CDL Truck Driver in Georgia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.
Jobs (GA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a cdl truck driver in Georgia
To become a CDL Truck Driver in Georgia, you must obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), complete FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), and pass a CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test. The application fee for a CDL is $35, and the skills test costs $50. A valid DOT medical certificate is required, and applicants must be at least 18 for intrastate driving or 21 for interstate commerce. Georgia offers reciprocity for out-of-state CDLs, though Hazmat endorsements require retesting.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Georgia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Georgia requirements
| Licensing body | Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
| Exam | CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test ($50) |
| Application fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every 8.0 years |
| Notes | Applicants must be 18+ for intrastate or 21+ for interstate commerce. A valid DOT medical certificate is required. Fees are approximate: $10 for CLP, $32 for license. Skills test fees are paid to third-party providers and vary. Federal ELDT is required for new applicants. Hazmat endorsements expire in 5 years and require a knowledge test and TSA background check for renewal. As of June 18, 2025, medical certificates will be submitted electronically by the medical examiner to FMCSA and then to DDS; paper copies will no longer be accepted by DDS. Effective July 1, 2024, CDL privileges will be removed for drivers with a 'prohibited' status in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse until the return-to-duty process is completed. |
workspace_premium Georgia license tiers
Georgia offers multiple tiers of cdl truck driver licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Class A | N/A |
| Class B | N/A |
| Class C | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleGeorgia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk