1-1-.10 Knowledge Exam and Endorsement Tests
(1) Applicants attempting to obtain a CDL and/or CLP of any class
shall be required to take and pass the CDL general knowledge exam.
(2) Applicants must complete ELDT prescribed by the FMCSA prior to
obtaining a CDL.
(3) Applicants for all classes of CDL, including CLPs, must receive a grade
of at least 80 percent out of a possible 100 percent on the appropriate
knowledge exam(s). Exam scores are considered valid for one year.
(a) The CLP must be valid for no more than 365 days from the date
of issuance. Any renewal or extension of this term requires the
CLP holder to retake the general and endorsement knowledge
exams.
(b) The issuance of a CLP is a precondition to the initial issuance of
a CDL. The issuance of a CLP is also a precondition to the
upgrade of a CDL if the upgrade requires a skills test.
(c) The only endorsements that will be allowed on a CLP are the “P”
(passenger), and “S” (school bus). The Passenger endorsement
will require that the CLP have a “P” restriction which prohibits
passengers in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) bus.
(d) The “N” (tank) endorsement will require that the CLP have an
“X” restriction which prohibits any cargo in the CMV tank vehicle.
(e) The CLP holder is not eligible to take the CDL skills test in the
first 14 days after initial issuance of the CLP.
(4) Out of state applicants who move to Georgia and have a CDL issued
from their prior state of residence will be required to apply for a
Georgia CDL by completing a CDL application and paying the
appropriate fee. However, these licenses will be exchanged one for one.
For applicants with an “H” endorsement, if the applicant’s current,
unexpired TSA threat assessment can be verified electronically, the
endorsement will be added to the Georgia CDL; otherwise, applicants
will be required to pass the hazardous materials knowledge exam to
maintain this endorsement. If applicants apply for a higher class of
CDL or additional endorsements, the necessary test(s) and applicable
fees will be required.
(5) Applicants for CDLs and CLPs of classes A and B, whose vehicles are
equipped with air brakes, must pass the air brakes test.
(6) Applicants are required to pay the fee for issuance of a Class
A or B CLP prior to attempting the written exam(s) required
for such permit. If the applicant does not achieve a passing score,
the issuance fee shall be retained by the Department as a testing fee,
and such fee shall be pre-paid by the applicant on each successive
attempt until a passing score is achieved at which time such fee shall
be considered the fee for issuance of the CLP.
(7) Applicants must pass the written exam and skills test, if required
for the specific endorsement sought before the endorsement
can be applied to the license. A “P” endorsement may be applied
to a commercial Class A or B CLP upon satisfactory completion
of the applicable written exam. An “S” endorsement shall be applied
to any class CLP and may only be applied to CDLs upon satisfactory
completion of both the written exam and skills test for such
endorsement.
(8) The initial license issuance fee of a CDL, regardless of how many
endorsements are added, will be $32.00 for a term of eight years.
(9) Applicants will be required to pay a $10.00 fee for each attempt on
the knowledge exam(s).
(10) Applicants must also pay a commercial application fee of $35.00
prior to knowledge testing, unless the applicant is exempt from
this fee due to being a veteran or being sponsored by a school
district. This fee must be repaid if the applicant fails the knowledge
exam four times.
(11) After the initial CDL issuance, additional endorsements may be added
upon passing the test(s) for the additional endorsements requested.
A fee of $5.00 for each additional endorsement may be assessed,
plus a $32.00 license renewal fee.
(12) To add the Passenger “P” endorsement to a license the applicant must
take and pass both the appropriate knowledge exam and the skills
test in the type of bus the applicant plans to operate (i.e. transit
bus, church bus, school bus).
(13) Upon passing the required knowledge exam(s) an individual will be
issued a CLP. A CLP is considered a valid CDL for purposes of behind
-the-wheel training on public roads or highways, if all of the following
minimum conditions are met:
(a) The CLP holder is at all times accompanied by the holder of a
valid CDL who has the proper CDL class and endorsement(s)
necessary to operate the CMV.
(b) The CDL holder must at all times be physically present in the
front seat of the vehicle next to the CLP holder or, in the case
of a passenger vehicle, directly behind or in the first row
behind the driver and must have the CLP holder under
observation and direct supervision.
(c) The CLP holder holds a valid driver’s license issued by the
same jurisdiction that issued the CLP.
(d) The CLP holder does not operate a CMV transporting
hazardous materials as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 383.5.
(14) When issued to a CDL holder, a CLP serves as authorization
for accompanied behind-the-wheel training in a CMV for
which the holder’s current CDL is not valid.
(15) All applicants must meet the medical requirement of
49 C.F.R. § 391.41 and provide a copy of the DOT Medical
Certificate at the time of application for initial issuance of a
CLP, renewal of a CDL or transfer of a CDL from another
state unless exempt under CDL Rule 1-1-.07.
Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 40-5-156, 40-16-5(c), 49 C.F.R. § 383.133(c)(6)(ii),
49 C.F.R. § 383.135, 49 C.F.R. § 390.9.
History: Original Rule entitled "1-1-.08 Knowledge Test and Endorsement Tests.
Amended" adopted. Effective Feb. 8, 2017.
Amended: New title "1-1-.10 Knowledge Exam and Endorsement Tests";
Effective Nov. 9, 2022.