Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerGeorgia CDL Prep
Georgia CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Georgia commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Georgia CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Georgia
In Georgia, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Georgia age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Georgia CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Georgia Department of Driver Services and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Georgia. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Georgia Department of Driver Services issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Georgia Department of Driver Services testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerGeorgia CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Georgia CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Georgia.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Georgia?
Yes. Beginning February 7, 2022, Georgia requires ELDT for first-time Class A or B applicants, CDL upgrades to a higher class, and first-time school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsements. Hazmat ELDT must be completed before the hazmat knowledge test. Providers submit records to DDS electronically (allow up to 48 hours).
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Georgia?
Yes. Use a Medical Examiner on the FMCSA National Registry and verify your self-certification category in DDS Online Services. Electronic medical certificates can take 48–72 hours to appear in the DDS system. Certificates submitted before June 18, 2025 must be updated through the new electronic process.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Georgia?
Plan to bring your valid Georgia driver's license, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, proof of residency if your address changed, and any name-change documents. All documents must be in English. Confirm your medical certificate and self-certification status in DDS Online Services before you visit.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Georgia?
Yes. You must be at least 21. Complete hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test for a first-time endorsement, pass the Georgia DDS hazmat exam, and finish a TSA Security Threat Assessment with fingerprinting. DDS will not add the H endorsement until TSA clearance posts — start the assessment early.
How long is a Georgia CLP valid?
A Georgia Commercial Instructional Permit (CLP) issued on or after July 1, 2021 is valid for 365 days. You must hold it for at least 14 days before applying for a full CDL.
Does Georgia check the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?
Yes. Beginning July 1, 2024, Georgia DDS removes commercial driving privileges (downgrades) for drivers with a prohibited Clearinghouse status until they complete the return-to-duty process. Prohibited drivers may not operate a CMV or hold a CDL or CLP.
How long after a Georgia third-party skills test can I visit DDS?
After a third-party CDL skills test, wait at least 48 business hours before visiting a Customer Service Center. For example, if you tested on Friday, wait until Wednesday to finish the process at a CSC. Skills tests require an appointment.
What do I need to renew a Georgia hazmat endorsement?
Hazmat endorsement renewals require a TSA Threat Assessment and passing the hazmat knowledge exam at a DDS Customer Service Center, plus fingerprinting and a background check as required.
Does PrepCDL cover Georgia?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Georgia CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.