Georgia CDL Requirements
Table of Contents
- What You Need to Get a CDL in Georgia
- Age Requirements: Intrastate vs. Interstate
- How to Get Your Georgia CDL Permit (CLP)
- ELDT Training Requirements
- DOT Physical and Medical Card Requirements
- Required Documents Checklist
- Written Tests and Skills Tests
- Class A vs. Class B CDL Requirements
- How Long Does It Take to Get a CDL in Georgia?
- Where to Get CDL Training in Georgia
- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Need to Get a CDL in Georgia
To get a CDL in Georgia, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid Georgia driver’s license, pass the CDL general knowledge test to earn your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), complete ELDT training from a federally approved provider, pass a DOT physical, and pass the CDL skills test at a qualifying DDS location. Most students are fully licensed and road-ready within four to six weeks.
Age Requirements: Intrastate vs. Interstate
Georgia follows the same federal age framework as every other state, with one notable piece of state-specific language worth knowing:
- 18 years old — minimum age to apply for a Georgia CDL; drivers 18–20 receive a “Georgia Only” restriction, limiting operations to within the state (intrastate)
- 21 years old — minimum age to drive across state lines (interstate) or transport hazardous materials
If you’re between 18 and 20, you can complete your full CDL training, earn your license, and begin working commercially in Georgia right away. Once you turn 21, you simply visit any Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) Customer Service Center to have the “Georgia Only” restriction removed — no additional testing is required. This makes Georgia one of the most accessible states for young drivers looking to launch a trucking career early.
How to Get Your Georgia CDL Permit (CLP)
Georgia refers to the CDL learner’s permit as a Commercial Instructional Permit (CLP) — sometimes also called a Class AP or BP Instructional Permit depending on the license class you’re pursuing. You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you are eligible to take the CDL skills test.
Steps to get your Georgia CLP:
- Study the Georgia Commercial Driver’s License Manual (available through the DDS website or at any Customer Service Center)
- Visit a DDS Customer Service Center
- Bring all required identity documents (see checklist below)
- Pass the vision exam
- Pass the CDL General Knowledge test and any applicable endorsement knowledge tests
- Pay the $35 Commercial Application (CAP) fee, which covers up to four test attempts
- Have your photo taken and receive your CLP
While holding your CLP, you may only operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) under the direct supervision of a licensed CDL holder of the same class or higher, seated in the front passenger seat.
Important: All CDL written knowledge exams must begin at least 45 minutes before your DDS Customer Service Center closes. Plan your visit accordingly. If you fail a knowledge test, you may retake it the following business day.
At TransTech, earning your CLP is part of the program. Students obtain theirs in week one, so no prior permit is needed to get started.
ELDT Training Requirements
Federal law requires all first-time CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through a school listed on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) before they can take the CDL skills test. In Georgia, this requirement has applied to all Class A and Class B CDL applicants since February 7, 2022. It also applies to drivers upgrading an existing CDL to a higher class or adding a School Bus, Passenger, or HazMat endorsement for the first time.
Training from a school not listed on the TPR does not satisfy this requirement. Always verify your school’s registration at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov before enrolling.
What ELDT covers:
- Basic vehicle control and gear shifting
- Backing, turning, and docking maneuvers
- Pre-trip vehicle inspection procedures
- On-road driving skills and hazard awareness
- Federal safety regulations and Hours of Service basics
TransTech’s Atlanta CDL program is fully ELDT-compliant and registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
Learn more about ELDT training requirements →
DOT Physical and Medical Card Requirements
All Georgia CDL applicants must obtain a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate from a provider listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Georgia implemented a key change effective June 18, 2025: all medical certificates must now be submitted electronically to DDS directly by the medical examiner through FMCSA’s National Registry. DDS no longer accepts med certs by mail, fax, email, or in-person submission.
This means you do not need to hand-deliver your medical certificate to DDS — but you do need to confirm with your medical examiner that they are transmitting it electronically through the correct federal channel before you proceed with your CDL application.
What the DOT physical evaluates:
- Vision (minimum 20/40 acuity in each eye, with or without correction)
- Hearing and balance
- Blood pressure and cardiovascular health
- Neurological and musculoskeletal function
- Urinalysis for underlying health conditions
Your self-certification category — the type of commerce you intend to operate in — will determine whether a medical certificate is required. Your DDS Customer Service Center or CDL school can help you choose the right category.
