You can apply for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in Georgia at 18 years of age.  Restrictions apply until you are 21.

Effective June 18, 2025, all CDL Medical Certificates (med certs) submitted to FMCSA by the CDL customer’s Medical Examiner will be transmitted electronically to DDS. Therefore, DDS will no longer accept med certs by mail, fax, email, online, or in-person at DDS Customer Service Centers (CSCs) after June 18, 2025.

To update or renew your medical certificate and/or medical variance, first, receive an examination performed by a Medical Examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

The new medical certificate will be electronically submitted to DDS by FMCSA via the National Registry. You are not required to provide a paper med cert to DDS.

Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Medical Certification Integration Final Rule, National registry II (NRII).

  1. Basic Requirements

    New Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

     

    Note: Beginning February 7, 2022, ALL entry-level drivers will be subject to the requirements in the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. This includes drivers applying for a Class A or B for the first time, upgrading an existing CDL to a higher class, or adding a new School Bus, Passenger, or Hazmat Endorsement.

    Entry-Level Driver Training

    • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply. 

    • Applicants between the age of 18 to 21 will be restricted to drive in Georgia only (Intrastate). On or after the 21st birthday, the applicant must go into any Customer Service Center to have the "Georgia Only" Restriction removed.  

    • All applicants must hold a valid regular Georgia Driver's License. 

    • If applying for the first time or upgrading, you must have a valid Class AP or BP Instructional Permit (CLP). You are required to hold your CLP for 14 days before applying for a full CDL.  NOTE: A CLP issued on or after July 1, 2021, will be valid for 365 days.

    • There are three classes of Commercial licenses. The Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) and the type of vehicle determine the class of commercial driver's license being issued.    

    • Class A

      Truck trailer or tractor-semitrailer combination in which the combined weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the unit being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. Class A drivers may operate Class B and C vehicles with the required endorsements. Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license before obtaining a Class A and be at least 18 years of age. A single driver’s license, with a combination of classifications, will be issued to qualified persons who wish to drive various types of vehicles.

    • Class B

      Single vehicles weighing 26,001 or more pounds and the unit being towed is less than 10,000 pounds. A class B driver may operate motor vehicles included within Class C. Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license prior to obtaining a Class B driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age.

    • Class C

      Commercial Driver’s Licenses are issued only if the vehicle is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers (including the driver), or utilized to transport hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding.

  2. Plan Ahead

    Before visiting your Customer Service Center please submit the License/ID/Permit Form. This form is required when visiting a DDS Customer Service Center. It helps prevent fraud and prepares you for your visit ahead of time. Your information will remain on file for 60 days. After 60 days you will need to complete and submit your information again before visiting the center.

    Submit Form

    If taking an Automobile, Motorcycle Skills, or CDL Road Test, don't forget to Schedule a Road Test Appointment after submitting your information.

  3. Get the Required Documents

    A. Identifying Documentation

    ⚠️All documents must contain the first and last name of the customer.

    You must present documents that verify your identity, residential address, and U.S. citizenship or lawful presence.

    ⚠️ Your full Social Security Number must be provided on the required online License/ID/Permit Form.

    Required documents for a REAL ID–compliant license or ID are listed below. You may also download a printable checklist PDF for reference.

    • Proof of Identity - US Citizens (1 Document)
      Bring 1 of the following documents:
      • U.S. Birth Certificate/Amended Birth Certificate – Original or certified copy (Includes U.S territories and the District of Columbia).  Must have a raised seal and be issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health.
      • Unexpired U.S. Passport or Passport Card
      • Official Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by U.S. Department of State (FS-240, FS-545 or DS-1350)
      • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570) -  certified copy
      • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561) - certified copy
    • Proof of Name Change (Any and All Name Changes)

      If the name on your identity document differs from your current legal name, you must provide document(s) from the following list to show your name change history:

      • U.S. Passport or Passport Card
      • Divorce Decree – Stating the name change - certified copy
      • Court Order for Legal Name Change – certified copy
      • Court Adoption Document – certified copy
      • Marriage Certificate/License – certified copy
      • Marriage License Application - certified copy
      IMPORTANT
      • Customers who hold a valid GA Driver's License or ID Card are to present the original or certified document which supports the most recent name change.
    • Proof of Social Security Number (If Required)

      If your Social Security Number failed to verify through the system, you will be required to provide any of the following documents:

      • Social Security card – Original or copy
      • Print-out from SSA with name and full SSN
      • W-2 or 1099 form from employer showing name and full SSN
      • Paycheck stub showing name and full SSN
      • SSA-1099 or Non-SSA-1099 form showing name and full SSN
      • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Letter with name and full SSN
      • Federal/State Tax Return with Applicant’s name and full SSN. Also acceptable for proof of SSN for Dependents
      • Medicare / Medicaid card with Applicant’s name and full SSN
      • Selective Service Notice with Applicant’s name and full SSN
      • Military Discharge Papers (DD-214, Mbr copy 4) or Military ID with Applicant’s name & full SSN, Disabled American Veteran Card (DAV), DS-516, Military Leave Orders

      If the above fails to resolve the SSN issue, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

      NOTE: Customers can redact or cross out non-essential information on Proof of Social Security Number documents such as:

      • account numbers
      • financial figures
      • or other information that does not obstruct your name and SSN
    • Proof of Georgia Residency (2 Documents)
      Bring 2 from any of the following document categories:

      The two (2) documents must be from separate sources or separate accounts (please redact account numbers).

