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COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

CHAPTER 1

COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE RULES

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY

CHAPTER 1

COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Table of Contents

1-1-.01 Applications.

1-1-.02 Commercial Driver’s License Exemptions.

1-1-.03 Affidavit for Changes on CDL.

1-1-.04 Minimum Physical Requirements Required to Obtain a Commercial Driver’s License.

1-1-.05 Exemptions from Medical Requirements.

1-1-.06 Driver Qualifications.

1-1-.07 Suspensions.

1-1-.08 Failures Written/Skills Test.

1-1-.09 Knowledge Test and Endorsement Tests.

1-1-.10 Vehicle Requirements - Commercial Driver’s License Skills Test.

1-1-.11 Skills Test Disqualifications.

1-1-.12 Skills Test for Commercial Driver’s License.

1-1-.13 Third Party Tester Program. Amended.

1-1-.14 Commercial Driver Out-of-Service Notification.

1-1-.15 Disqualification From Driving A Commercial Motor Vehicle.

1-1-.16 School Bus Endorsement; Waiver.

1-1-.01 Applications.

(1) All applications for the issuance of a commercial driver's license should be submitted at least 60 days and not more than 150 days prior to testing or receiving a Commercial Driver's License.

(2) All items of information on the application must be completed in full or the application may be returned or rejected.

(3) An applicant may be exempted (Grandfathered) from the driving skills test if they can certify that during the two years preceding the CDL application date they:

(a) have not had more than one driver's license or one driver’s license and instructional permit; and

(b) have not had a license revocation, suspension, or cancellation; and

(d) have not received any citations which would initiate a suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification;

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(e) have not had more than one conviction for a serious traffic violation within the previous two years;

(f) have been regularly employed in a job requiring the operation of a commercial motor vehicle representative of the commercial motor vehicle class and type the driver applicant operates or expects to operate; and

(g) If transferring from out of state, took and passed a behind the wheel skills test in another state in a representative vehicle for that applicant’s driver’s license classification.

(4) Applicants for the issuance of a commercial driver's license who operate a school bus shall be exempted from the $35.00 application fee. (City, County, State or Federal)

(5) No application, driving skills test, or licensing fee will be required from applicants possessing a veteran's status license or those who have qualified through the Veteran's Administration. Such qualification shall be submitted in writing with the form DS-516 and must be attached to the commercial driver's license application when submitted to the Department. Veterans are not exempt from the fee charged for taking the driving skills test if administered by a third party tester.

(6) Out of state CDL applicants are not exempt from the $35.00 application fee unless:

(a) The applicant is employed by a city, county, state, or federal school system as a school bus operator.

(b) A veteran's eligibility certificate (DS-516) is attached to their commercial driver's license application.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.02 Commercial Driver's License Exemptions.

(1) Active duty military personnel, members of the reserves and national guard on active duty (including personnel on full time national guard duty), personnel on part-time training, and national guard military technicians (civilians who are required to wear military uniforms and are subject to the code of military justice).

(2) Firefighters and operators of emergency equipment are exempt from having a commercial driver's license provided their vehicles are equipped with audible and visual signals and are operated by a person in the employ of a volunteer or paid firefighting organization. Emergency equipment such as a fire truck, hook and ladder truck, foam or water transporter, or other vehicles used only in response to emergencies are included.

(3) Farm vehicle operators are exempt from having a commercial driver's license provided:

(a) The vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer;

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(b) Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or both, to or from a farm;

(d) Used within 150 miles of a person's farm.

(4) Operators of recreational vehicles are exempt from having a commercial driver's license.

(5) Drivers who are exempted from having a commercial driver's license must comply with examinations and be licensed in the appropriate Class A, B or C non-commercial drivers license. Applicants for Class A and B noncommercial must furnish an affidavit in lieu of a road test showing a minimum of 3 months or 3,000 miles driving experience in a vehicle which represents that class.

(6) 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, driving skills test, and license fees unless:

(a) They hold a veteran's driver's license.

(b) Attach a DS-516 to the commercial driver's license application.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.03 Affidavit for Changes on CDL.

Any change of the applicant's name, sex, date of birth, or social security number will require the applicant to appear before an examiner at a driver's license facility with proof of change. The examiner will execute an affidavit which will be forwarded by the examiner on a daily basis to the CDL Unit, Department of Motor Vehicle Safety, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, Georgia 30013. The CDL Unit shall confirm the changes and return the necessary paperwork to the applicant for him/her to appear at a driver's license facility for necessary change(s) to be made on the commercial driver's license. A fee of $15.00 shall be charged for the renewal of a license, unless this is the initial issuance of a license or applicant has a veteran's status drivers license or DS-516.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.04 Minimum Physical Requirements Required to Obtain a Commercial Driver's License.

(1) Applicants must comply with minimum Federal requirements as set forth in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Sec. 391-41.

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(2) Applicants shall have a distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 or better with corrective lenses; distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40 in both eyes; or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70 in the horizontal meridian in each eye; and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.05 Exemptions from Medical Requirements.

(1) Operators of city, county, state, or federal vehicles are exempt from the medical requirements.

(2) Drivers who operate on an occasional basis receive no compensation and are not involved in commercial enterprise.

(3) Hauling of personal property, human corpses or the sick or injured.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.06 Driver Qualifications.

(1) 21 years of age.

(a) Applicants between ages 18-20 years of age upon completion of an application and required testing shall be issued a commercial drivers license with a "Georgia Only" restriction.

(2) Pass all applicable written tests, if required;

(3) Pass all driving skills tests in a vehicle representative of the class applied for, if required;

(4) Comply with the minimum federal standards as set forth in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Sec. 391.41.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.07 Suspensions.

(1) A lifetime period of suspension may be reduced to 10 years after an applicant furnishes proof of rehabilitation, approved by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

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(2) Drivers possessing a commercial driver's license that is suspended, revoked or canceled shall not be issued a limited permit or probationary license to operate a commercial vehicle.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.08 Failures Written/Skills Test.

(1) Upon a first failure, the applicant must wait until the next day before taking the examination.

(2) Upon a second failure, the applicant must wait 7 days before retaking the examination.

(3) Upon the third failure, the applicant must wait 30 days before retaking the examination.

(4) After a fourth failure, the applicant must reapply through the Commercial Driver's License Unit.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.09 Knowledge Test and Endorsement Tests.

(1) Applicants attempting to obtain a commercial driver's license and/or instructional permit of any class shall be required to take and pass the CDL general knowledge test.

(2) Applicants for all classes of commercial driver's license including instructional permits, must receive a grade of at least 80 percent out of a possible 100 percent on the appropriate knowledge test per 49 CFR Part 383.

(3) Out of state applicants who move to Georgia and have a commercial driver's license issued from their prior state of residence will be required to apply for a Georgia CDL by making application through the CDL Unit and paying the appropriate fee. However, these licenses will be exchanged one for one, with the exception of the H endorsement. Applicants will be required to pass the knowledge test to maintain this endorsement. If applicants apply for a higher class of commercial drivers license or additional endorsements, the necessary test(s) will be required.

(4) Applicants for commercial driver's license and commercial instructional permits of classes A and B, whose vehicles are equipped with air brakes, must pass the Air Brakes test.

(5) Applicants may take the written test a total of two times before being required to pay another application fee.

(6) Applicants must pass the specific endorsement written test before the endorsement can be applied to the license.

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(7) The initial license issuance fee, regardless of how many endorsements are added, will be $15.00.

(8) After the initial commercial driver's license issuance, additional endorsements may be added upon passing the test(s) for the additional endorsements requested. A fee of $5.00 for each additional endorsement may be assessed, plus $15.00 license renewal fee.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.10 Vehicle Requirements - Commercial Driver's License Skills Test.

(1) No commercial driver's license skills test shall be given in a vehicle loaded with cargo.

(2) The vehicle shall be furnished by the applicant and will have a safe passenger seat for the examiner. Vehicle shall be insured pursuant to Georgia law.

(3) The vehicle shall have a data plate containing the GVWR for the vehicle. The GVWR will be checked to ensure that the vehicle in which the applicant takes the skills test is representative of the vehicle group the applicants expects to operate.

(4) All vehicles used in skills test must be in safe operating condition. Any defects in the following items will constitute an unsafe vehicle and will disqualify the vehicle from being utilized in the skills test.

(a) Service Brakes, including trailer brake connection;

(b) Parking Brake;

(d) Lighting Devices and mechanisms;

(e) Tires:

at least 4/32 tread on front; and

at least 2/32 tread on all other tires;

(f) Horn;

(g) Windshield;

(h) Windshield wipers;

(i) Coupling Devices

(j) Rear vision mirrors;;

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(k) Wheel and Rims;

(l) Emergency equipment;

(m) Doors;

(n) Exhaust System;

(o) Frame;

(p) Fuel Tank.

(5) Skills test will be given in order of increasing difficulty.

(6) Skills test may be given in all weather conditions; provided the weather creates no hazard for the applicant or the examiner.

(7) Prior to the Department giving a skills test, the applicant must pay a $50.00 test fee, unless applicant has veteran's status and is tested by the state. An applicant may take the test two times without paying another $50.00 fee.

(8) Skills tests taken in vehicles without air brakes will result in the commercial drivers license being issued with an air brakes restriction.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.11 Skills Test Disqualifications.

(1) An applicant for a Commercial Driver's License shall be immediately disqualified on his driving skills test for the following:

(a) Accident, including contact with another motor vehicle, pedestrian, other property, including running off the road unless, in the opinion of the examiner, the applicant was not at fault.

(b) Any act considered dangerous, including actions which require defensive driving by another to prevent an accident, or dodging by a pedestrian, or which require the observer to aid in controlling the vehicle; stalling the vehicle in a busy intersection: or driving two wheels over a curb or onto a sidewalk.

(c) Any traffic law violation, including any act for which the applicant could be arrested; or any act which might make the applicant liable for damages in case of an accident.

(d) Lack of cooperation, refusal to perform, or refusal to try to maneuver; offering bribes or gratuities; arguing about the score.

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(e) For failure to perform air brakes check during the engine start procedure of the Vehicle Inspection Test, if so equipped.

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 40-5-156 and O.C.G.A Sec. 40-16-5(c).

1-1-.12 Skills Test for Commercial Driver's License.

(1) Vehicle must meet safety standards as established by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

(2) Vehicle Inspection Test (all vehicles except Class C).

(3) All items will be credited on the score form, except those items pertaining to air brakes which have been calculated into the final score, if the vehicle is not equipped with those items.

(a) One point credit is given for inspecting each of the following items in each category

listed for all vehicles:

1. Engine Compartment

oil level

coolant level

power steering fluid

water pump

alternator

air compressor

any leaks

2. Engine Start

clutch/gearshift

air buzzer sounds

oil pressure builds

ammeter/voltmeter

air brake check

steering play

parking brake

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mirrors

windshield wipers

lighting indicators

horn

heater/defroster

safety/emergency equipment

(b) One point credit is given for inspecting each of the following items in each category listed for Truck/School Bus and Tractor:

1. Front Suspension

spring

spring mount

shock absorber

2. Front Brake

rims

hub oil seal

tires

lug nuts

3. Front Brake

slack adjustor

chamber

hoses

drums

4. Driver/Fuel Area

door, mirror

fuel tank

leaks

lug nuts

spacers

6. Rear Suspension (front or front and rear if applicable)

springs

spring mounts

torsion, shocks

7. Rear Brakes (front or front and rear if applicable)

slack adjustor

chamber

hoses

drum

8. Front of Vehicle

lights

steering box

steering linkage

9. Under Vehicle - Rear of Tractor

drive shaft

exhaust system

frame

10. School Bus Only

passenger entry

emergency exits

safety latch

platform

release arm

kingpin/apron

Sliding 5th Wheel

locking pins

lights, reflectors

splash guards

12. Rear of Vehicle

lights, reflectors

signal/brake lights

1. Trailer Front

air/electric connect

header board

lights/reflectors

2. Side Trailer

landing gear

lights/reflectors (doors, tiers)

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frame

3. Wheels (front or front and rear if applicable)

rims

tires

axle seals

lug nuts

spacers

4. Suspension (front or front and rear if applicable)

springs

spring mounts

5. Brakes (front or front and rear if applicable)

slack adjustor

chamber

hoses

drum

6. Rear or Trailer

lights/reflectors

doors, ties

(4) Basic Control Skills Test (all vehicles except Class C):

(a) There are three forms of the Basic Control Skills Test, each containing four exercises out of a possible six:

1. Form 1

straight line backing

alley dock

sight side parallel park

conventional parallel park

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2. Form 2

right turn

alley dock

conventional parallel park

backward serpentine

3. Form 3

straight line backing

alley dock

conventional parallel park

backward serpentine

(b) The six exercises are scored as follows:

1. Right Turn

-pullup (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

-encroachments (1 to 5 points for each encroachment)

-clearance (1 to 5 points for each 6" or more from first 6" line)

2. Alley Dock

-pullups (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

-encroachments (1 to 5 points for each encroachment)

-clearance (1 to 5 points for each 6" or more from first 6" line)

3. Straight Line Backing

-pullup (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

-encroachments (1 to 5 points for each encroachment)

-stop line (2') (1 point)

4. Back Serpentine

-pullup (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

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-encroachments (1 to 5 points for each encroachment)

5. Conventional Parallel Park (blind side)

-pullup (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

-encroachments (1 to 5 points for each encroachment)

-inside (1 point)

-rear (18") (1 point)

6. Sight Side Parallel Park

-pullups (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

-encroachments (1 to 5 points for each pullup)

-inside (1 point)

-rear (18") (1 point)

FORM 1 - 16 errors or less

FORM 2 - 14 errors or less

FORM 3 - 12 errors or less

(5) Road Test (all vehicles)

(a) A road test route should contain the following maneuvers:

- four left turns

- four right turns

- straight section of urban business street

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- simulated downgrade

- upgrade

- downgrade for stopping

- upgrade for stopping

- one underpass, or low clearance, or a bridge

(b) Maneuvers are scored as follows:

1. Left and right turns (1 point each for each 4 turns)

Approach

traffic check

signal, deceleration coast, lane

If Stop

necessary, gap stop line

full stop, wheels straight

Turning

traffic check

both hands, gears

speed, wide/short

Complete Turn

traffic check

correct lane

signal, accelerate, right

2. Urban/Rural sections (1 point each)

- regular traffic checks

- selects proper lane

- keeps vehicle in lane

- lane changes, traffic check, signal, space, smooth change to left

3. Start/Stop on Grade (1 point each for upgrade and downgrade)

Approach

traffic check

signal on

correct lane, deceleration

not coast

Stop

parallel, not roll

signal off/4-ways on

parking brake on

Resume

traffic check, 4-ways off

signal, parking brake

not stall engine

traffic check, accelerate

4. Curve (1 point for each item listed)

speed: enter, through

stay in lane

traffic checks

5. Drive Up Grade (1 point for each item listed)

proper gear

keep right, 4-ways if slow

traffic checks

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6. Drive Down Grade (1 point for each actual and simulated)

in proper gear

brake, clutch

steady speed

traffic checks

7. Railroad Crossing (1 point for each item listed)

traffic check

law, gears, stop

8. Bridge/Underpass (1 point for each item listed)

knew weight/clearance

9. Expressway (1 point for each item listed)

Merge On

- traffic check, signal, spacing, no stop, merge, cancel signal

Lane Changes

- traffic check, signal, spacing, smooth change, cancel signal to left

- traffic check, signal, spacing smooth change, cancel signal to right

Exit

traffic check, signal

smooth merge to exit lane

decelerate in exit lane

ramp speed, spacing, cancel signal

10. General Driving Behavior (1 point for each category listed)

- used clutch properly (shifting, double clutched, didn't ride)

- used gears properly (over-rev/lug engine, clash gears, coast)

- used brakes properly (smooth braking, no riding or pumping)

- proper steering (both hands on wheel, no over/under control)

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- obeyed all traffic signs and signals

- drove without an accident

- never put vehicle over sidewalks, lanes, stop lines, etc.

(d) One point credit is given for inspecting each of the following items in each category listed for Coach/Transit Buses:

1. Front of Vehicle

lights

Passenger Items

passenger entry

emergency exits

seating

2. Driver/Entry Area

window/door mirror

3. Front Brakes/Suspension

air leak

4. Front Wheel

rims

hub oil seal

tires

lug nuts

5. Fuel Tank Area

fuel tank

6. Baggage Compartments

emergency equipment

doors secure

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7. Rear Wheels (front or front and rear if applicable)

rims

tires

axle seals

lug nuts

spacers

8. Brakes/Suspension (front or front and rear if applicable)

air leaks

9. Rear of Vehicle

lights, reflectors

signals/brake lights

(e) Passing scores for the Vehicle Inspection Test are as follows:

1. Tractor-Trailer Passing Scores

With air brakes

3 axle tractor, 2 axle trailer 84