To operate a commercial motor car (CDL), you need a Georgia commercial driver’s licence. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established the requirements and regulations to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
To be eligible for a CDL, you must pass both a driving and specialized knowledge test. The exams are designed to ensure you can safely drive large vehicles and reduce the risk of getting into an accident.
An Atlanta truck wreck attorney looks into the cause of the accident and submits claims.
What Georgia Commercial Driver’s Licenses are Available?
Three types of Georgia commercial driver’s licence are available.
Driver’s License Class A Commercial
A Class A commercial driver’s licence is required to drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26001 pounds or more or tow a vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds. The following are examples of vehicles that fall under the Class A CDL classification:
- 18-wheelers
- large rights
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Transporters of livestock
- Truck trailers
- tanker vans
Driver’s License Class B, Commercial
A Class B commercial driver’s licence is required to drive a car that has a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,001 pounds and a trailer less than 10,000 pounds.
To earn a Class C CDL, you must have at least 18 years of age to hold a Class C CDL.
Commercial Driver’s Licence Class C
A Class C CDL allows you to drive a vehicle that can carry at least 16 passengers, excluding the driver. You can also drive smaller trucks to transport hazardous goods that require hazmat placards.
Endorsements of Georgia Commercial Drivers Licenses
It is possible to apply for endorsement of a commercial driver’s licence. A CDL endorsement allows you to transport certain loads.
The following are the components of CDL adoptions:
- The H endorsement is required for hazardous chemicals that require a placard to be transported.
- The N Endorsement is required to drive a tanker transporting liquids and gases.
- The P endorsement is required to drive a bus carrying at least 16 passengers, including the driver. If the bus is a school bus, the federal background check must also be passed.