CDL Licensing Information FAQs

Customers applying for a CDL for the first time, upgrading your existing CDL, or adding an endorsement you must first obtain a Commercial Permit (CLP). You must take the required CDL Knowledge Test (written exam) and hold the permit for 14 days before taking the road test.

View the CDL Medical Certification and Self-Certification Process for more information.

All CDL holders must complete and submit a self-certification form to the Department of Driver Services.

You will have to visit a DDS Customer Service Center to complete a new self-certification form. The new CDL license will be issued without the restriction.

Provide the medical examiner’s certificate to DDS and your employer within 15 days after issuance. Your medical examiner’s certificate will be recorded on your driving record. It will become the valid version of your medical certification.

You will be required to self-certify to a single type of commercial operation on your driver's license application form. Based on that self-certification, you may need to provide DDS with a current medical examiner’s certificate and show any variance you may have to obtain or keep your CDL.

Yes. DDS encourages CDL drivers to keep a copy of their valid medical information with them at all times.

Your medical status will be changed to "not certified" until your new medical certifications and applicable variances are provided. DDS will remove all your CDL privileges from your license and you may be required to retest if you remain in a downgraded class for a long period of time.

You must have a new medical examination and provide DDS a new medical examiner's certificate. You are also responsible for applying to FMCSA for a renewal of your variance. If you have a variance issued by DDS, you must apply for renewal of that variance prior to its expiration.

The DDS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. The DDS will then remove all your CDL privileges from your license.

If you already have a medical certificate, it will be valid until it expires. However, if you obtain a medical certificate after May 21, 2014, you will need to go a certified Medical Examiner. Visit the National Registry Website to locate a Certified Medical Examiner.

Yes. All endorsements recognized by FMCSA that are currently on your CDL will transfer with the exception of Hazmat. To keep the hazardous materials endorsement, you will be required to take and pass the hazardous materials knowledge test. If your previous state was not a TSA participating state, you will have to complete an application through TSA and be fingerprinted. You can check to see if your state was a participating state on the TSA web site.

You are responsible for providing DDS with your self-certification of operating status. If required, you must also provide your current medical examiner’s certificate and any variance documents.

Only if you are granted a waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA will only grant waivers to drivers that operate in interstate commerce. The State of Georgia does not issue diabetic waivers.

You need to obtain a new CLP by taking the CDL Knowledge test. You are also required to take the CDL Road Skills test in a commercial passenger vehicle. The road test includes vehicle inspection, basic skills and on-the-road driving test. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle will determine the Class of CDL passenger vehicle that you will be allowed to operate. For example, for a Class B Bus, the GVWR must be more than 26,001 pounds.

You need to obtain a new CLP by taking the CDL Knowledge test. You are also required to take the CDL Road Skills test in a commercial vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. The road test includes vehicle inspection, basic skills and on-the-road driving test

You need to obtain a new CLP by taking the CDL Knowledge test. You are also required to take the CDL Road Skills test in a commercial vehicle with airbrakes. The road test includes vehicle inspection, basic skills and on-the-road driving test.

You need to obtain a new CLP by taking the CDL Knowledge Test. You are also required to take the CDL Road Skills test in a Class A commercial vehicle. The road test includes vehicle inspection, basic skills and on-the-road driving test.

If you took the skills test in a combination vehicle for a class A CDL with the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, you are restricted from operating a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel that requires a class A CDL. You need to obtain a new CLP by taking the CDL Knowledge Test. You will also be required to take the CDL Road Skills Test again in a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel. The road skills test includes vehicle inspection, basic skills and on-the-road driving test.

  1. You must complete the application. The application is on TSA web site.
  2. Get Fingerprinted. A list of all TSA fingerprint locations are on the TSA website. DDS web site has a list of the fingerprint sites located in Georgia only.
  3. Go to any DDS Customer Service Center and take the hazardous materials knowledge test.

NOTE: The results from the fingerprint background check results must be received from TSA before the endorsement can be placed on your license. This process can take approximately 60-90 days.

A $50.00 testing fee will be required for each CDL Road Skills testing attempt.