Learn more about the DOT Physical →
At TransTech, your DOT physical is built into the training schedule, so no prior appointment is needed.
Required Documents Checklist
Bring the following to your DDS Customer Service Center when applying for your Georgia CLP or CDL:
- Valid, unexpired Georgia driver’s license
- Proof of identity (U.S. passport, birth certificate, or equivalent)
- Proof of Georgia residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, etc.)
- Social Security card or documentation of Social Security number
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status
- DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (transmitted electronically to DDS by your medical provider)
- $35 Commercial Application (CAP) fee (covers up to 4 test attempts)
- $50 road test fee (paid when scheduling your skills test)
Fee note: The $35 CAP fee is waived for veterans with Combat status on their driver’s license and for qualifying school bus drivers. See Georgia’s CDL Military Waivers page for details.
CDL Written Tests and Skills Tests in Georgia
Written (Knowledge) Tests
All Georgia CDL applicants must pass the CDL General Knowledge test at a DDS Customer Service Center. Additional knowledge tests are required based on CDL class and endorsements:
- Combination Vehicles (required for Class A)
- Air Brakes (if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes)
- Passenger (P), School Bus (S), HazMat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T) — endorsement-specific
Endorsement knowledge tests can be taken on the same visit as the general knowledge test. The $35 CAP fee covers all knowledge test attempts up to a maximum of four. If you exhaust all four attempts or let 360 days pass between attempts, a new CAP application and $35 fee are required.
Skills Tests
After holding your CLP for at least 14 days and completing ELDT training, you can schedule your CDL road test. Georgia CDL skills tests are available at specific DDS exam stations only — not all DDS locations offer road testing. Designated testing locations include Albany, Between, Brunswick, Cumming, Dalton, Gainesville, Jackson, Milledgeville, Rome, and Thompson.
Road test appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling (678) 413-8500.
The skills test has three components, completed in this order:
- Vehicle Inspection Test — demonstrate your ability to identify safety defects before driving
- Basic Control Skills Test — straight-line backing, offset backing, and alley docking
- On-Road Driving Test — intersections, lane changes, turning, stopping, and general traffic management
You must provide a commercial motor vehicle that matches the class of CDL you are testing for. TransTech Atlanta will help you prepare for and coordinate your skills test at the appropriate DDS exam station near you.
Explore CDL Testing at TransTech →
Class A vs. Class B CDL Requirements in Georgia
Both Class A and Class B CDLs in Georgia follow the same licensing process — CLP, ELDT, DOT physical, knowledge tests, and skills test — but they qualify you to operate different types of commercial vehicles.
Class A CDL
- Required for combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs or more, where the towed unit has a GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs
- Covers tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, flatbeds, and long-haul freight vehicles
- With the appropriate endorsements, a Class A CDL also permits operation of Class B and C vehicles
Class B CDL
- Required for single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, towing a unit with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less
- Covers straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks, and heavy commercial delivery vehicles
Not sure which class fits your career goals? Compare Class A and Class B CDL programs →
How Long Does It Take to Get a CDL in Georgia?
Most students complete the Georgia CDL process in four to six weeks. Here’s a general timeline:
| Step | Estimated Time |
| Study and pass CLP knowledge tests | 1–2 weeks |
| Hold CLP (minimum required wait) | 14 days |
| Complete ELDT training | 4 weeks (full-time) |
| Schedule and pass skills test | 1–3 days after training |
| CDL issued | Same day upon passing skills test |
Georgia issues your CDL on the same day you pass your skills test — no waiting for mail delivery. At TransTech Atlanta, full-time students complete ELDT training in four weeks. Part-time weekend programs take approximately eight weekends. Because the CLP holding period and ELDT training can run concurrently, most students are driving commercially in right around a month.
Where to Get CDL Training in Georgia
TransTech Atlanta offers ELDT-compliant Class A and Class B CDL training with small class sizes, certified instructors, and modern equipment. Upon completing your program, you’ll schedule your skills test at the appropriate DDS exam station — TransTech will help you prepare and coordinate every step of the way. Conveniently located southwest of the city off Interstate 85, the Atlanta campus is well-positioned to serve drivers throughout the greater Atlanta metro and surrounding communities.
