Georgia CDL Endorsement And Restriction

Driver's License Endorsement

Drivers' license endorsements are typically used to grant you additional driving privileges without requiring you to apply for a different type of driver's license. Most Georgia driver's license endorsements apply to commercial driver's licenses and will thus be useless to those holding a regular class C license. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as a motorcycle endorsement. Any regular driver's license can be upgraded to include a motorcycle endorsement.

Georgia CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Classifications

Georgia Class A

This license allows the driver to operate any vehicle with a semi-trailer or trailer with two or more axles in most states. This also includes any combination of vehicles with a GVWR greater than 26,000 pounds (provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle is greater than 10,000 pounds) under the following conditions. Prepare for the written Georgia Class A CDL tests.
  • Drivers for towing trailers weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
  • The holder is permitted to operate Class B and C vehicles.
  • Tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, double and triple trailers, tractor-trailer buses, tanker vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds may be operated by drivers. Heavy truck drivers, dispatchers, local drivers, couriers, and bus drivers are common occupations for holders.
You must have the necessary endorsements based on the loads you transport.

Georgia Class B

Under the following conditions, the driver may operate any vehicle with a GVWR greater than 26,000 pounds and any vehicle towing a trailer with a GVWR less than 10,000 pounds. Prepare for the written Georgia Class B CDL tests.
  • Drivers for towing trailers weighing less than 10,000 pounds.
  • The holder can operate Class C vehicles but not Class A vehicles.
  • Straight trucks, box trucks (such as delivery trucks), large buses (such as school buses, city buses, and tourist buses), and dump trucks with small trailers may be operated by drivers.
You must have the necessary endorsements based on the loads you transport.

Georgia Class C

This license is for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and does not require a CDL unless you need a CDL to attach an endorsement under the following conditions.
  • A Class C CDL with the Passenger Vehicles Endorsement is required when driving a vehicle that carries 16 or more passengers (including the driver) with a GVWR of fewer than 26,000 pounds (P). Prepare for the written Georgia Class C CDL Passenger Bus tests.
  • Driving a school bus with a GVWR of fewer than 26,000 pounds requires a Class C CDL with the Passenger Vehicles Endorsement (P) AND the School Bus Endorsement (S). Prepare for the written Georgia Class C CDL School Bus tests.
  • When transporting Hazardous Materials that require placarding (with a GVWR of fewer than 26,000 pounds), you must have a Class C CDL with the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H). Prepare for the written Georgia Class C CDL Hazmat tests.
  • When driving a tank capacity greater than 1000 gallons (GVWR less than 26,000 pounds), you must have a Class C CDL with the Tank Vehicle (T) Endorsement. Prepare for the written Georgia Class C CDL Tank Vehicle tests.

Georgia CPL (Commercial Learner's Permit) Endorsement

P Endorsement (Georgia Passenger Vehicle Endorsement)

  • According to 49CFR383.25(a)(1), a Georgia CLP holder with a "P" endorsement is not permitted to operate a CMV carrying passengers other than Federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the Georgia CLP holder.

S Endorsement (Georgia School Bus Endorsement)

  • According to 49CFR383.25(a)(1), a Georgia CLP holder with an "S" endorsement is prohibited from operating a school with passengers other than Federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the Georgia CLP holder.

N Endorsement (Georgia Tank Vehicle Endorsement)

  • A Georgia CLP holder with an "N" endorsement is only permitted to operate an empty tank vehicle and is not permitted to operate any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that have not been purged of any residue.

Georgia Motorcycle Endorsement

If you do not currently hold a regular license, you can either add a motorcycle endorsement to your existing Georgia driver's license or apply for a separate motorcycle driver's license. The application process is very similar to that of a regular license in that you must take a separate Georgia permit test, obtain a permit, and then pass the Georgia driver's test to obtain your motorcycle driver's license. The permit test will be different from the regular one in that it will focus on motorcycle regulations. Take a few Georgia drivers practice tests to see if you are ready for the exam. If you haven't already, signing up for a Georgia driver's education class is also good.

Driver's License Restriction

In some cases, the Department of Driver Services may restrict your Georgia driver's license, limiting your driving privileges to operating a specific type of vehicle or driving only when certain conditions are met. A "daylight driving only" restriction that applies to people who do not meet minimum vision requirements is a good example. Georgia class D driver's license restrictions, also known as provisional license restrictions, are a separate class of restrictions part of the state's graduated license program. Most Georgia driver's license restriction codes can be found in the driver's handbook. With these driver's license endorsements, the DDS may impose some restrictions on your license in addition to granting you additional driving privileges. Georgia driver's license restrictions discourage or prevent you from driving under certain conditions. For example, if you take the driving test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you are not permitted to drive a vehicle with a regular manual gear shifter. The following is a list of Georgia driver's license restriction codes from the DDS drivers handbook: A - No restrictions B - Corrective lenses C - Mechanical aids D - Business only E - Automatic transmission F - Right side mirror G - Daylight only H - Employer's vehicle only I - Left outside mirror J - Prosthetic aid K - Georgia only L - Without air brakes M - No expressways N - Power brakes O - Power steering P - Interlock Q - No passengers S - To/from school T - To/from medical V - Class B or C passenger vehicles W - Class C passenger vehicles Y - Farm waiver required Z - Visually impaired parent 1 - Bioptic lenses 2 - Personal vehicles only 3 - Ignition Interlock Device restrictions apply 4 - No tractor trailers If the situation calls for it, your driver's license may be restricted in more than one way. Driver license restrictions can only be removed through the DDS, and in most cases, you will need to demonstrate that the reason for restricting your license has been removed.

Adding Endorsement To Georgia Driver's License

Certain requirements must be met to add additional endorsements to your existing driver's license. The requirements for each endorsement vary, but if your endorsement allows you to operate a different class of vehicles, you will most likely be required to take a knowledge exam and a driver's test to demonstrate your ability to handle such vehicles. A certain amount of driving experience or a clean driving record may be required.