1.2.2 Skills Tests

Each person applying for a Class A, B, or C commercial driver's license shall pay the applicable license fee at the time that he or she schedules his or her appointment for said skills test. If said person fails to appear for his or her scheduled skills test appointment the license fee paid shall be considered a testing fee and retained by the department. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §40-5-25 and DDS Rule 1-1-.10(7), the $50.00 Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Road Skills Test fee is now required for each testing attempt. All fees retained by the department pursuant to this Code section shall be remitted to the general fund.

If you pass the required knowledge test(s), You can take the CDL roadtest. Here are three types of general skills that will be tested:

  • pre-trip inspection;
  • basic vehicle control; and
  • on-road driving.

You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Any vehicle that has components marked or labeled cannot be used for the Pre-trip inspection test.

You are required to complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) before being allowed to take the CDL Skills tests. The CLP cannot be held for more than one year (365) days. If you fail any part of the skills tests you can apply to reschedule the retest after the waiting period as follows:

  • 1st failure and subsequent failures - two days

The following restrictions will be placed on your license if the test is this type of vehicle:

  • If an applicant performs the skills test in a ve­hicle equipped with an automatic transmis­sion, that person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with a manual transmission. (No manual transmission equipped CMV)
  • Tractor-trailer - If an applicant performs the skills test in a combination vehicle for a Group A CDL with the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, that person is restricted from operating a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel that requires a Group A CDL. (No tractor trailer CMV)
  • If an applicant performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle requiring a Group B CDL, that person is restricted from operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Group A CDL. (No Class A passenger busses)
  • If an applicant performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle requiring a Group C CDL, that person is restricted from operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Group B CDL. (No class A or B passenger busses)
  • If an applicant performs the skills test in a vehicle that does not have air brakes they will be restricted from operating a CMV with air brakes. (No air brake equipped CMV)

To have a restriction(s) removed you must obtain a CLP for the Class of vehicle you will be operating that does not have the restriction(s) on it. The permit is considered valid for purposes of behind-the-wheel training on public roads or highways if at all times accompanied by the holder of a valid CDL who has the proper CDL group and endorsement(s) necessary to operate the CMV. 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. You will also be required to take the road test (i.e. vehicle inspection, basic skills and on­ the-road driving test) again in a vehicle that is not configured and / or equipped the same as the one that resulted in the restriction(s) originally being placed on the license.

Pre-trip Inspection

You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why. (This will require you to physically maneuver and / or crawl under the hood or under the vehicle.)

Basic Vehicle Control.

You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barri­ers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.

On-road Test

You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi­ lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.

Figure 1.2 details which sections of this man­ual you should study for each particular class of license and for each endorsement.

Figure 1.2a: What sections should you study for your license type?
Sections to Study Class A Class B Class C
1 Yes Yes Yes
2 Yes Yes Yes
3 Yes Yes Yes
4 No No No
5 (study this section if you plan to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes) Yes Yes Yes
6 Yes No No
7 No No No
8 No No No
9 No No No
10 No No No
11 Yes Yes Yes
12 Yes Yes Yes
13 Yes Yes Yes
Figure 1.2b: What Sections should you study for your Endorsement?
Sections to Study Hazardous Materials Double and / or Triple Tank Vehicles Passenger School Bus
1 No No No No No
2 No Yes Yes Yes No
3 No No No No No
4 No No No Yes No
5 (study this section if you plan to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes) No Yes No No No
6 No Yes Yes No No
7 No Yes No No No
8 No No Yes No No
9 Yes No Yes No No
10 No No No No Yes
11 No No No Yes Yes
12 No No No Yes Yes
13 No No No Yes Yes