Georgia · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Georgia CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) issues CDLs under the federal FMCSA framework. Applicants pay a $35 Commercial Application (CAP) fee (valid for 4 test attempts), pass knowledge exams for a $10 Class AP/BP commercial learner's permit (valid 365 days, held minimum 14 days), complete ELDT, then pass the $50-per-attempt road skills test. The Class A/B/C CDL itself costs $32 and is valid 8 years (5 years with an H or X hazmat endorsement).
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Georgia?
Georgia licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer: ELDT since Feb 2022; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H (TSA check), N, P, S, T, X. Georgia specifics: fee schedule, CAP application $35 (4 test attempts), CDL learner's permit (Class AP/BP) $10 valid 365 days, road skills test $50 per attempt, Class A/B/C CDL $32 for 8-year term, endorsements $5 each (one-time, after initial issuance), for-hire endorsement $15, replacement license $10; 14-day CLP holding period; ages 18-20 limited to intrastate 'Georgia only' driving; medical certificates accepted only electronically via FMCSA National Registry since June 18, 2025; restricted seasonal Class B CDL valid 5 years. Reciprocity: CDLs are nationally recognized under the federal framework; out-of-state CDL holders transfer without retesting.
What licenses does Georgia issue?
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) issues the credentials below for this trade. Boards often list further classes for specialties and business licenses; these are the ones this page covers.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class B CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class C CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) (dds.georgia.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Georgia require?
CDL knowledge exams (general knowledge plus class/endorsement exams). Administered by Georgia Department of Driver Services.
CDL road skills test. Administered by Georgia Department of Driver Services. Exam fee $50.
How much does a Georgia CDL truck driver license cost?
Getting a journeyman CDL truck driver license in Georgia costs $117 in board fees, before any training. That is the application fee, the exam fee and the initial license fee charged once, with renewal charged separately below. No board publishes this total, so it is added up here from the schedule it does publish.
- Application fee$35
- Exam fee$50
- Initial license fee$32
- Renewal fee (recurring)$32
Source: fee schedule (dds.georgia.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 8 years (5 years with a hazardous materials H or X endorsement, tied to the TSA threat assessment date); renewable up to 150 days before expiration
Continuing education: None required. Hazmat endorsement renewal requires passing the hazmat knowledge test again plus TSA background check and fingerprints.
Source: renewal requirements (dds.georgia.gov). Verified July 2026.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship pathway; required training is federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA-registered provider, mandatory since Feb 7, 2022 for first-time Class A/B, upgrades, and school bus/passenger/hazmat endorsements. Fee waivers exist for qualifying veterans (military skills waiver) and school bus drivers.
How does Georgia compare to neighboring states?
Requirements stop at the state line, which matters if you live near one or expect to move. Here is what the neighboring states ask of the same trade.
| State | Journeyman hours | Licensing model |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | not published | Statewide |
| Alabama | not published | Statewide |
| Florida | not published | Statewide |
| North Carolina | not published | Statewide |
| South Carolina | not published | Statewide |
| Tennessee | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Apply for a Commercial (CDL) License (Class A, B, C) - Georgia DDS
- Fees and Terms - Georgia DDS
- Renew a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Georgia DDS
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to CDL truck drivers overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) before making decisions. Not legal advice.