TransTech Georgia Campus:
- Atlanta, GA — serving the greater Atlanta metro area and surrounding communities
View campus details, schedule, and enrollment information →
Frequently Asked Questions: Georgia CDL Requirements
How much does it cost to get a CDL in Georgia?
Georgia state fees total approximately $127, which includes the $35 Commercial Application (CAP) fee and the $50 road test fee, plus licensing fees. The CAP fee covers up to four test attempts. CDL school tuition varies by program — contact TransTech Atlanta for current tuition and financial assistance options.
What is the “Georgia Only” restriction on a CDL?
Drivers who earn their CDL between the ages of 18 and 20 receive a “Georgia Only” restriction, which limits them to intrastate (within Georgia) commercial driving. Once you turn 21, you visit any DDS Customer Service Center to have the restriction removed — no retesting required. This restriction does not affect your ability to work in most local and regional trucking roles within the state.
How long is a Georgia CDL valid?
Georgia CDLs are valid for eight years, one of the longest renewal cycles in the country. The exception is CDLs with a HazMat endorsement, which expire based on the TSA Security Threat Assessment cycle rather than the standard eight-year term.
Does Georgia have a military CDL waiver program?
Yes — and it’s one of the strongest in the nation. Georgia offers both a Military CDL Skills Test Waiver and an Even Exchange Program. The Even Exchange Program, endorsed by FMCSA, allows qualifying Army, Navy, and Air Force service members with specific occupational classifications to exchange their military license for a Georgia CDL without taking the knowledge test. Combined with the skills test waiver, eligible veterans may obtain their CDL without completing either test. The application takes approximately 30 days to process, and fees are waived for veterans with Combat status. Contact a DDS Customer Service Center with your discharge paperwork and service records for eligibility details.
What endorsements can I add to my Georgia CDL?
Georgia CDL holders can add endorsements for Hazardous Materials (H), Passengers (P), School Bus (S), Tanker Vehicles (N), Doubles/Triples (T), and a combined Tank/HazMat (X) endorsement. Each requires passing an additional knowledge test. The HazMat endorsement also requires TSA fingerprinting and a Security Threat Assessment before DDS will issue the endorsement. Endorsements added during initial CDL issuance are free.
Where can I take the Georgia CDL skills test?
Not all DDS offices offer CDL road testing. Designated road test locations include Albany, Between, Brunswick, Cumming, Dalton, Gainesville, Jackson, Milledgeville, Rome, and Thompson. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling (678) 413-8500. TransTech Atlanta prepares students thoroughly for all three components of the skills test before they head to their DDS exam station appointment.
Does Georgia accept out-of-state CLPs?
No. If you move to Georgia while holding a CLP from another state, you must surrender your out-of-state license and apply for a Georgia CLP. You’ll need to provide a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from your previous state, dated within the last 60 days, if that license has been lost or stolen.
What is the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and does it affect my CDL application in Georgia?
The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) is a federal database that tracks CDL holders with drug and alcohol violations. As of July 1, 2024, Georgia DDS began removing commercial driving privileges from drivers with a “prohibited” Clearinghouse status. If you have a prohibited status, you cannot hold a Georgia CDL or CLP until you complete the federal Return-to-Duty (RTD) process.
How do I submit my medical certificate to Georgia DDS?
Effective June 18, 2025, Georgia no longer accepts paper medical certificates in person, by mail, fax, or email. Your medical examiner must submit your certificate electronically to DDS through FMCSA’s National Registry. Confirm this with your examiner at the time of your appointment — you do not need to deliver the certificate yourself.
Ready to Start Your CDL Training in Georgia?
Getting your Georgia CDL starts with enrolling in the right program. TransTech’s Atlanta campus offers ELDT-compliant CDL training in a professional environment with small classes, certified instructors, and on-site testing. Full-time programs get you road-ready in just four weeks — and with Georgia issuing your CDL the same day you pass your skills test, there’s nothing standing between you and your new career.
Requirements and fees are subject to change. Always verify current information with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) at dds.georgia.gov before beginning your application.