1.3.9 Georgia Traffic Laws

When the department determines a road shall have limited access due to a declared state of emergency for inclement winter weather conditions, notice shall be given to motorists through posted signage that motor vehicles must be equipped with tire chains, four-wheel drive with adequate tires for existing condi­tions, or snow tires with a manufacturer's all weather rating in order to proceed.

Commercial motor vehicles shall affix tire chains to each of the outermost drive wheel tires. Bus and motor coach operators shall af­fix tire chains to at least two of the drive wheel tires before proceeding on a road with limited access due to a declared state of emergency for inclement winter weather conditions.

A driver of a motor vehicle who causes an accident or blocks the flow of traffic while failing to comply with the requirements of this code section shall be fined up to $1,000.00.

  • Commercial Motor Vehicles and any other motor vehicle with more than six wheels is prohibited from traveling along GA 400 and interstate routes inside I-285 unless the driver of such motor vehicle is:
    • Engaging in a pick up or delivery to or from a shipper located inside the arc of Interstate 285
    • Traveling to or from such motor vehicle's terminal facility located inside the arc of Interstate 285
    • Traveling to or from a repair facility lo­cated inside the arc of Interstate 285 for service; or
    • Traveling to or from his or her residence which is located inside the arc of Inter­state 285.
  • Cargo theft - GA Code 16-8-22:
    • (a) For pur­poses of this Code section, the term "vehicle" includes, without limitation, any railcar.
    • (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, a person commits the offense of cargo theft when he or she unlawfully takes or, being in lawful possession thereof, unlawfully appropriates:
      1. Any vehicle engaged in commercial transportation of cargo or any appurtenance thereto, including, without limitation, any trailer, semitrailer, container, or other associated equipment, or the cargo being transported therein or thereon, which is the property of another with the intention of depriving such other person of the property, regardless of the manner in which the property is taken or appropriated; or
      2. Any trailer, semitrailer, container, or other associated equipment, or the cargo being transported therein or thereon, which is deployed by or used by a law enforcement agency, which is the property of another with the intention of depriving such other person of the property, regardless of the manner in which the property is taken or appropriated.
    • (c) The value of a vehicle engaged in commercial transportation of cargo and any appurtenance thereto and the cargo being transported which is taken or unlawfully appropriated shall be based on the fair market value of such vehicle, appur­tenances, and cargo taken or unlawfully appropriated.
    • (d)
      1. If the property taken is one or more controlled substances as defined in Code Section 16-13-21 with a collective value of less than $10,000.00, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years, a fine of not less than $10,000.00 nor more than $100,000.00, or both.
      2. If the property taken is one or more controlled substances as defined in Code Section 16-13-21 with a collective value of at least $10,000.00 but less than $1 million, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than 25 years, a fine of not less than $50,000.00 nor more than $1 million, or both.
      3. If the property taken is one or more controlled substances as defined in Code Section 16-13-21 with a collective value of $1 million or more, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten nor more than 30 years, a fine of not less than $100,000.00 nor more than $1 million, or both.
    • (e)
      1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, if the property taken has a collective value of $1,500.00 or less, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished as for a misdemeanor.
      2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, if the property taken has a collective value of more than $1,500.00 but less than $10,000.00, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years, a fine of not less than $10,000.00 nor more than $100,000.00, or both.
      3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, if the property taken has a collective value of at least $10,000.00 but less than $1 million, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than 20 years, a fine of not less than $50,000.00 nor more than $1 million, or both.
      4. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, if the property taken has a collective value of $1 million or more, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten nor more than 20 years, a fine of not less than $100,000.00 not more than $1 million, or both.
    • (f) Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (e) of this Code section, if the property taken is a trailer, semitrailer, container, or other associated equipment, or the cargo being transported therein or thereon, which is deployed by or used by a law enforcement agency, regardless of its value, a person convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years, a fine of not less than $10,000.00 nor more than $100,000.00, or both.
    • (g) A person convicted of a violation of this Code section may also be punished by, if applicable, the revocation of the defendant's commercial driver's license in accordance with Code Section 40-5-151.
Commercial License and Permit Fees
Type Term Fee
CDL License Class A and B 8 years $32
CDL Learner's Permit AP and BP 365 days $10
CDL Application   $35
CDL Road Skills Test (After February 7, 2022, applicants must complete
ELDT before taking a road skills test or the Hazmat endorsement knowledge
exam		   $50
CDL Endorsements "Term of License without Hazmat" $5 each

Note: If you possess a Hazmat Endorsement, it will expire on the Threat Assessment Date which is a maximum of 5 years.

Commercial Classes
Class Purpose
Class A Truck trailer or tractor-semi trailer combination in which the combination weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the unit being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. Class A driver may operate vehicles in Class B and C with 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 AP Class A Commercial Learner's Permit
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 BP Class B Commercial Learner's Permit
Class C 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.
Restriction Codes - Commercial Classifications
E No Manual Transmission Equipped CMV
K Intrastate Commerce Only
L Without Air-Brakes
M No Class A Passenger Buses
N No Class A or B Passenger Buses
O No Tractor Trailer CMV
P No Passengers in CMV bus
V Medical Variance
X No Cargo in CMV Tank Vehicle
Y Hearing Aid Required
Z No Full Air Brake
Commercial Class Endorsements
C For-Hire
P Passenger Vehicles (sixteen or more, including driver)
T Double and / or Triple-Trailers
X Tanker and Hazardous (not qualified for Permits)
H Hazardous Materials Haulers (not qualified for Permits)
S School Bus
N Tank Vehicles
The "Move Over" Law
Where a police car and or other cars are parked on the side of the road, you must move in to the furthest lane away from them
Safely change lanes when approaching any emergency, sanitation, or utility service vehicle.

Georgia's "Move Over" Law helps ensure highway safety for motorists, emergency personnel, active sanitation workers, and utility service workers when their vehicles are stopped on the side of the roadway.

This law was created to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities to police officers, paramedics, firefighters, wrecker operators, and highway maintenance workers by maintaining an open buffer lane between passing highway traffic and authorized roadside emergency vehicles displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights. It was amended to include active sanitation workers and utility service workers who are utilizing traffic cones and / or vehicles displaying flashing lights.

In Georgia, this law requires motorists to:

  • Move Over to the next lane if safely possible;
  • If unable to Move Over, then Slow Down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop.

This law applies to any emergency vehicle, sanitation, or utility service parked on the shoulder of the roadway.

Why was the "Move Over" Law Passed?
  • Because it saves lives. The "Move Over" Law helps maintain traffic flow and protect the safety of motorists, emergency personnel, active sanitation workers, and utility service workers.
  • Vehicles parked on the side of the roadway are vulnerable to crashes even when emergency lights are flashing.
  • More police officers are killed by traffic crashes than in any other line-of-duty cause of death. More than one fourth of those killed are struck by passing vehicles while they work outside their patrol cars.
Move Over! It's the Law!
How does the "Move Over" Law make a difference?
  • Thirty percent of all crashes occur as the result of another crash.
  • Providing a buffer lane for these vehicles parked on the roadway shoulder actually reduces the risk of another crash.
  • When the required clearance is given to roadside these types of vehicles, the margin of safety is increased, not only for public safety, emergency personnel, active sanitation workers, and utility service workers, but for motorists and their passengers as well.
It's the Law!
  • Violations can result in a fine of no more than $500 for the first offense.
  • The "Move Over" Law is another reason to slow down on the highways and, interstates, and roadways.