      The documents must show your name and current residential address. P.O. Boxes do not prove residency.

      • Household Information – From a current or preceding calendar year – Mortgage, payment coupon, signed lease agreement, deed, HUD settlement statement, escrow statement, property tax bill, Homeowners insurance policy or premium bill, title search documentation, or Military housing agreement letter. Current (dated within the past six (6) months) valid rental contract/agreement, rent payment receipt for a home, apartment, mobile home, dorm, extended-stay motel.
      • Any physical postmarked mail delivered by the U.S.P.S. dated within the past six (6) months
      • Documents Issued by Federal, State, or Local Governments – From a current or preceding calendar year – Social Security documentation, Annual Benefits statement, Numident record, Social Security check. Government assistance documents such as Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance claims, Disability, WIC, Georgia or Federal Income Tax Return or refund check, Voter Registration card, unexpired firearms license, unexpired Merchant Marine license, I-797A, I-797C, correspondence from DDS, USPS Change of Address confirmation, Jury Summons, Military discharge benefit statement, and other documents issued by Federal/State/Municipal government.
      • Financial Statements - Dated within the past six (6) months, please redact account numbers. Financial statement for bank/credit union account, investment account, credit card account, or loan/credit financing.
      • Utility Bills – Dated within the past six (6) months. Utility bill for services installed at your residential address (water, sewer, gas, electricity, cable/satellite TV, Internet, telephone/cell phone, or garbage collection). Please redact the account numbers.
      • Motor Vehicle Information – Vehicle Registration or Title, Insurance policy, or Insurance Card with the address displayed for the current year or dated within the past six (6) months.
      • Employer Documentation – From current or preceding calendar year – Employer verification including paycheck, paycheck stub, a letter from employer on company letterhead, or W-2 form.
      • School Records – School record/transcript for the current or prior school year, report card, student loan documentation, or form DS-1.
      • Medical Statements – From a current or preceding calendar year – Health insurance statement, explanation of benefits (EOB) for a claim, or a health care bill/invoice.
      • Other accepted documents: Georgia Department of Community Supervision Residence Verification Form; Refugee Address Verification Affidavit (DS-20); letter from a shelter, half-way house, or other similar facilities on letterhead, dated within the past six (6) months. **Accepted as stand-alone proof of residency.
    • Proof of Identity & Lawful Status - Non-US Citizens
      Bring 1 document for Proof of Identity and 1 document for Proof of Lawful Status (if required). 

      NOTE: Georgia Department of Driver Services does not accept translated documents. If a non-US Citizen establishes residency in Georgia, he or she must obtain a Georgia driver's license within thirty (30) days.

      DDS will only issue a driver's license in a name that exactly matches the original immigration documents. 

       

      Required Identification Documents for Non-Citizens

      First Immigration Document

      (For Proof of Identity)

      Second Immigration Document

      (For Proof of Lawful Status)

      Unexpired Foreign Passport with U.S. Visa

      (Immigration Status A, B, E, H, I, L, O, P, Q, R or S)

      		Valid I-94 or I797A Notice of Action

      Unexpired Foreign Passport with U.S. Visa

      (Immigration Status F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 or M-2)

      I-20 (For F-1, F-2, M-1, or M-2 Status)

      or

      DS-2019 (for J-1 or J-2 Status) and Valid I-94 or I-797A Notice of Action

      Unexpired Passport with I-94 or I-551 with Asylee or Refugee Status/StampNot Required
      I-766 with Category Code: C08Not Required
      I-766 with Temporary Protection StatusNot Required
      I-766 without Temporary Protection StatusUnexpired Foreign Passport
      I-766 with Category Codes C09, C10, C18, & A11Proof of Pending Application to Adjust Status - I-797C Notice of Action (dated within the last 5 years) with Case Types I-485, NACARA or Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR 42B). In some cases other documentation issued by USCIS, DHS, or other Federal agencies may be acceptable to demonstrate lawful status as defined by 6 C.F.R. 37.3 and as determined by USCIS.
      I-551 or I551 Stamp with Photo on I-94 formNot Required
      I-551 StampUnexpired Foreign Passport

       

    Downloadable Guides

    B. Additional Requirements & Information

    • All documents must be in English.
    • All applicants must be able to read and understand the English Language.
    • Must operate the appropriate class of vehicle and be accompanied by a person who is licensed to drive that class of vehicle, who is fit and capable of exercising control of the vehicle, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.

    C. Notes


    ⚠️The $35 CAP fee is valid for 4 test attempts. After the fourth failed attempt, a new CAP and the $35 fee are required. Also, if 360 days pass in between test attempts, a new CAP and the $35 fee are required.

  4. At your visit

    Be prepared to:

  5. Related Links