1-1-.04 Commercial Driver's License Exemptions

(1)   The following drivers are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a
      commercial driver's license prior to operating a commercial motor vehicle:

      (a)   Active-duty military personnel; members of the military reserves;
             members of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on
             full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time national guard
             training, and national guard military technicians (civilians who are
             required to wear military uniforms); and active-duty U.S. Coast Guard
             personnel. This exception is not applicable to U.S. Reserve technicians.

     (b)   Farmers, firefighters, emergency response vehicle drivers, and drivers
            removing snow and ice while performing their official duties. These
            vehicles include fire trucks, hook and ladder trucks, foam or water
            transport trucks, police SWAT team vehicles, ambulances, or other
            vehicles that are used in response to emergencies.

     (c)   Farm vehicle operators, provided, the vehicle is:

            1.   Controlled and operated by a farmer, farm employee, or farmer's
                  family member;

            2.   Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm
                  supplies, or both, to or from a farm;

            3.   Not used in the operations of a for-hire motor carrier, except for an
                  exempt motor carrier as defined in 49 C.F.R.   390.5;

            4.   Used within 150 miles of the farmer's farm;

            5.   Registered in this state or another state;

            6.   Must be equipped with either a license plate or possess such other
                  special designation issued by the state where such vehicle is 
                  registered; the license plate or special designation must indicate 
                  that such vehicle is a covered farm vehicle; and

           7.    A Farm Related Service Industry Waiver is required.

                 (i)   A Farm Waiver is a restricted CDL for certain drivers in 
                       farm-related service industries.

                (ii)   Restricted CDL holders are limited to operating Class B and 
                       C vehicles.

               (iii)   Restricted CDL holders may not hold an unrestricted CDL at 
                       the same time.

               (iv)   Farm-related industries include:

                      (I)   Agri-chemical businesses

                     (II)   Custom harvesters

                    (III)   Farm retail outlets and suppliers

                   (IV)   Livestock feeders

     (d)   Operators of recreational vehicles;

(2)   Drivers who are exempted from having a commercial driver's 
       license shall obtain licensure in the following classes of 
       non-commercial licenses:

       (a)   Class E - Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 
              26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the 
              vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds

       (b)   Class F - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 
              pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle 
              with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds

       (c)   Applicants applying for a Class E or F noncommercial 
              license must furnish an affidavit in lieu of a road test 
              showing a minimum of three months or 3,000 miles 
             driving experience in a vehicle which represents
             that class or obtain a permit.

(3)   If members of the National Guard, military personnel, 
       firefighters and other operators of emergency equipment, 
       farmers, and operators of recreational vehicles apply for a 
       commercial driver's license, they will be required to pay
      the application, road skills test, and licensing fees unless:

       (a)   They hold or have held a veteran's driver's license.

       (b)   Submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from 
              Active Duty (DD-214). Alternate prescribed forms, 
              such as the DS-516, can be submitted to provide 
              benefits to a surviving spouse or U.S. allies.

(4)   A school bus driver employed by a city, county, state, 
       or school system must pay applicable fees for 
       application, road skills test, and licensing, however an 
       application fee waiver from the school system may be 
       submitted.

Authority: O.C.G.A.  §§  40-5-156, 40-5-142, 49 C.F.R. 383.3, 49 C.F.R. § 390.9.
History: Original Rule entitled "1-1-.02 Commercial Driver's License Exemptions.
Amended." adopted. Effective Feb. 8, 2017.
Amended: New title "1-1-.04 Commercial Driver's License Exemptions";
Effective Nov. 9, 2022.