Georgia CDL Requirements Guide

This page summarizes what Georgia requires of Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) applicants, with links to the official government sources. Requirements come from Georgia's licensing agencies and federal regulations; FLO LLC's own training standards appear separately below. Sources were checked on 2026-10-13. Where anything here differs from the agency, the agency controls.

• Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

Official Georgia CDL Manual

Georgia DDS CDL Study Guide (October 2023, edited June 2025), including Modernized Sections 11M and 12M — published by the state. FLO LLC links to the state's own document; it does not copy or host it.

READ GEORGIA CDL MANUAL

Opens the official PDF in a new tab. If it does not open, use the state's manual page: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — manual page.

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) requirements

• A Commercial Instructional Permit (CLP) is required when applying for a CDL, upgrading a CDL, or adding endorsements. A CLP issued on or after July 1, 2021 is valid for 365 days.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner's permit

CDL eligibility and age requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18. All applicants must be able to read and understand the English language.
• Federal rule: a driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers

Interstate versus intrastate driving

• Applicants between 18 and 21 may obtain a CDL but are restricted to driving in Georgia only (intrastate).
• Federal rule: a driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).
• Every CLP and CDL applicant must self-certify one of four types of commercial driving — non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate — and non-excepted drivers must provide a current medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Identity and residency documentation

• Submit the online License/ID/Permit Form (your full Social Security Number must be provided on it) before visiting a Customer Service Center. Present documents that verify your identity, two proofs of Georgia residency showing your name and current address, and U.S. citizenship or lawful presence. All documents must be in English.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page

Legal-presence requirements

• Federal rule: CLP and CDL applicants must prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or qualify under the federal non-domiciled rules (49 CFR 383.71).
• Confirm Georgia's current procedure on the official Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) page linked below.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Medical certification and self-certification

• Provide your medical card and any medical waivers if required. Effective June 18, 2025, CDL medical certificates submitted to FMCSA by your medical examiner are transmitted electronically to DDS.
• Every CLP and CDL applicant must self-certify one of four types of commercial driving — non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate — and non-excepted drivers must provide a current medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Knowledge examinations required

• Class A applicants take the General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles knowledge tests, plus Air Brakes for an air-brake vehicle (Georgia manual, Section 1.1). Endorsements require their own tests.
• Federal standard: at least 80% correct is required to pass each knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 383.135 — Passing knowledge and skills tests

Steps to obtain the CLP

• 1. Study the official Georgia CDL manual (link above).
• 2. Gather the identity, residency, Social Security and legal-presence documents the agency lists, and complete your self-certification (and medical examination if you are non-excepted).
• 3. Pass the required knowledge tests with the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
• 4. Receive your CLP.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page

CLP holding period

• CDL drivers must hold the Commercial Instructional Permit for 14 days before applying for a full CDL.
• Federal rule: a CLP holder may not take the CDL skills test during the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued (49 CFR 383.25(e)).

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner's permit

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements

• Beginning February 7, 2022, all entry-level drivers are subject to the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training regulations.
• Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) applies to anyone obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrading to Class A or B, or obtaining a first school bus, passenger or hazardous materials endorsement (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F).
• ELDT has two parts — theory (classroom/online) and behind-the-wheel (range and public road) — and both must be completed with providers listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, which reports your completion electronically before you may take the skills test.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Behind-the-wheel training requirements

• ELDT behind-the-wheel training must be taken from a behind-the-wheel provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, on a range and on public roads, in a vehicle of the class you are training for. The instructor decides when you are proficient; federal rules set no minimum number of hours (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F, Appendix A).
• FLO LLC's online course is ELDT THEORY only. It does not provide behind-the-wheel training.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Skills examination procedures

• Schedule CDL road test appointments through DDS; DDS also authorizes CDL third-party testers.
• The skills test has three parts taken in order — vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. The Georgia manual's basic control section describes the Modernized exercises: Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking and Reverse Offset Backing.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — Roadtest page · Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page

Licensing office and scheduling resources

• Use the official Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) pages linked below to find offices, schedule tests and confirm current procedures.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page · Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — Roadtest page · Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — Medcert page · Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — Program page

Steps to receive your Class A CDL

• 1. Hold your CLP for at least the required holding period (federal minimum 14 days).
• 2. Complete ELDT theory (for example, FLO LLC's online course) and ELDT behind-the-wheel training with providers on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
• 3. Pass the three-part skills test with the Georgia Department of Driver Services or an authorized tester.
• 4. Obtain your Class A CDL from the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Sources: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — CLP page