Commercial Driving in Georgia

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required to operate certain big vehicles such as semi trucks, passenger vans, and heavy trucks that tow large loads. Licenses are classified according to weight of the vehicle or the weight of the materials being towed. Class A is a combination of vehicles with a weight higher than 26,001 pounds and the weight of the towed vehicle or vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Class B is the same except the towed vehicles are under 10,000 pounds. Class C refers to passenger vehicles that carry 16 or more passengers; Class C also refers to drivers of hazardous materials.

To obtain a CDL, the driver must be eligible for a regular license in Georgia and pass a CDL knowledge exam. The information on the test can be studied from the CDL Manual from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Topics include:

Air brakes, combination vehicles, school buses, transporting passengers, double and triple trailers, tank vehicles, hauling cargo, and hazardous materials.

Drivers must also pass a vision test but are not specifically required to take a commercial driving education class. However, it is highly recommended since it will give drivers very useful information and might actually be required to work for certain private employers as drivers. In addition to a CDL, drivers will usually have certain endorsements depending upon the type of cargo or passengers they are carrying. The Georgia endorsements are:

Class N - tank vehicles

Class P - passenger carrying vehicles (includes skills test)

Class S - school bus (includes skills test)

Class T - towing a double or triple trailer

Class X - combination of tank vehicles and hazardous materials

Class H - hazardous material (includes TSA threat assessment).

Drivers who are carrying hazardous materials in a commercial motor vehicle need a special HAZMAT endorsement which requires a background check and extra knowledge exams. Drivers who do not pass the air brake component of the knowledge test will have an air brake restriction and will not be allowed to drive vehicles that have them.

Drivers must renew their CDL at least sixty days before the license is due to expire. It must be done in person.