motor vehicle while impaired in the 24 months immediately preceding application.
* other technical rules, and further restrictions that pertain only to Georgia are covered in detail within the Course.

How do I obtain a Georgia CDL?
1. Show your Georgia driver license.
2. You must take and pass all Georgia examinations that apply to your license class and endorsement requirements.
3. Show proof of social security number.
4. Meet Georgia driver record eligibility requirements as determined by the State.
5. Fill out an application including certifications.
6. Provide a DOT medical certificate and pass the required CDL knowledge and vision tests (BEFORE a CDL Temporary Instruction Permit will be issued).
7. Pay the Georgia CDL fees.
8. Schedule, take, and pass your Georgia CDL skills test.

A separate booklet is included in the Georgia CDL Course package which covers information such as fees, locations, contacts, procedures and other items specific to Georgia for the written and skills examinations for ALL classes of CDL and ALL available endorsements.

What is a CDL "Skills Test" and how do I take it?
A "skills" test is the practical portion of the exam and includes . . .
1. A vehicle inspection test to measure your ability to perform a vehicle safety check.
2. A basic control skills test.
3. A driving test.
The skills test is normally given at an approved third party testing site in your area. This can vary and the latest procedures are indicated in the Georgia CDL Course.

So let's say I get a Georgia CDL. Can I use it Out-of-State?
Yes! It is good throughout the entire United States.

Can my Georgia CDL be suspended or revoked?
Yes, there are MANY reasons that your Georgia CDL can be suspended or revoked. Improper use of alcohol or drugs, traffic violations, and failure to notify top the list. The Course details ALL of the rules regarding suspension or revocation. The point to remember is that alcohol or drug use is not tolerated and your record WILL FOLLOW YOU THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES FOREVER!!!

So let's say that my Georgia CDL is revoked. Can't I just apply for a CDL in another State?
No!!! Those days are gone.

Are there any exemptions to being required to have Georgia CDL?
Yes, a few . . .
1. Active Duty Military . . . with military licenses operating military vehicles.
2. Firefighters . . . meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.
3. Farmers . . . in certain cases.
4. Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non business purposes.

What do the terms Class A, Class B, and Class C mean on my Georgia CDL?
It refers to the type of vehicle that you may operate . . .
CLASS A . . . allows you to operate vehicles which tow trailers or other vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds. A Class "A" license also allows you to operate Class B and C vehicles.
CLASS B . . . allows you to operate single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more OR a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, towing trailers/vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds GVWR or less. A Class "B" license also allows you to operate Class C vehicles.
CLASS C . . .allows you to operate vehicles under 26,001 lbs. GVWR, that would normally not require a CDL; except when they are designed to transport 16 or more persons including the driver; or that carry 15 or less people (including the driver) transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation, or carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding. Applicable endorsements are required.

What are Endorsement Codes and when do I need them on my Georgia CDL?
Endorsements are necessary for certain commercial driving requirements as follows . . .
(T) DOUBLE or TRIPLE TRAILERS.
(P) PASSENGER. For vehicles which are designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver); or those which carry 15 or less people (including the driver) transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
(N) TANK VEHICLES. For vehicles designed to haul liquids or liquefied gases in bulk in permanently mounted tanks or portable tanks rated at 1,000 gallons or more.
(H) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. To carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.
(X) Endorsement code designating a Tank (N) vehicle that carries Hazardous Materials (H).

I'm over 18 years old, but not 21 years old yet. Can I get a Georgia CDL license?
Yes . . . with restrictions. You are limited to INTRAstate driving of commercial vehicles (you cannot drive a commercial truck or bus out of Georgia). You cannot drive a vehicle requiring HAZ MAT placarding, cannot drive double or triple trailer rigs and cannot drive a School Bus with children on board until you turn 21 years of age.