Page 6 - Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual 2020
P. 6
1SECTION
INTRODUCTION Determining Class of CDL Required
This Section Covers Is the GCWR Yes Is the GVWR of the Yes Class “A”
26,001 or more trailer/towed unit 10,001
General Qualification or more pounds?
of Drivers........................ 1.1 pounds?
Commercial Driver License
Tests................................ 1.2 No
Driver Disqualifications...1.3
Other Safety Rules.........1.4 No Is the GVWR of the Yes
International Registration power unit 26,001 or
Plan International Fuel Gross combination Class “B”
Tax Agreement...............1.5 weight rating (GCWR) more pounds? Class “C”
Medical Documentation Means the value specified Class “C”
Requirements................. 1.6 by the manufacturer of the No
power unit, if the value unit
There is a federal requirement that each is displayed on the Federal Is the vehicle Yes
state have minimum standards for the licensing Motor Vehicle Safety Standard transporting hazardous
of commercial drivers. (FMVSS) certificate label; or
the sum of the gross vehicle materials in a
This manual provides driver license test- weight ratings (GVWRs) or placardable quantity?
ing information for drivers who wish to have a the gross vehicle weights
commercial driver license (CDL). This manual (GVWs) of the power unit No
does NOT provide information on all the federal and the towed unit(s), or any
and state requirements needed before you can combination thereof, that Is the vehicle designed Yes
drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). You produces the highest value. to transport 16 or more
may have to contact your state driver licensing (The underlined and italicized passengers including
authority for additional information. text above is for use by
roadside enforcement the driver?
You must have a CDL to operate: only for the purpose of
• Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle determining whether the No
driver/vehicle is subject to
weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds CDL regulations. It is not No CDL required.
or more. used to determine whether a
• A combination vehicle with a gross vehicle is representative for NOTE: A bus may be Class A, B, or C depending on
combination weight rating of 26,001 or the purposes of Skills testing.) whether the GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or
more pounds, provided the GVWR of is a combination vehicle.
the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of Gross vehicle
10,000 pounds. weight rating (GVWR)
• A vehicle designed to transport 16 or Means the value specified by
more passengers (including the driver). the manufacturer as the loaded
• Any size vehicle which requires weight of a single vehicle.
hazardous material placards or is carrying
material listed as a select agent or toxin Figure 1.1
in 42 CFR part 73. Federal regulations
through the Department of Homeland 1.1 – General qualification 1.2 – Commercial Driver
Security require a background check and of drivers: License Tests
fingerprinting for the Hazardous Materials
endorsement. The background check 1. Is at least 21 years old; 1.2.1 – Knowledge Tests
can take up to six weeks. Contact the 2. Can read and speak the English language A Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) means
Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov or sufficiently to converse with the general pub- a permit issued to an individual, which, when
your local DDS Customer Service Center lic to understand highway traffic signs and carried with a valid driver’s license issued by
for more information. signals in the English language, to respond the same State or jurisdiction, authorizes the
To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge to official inquiries, and to make entries on individual to operate a class of a commercial
and skills tests. This manual will help you pass reports and records; motor vehicle when accompanied by a holder of
the tests. This manual is not a substitute for a 3. Can, by reason of experience, training, or a valid CDL for purposes of behind-the-wheel
truck driver training class or program. Formal both, safely operate the type of commercial training. When issued to a CDL holder, a CLP
training is the most reliable way to learn the motor vehicle he/she drives; serves as authorization for accompanied be-
many special skills required for safely driving a 4. Is physically qualified to drive a commercial hind-the-wheel training in a commercial motor
large commercial vehicle and becoming a pro- motor vehicle in accordance with CFR 391.41 for which the holder’s current CDL is not valid.
fessional driver in the trucking industry. Figure 5. Has a currently valid Commercial Learner’s
1.1 helps you determine if you need a CDL. Permit (CLP) or CDL issued by only one State A CLP is considered a valid CDL for purpos-
or jurisdiction; es of behind-the-wheel training on public roads
6. Is not disqualified to drive a commercial mo- or highways, if all of the following minimum
tor vehicle conditions are met:
• The CLP holder is at all times accompanied
by the holder of a valid CDL who has the
4 2019-2020 GEORGIA COMMERCIAL DRIVERS MANUAL
