Georgia CDL Permit Practice Test Guide
Georgia’s CDL general knowledge test runs 50 multiple-choice or true/false questions, and you need 80 percent correct, 40 of 50, to pass. Once you clear it, the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) Georgia issues is valid for 365 days, giving you a full year to complete skills testing before starting over. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) charges a $32 CDL license fee plus $5 per endorsement, and a separate $50 skills test fee for each scheduled testing attempt.
One detail that surprises a lot of applicants: Georgia DDS does not publish an official CDL practice test itself. The state’s online practice test tool covers only non-commercial licenses and permits; for CDL preparation, DDS directs applicants to its Commercial Driver’s Study Guide and leaves practice testing to third-party providers (Georgia DDS, Practice Tests & Guides). That makes knowing exactly what the real knowledge test covers, straight from the manual, more useful than a generic online quiz.
CDL is the name of a real license category issued by state driver-licensing agencies. This page is not affiliated with Georgia DDS or FMCSA.
How many questions are on the Georgia CDL knowledge test?
The Georgia CDL General Knowledge test runs 50 questions, delivered as multiple-choice or true/false items, each multiple-choice question offering four possible answers. The passing score for all Georgia CDL knowledge tests, general knowledge and every endorsement, is 80 percent, meaning 40 correct answers out of 50 on the general knowledge section specifically. The test checks familiarity with Georgia traffic laws, federal regulations, vehicle inspection procedures, and safe driving techniques for commercial vehicles (Georgia DDS, Commercial Driver’s Study Guide).
How long does a Georgia CLP last?
365 days from the date it’s issued. That’s a full calendar year to complete behind-the-wheel practice and schedule the skills test before the permit expires and you’d need to retest. Georgia’s 365-day CLP window is longer than the 180-day period some states use, which matters if you’re studying and training around a job schedule rather than full-time.
How much does a Georgia CDL actually cost?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CDL license fee | $32.00 | Covers the base CDL issuance |
| Per endorsement added | $5.00 | Added on top of the base license fee |
| Skills test fee (per attempt) | $50.00 | Non-transferable; charged for each scheduled test |
| No-show or late cancellation | New $50.00 fee required | Applies without 72-hour notice to reschedule or cancel |
| Georgia ID card (8-year) | $32.00 | For reference, same base rate as the CDL fee |
Source: Georgia DDS, License Requirements Overview, accessed July 2026. The knowledge exam itself carries its own testing fee charged per attempt, separate from the license and skills-test fees above; behind-the-wheel training and the DOT medical exam are additional costs outside DDS’s own fee schedule.
What do you need to bring to the skills test?
Georgia requires the truck (and trailer, if applicable) to be appropriate for the class of license and any endorsements being tested, with current proof of insurance, registration, and an unexpired tag on the vehicle. If it’s a rental, you must be listed as an authorized driver on the agreement. The GVWR plate has to be visible on both the truck and trailer, the truck must be completely empty, no cargo, no items in the passenger seat, and it needs a wheel chock on hand for the inspection. A vehicle with air brakes is required to remove an air brake restriction from the license (Georgia DDS, License Requirements Overview).
Run through the CDL Practice Hub Georgia CDL practice quiz before your DDS appointment, since Georgia itself doesn’t offer a practice test and the study guide alone won’t tell you how you’d actually perform against a timed set of questions.
Does Georgia require Entry-Level Driver Training?
Yes, for any first-time Class A or B CDL applicant, or anyone adding a passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsement for the first time, following the same federal ELDT rule that applies nationwide since February 7, 2022. Training has to come from a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before Georgia DDS will schedule the skills test (FMCSA, Entry-Level Driver Training).
If a full study packet covering the general knowledge, air brake, and endorsement sections in one place sounds useful for Georgia specifically, that’s what the CDL Practice Hub CDL study guide is built for.
FAQ
What passing score does Georgia require on the CDL general knowledge test? 80 percent, or 40 correct answers out of the 50 questions on the test, the same standard Georgia applies to every CDL endorsement knowledge test.
How long is a Georgia CLP valid once issued? 365 days from the issue date, giving applicants a full year to complete training and schedule the skills test before needing to retest.
Does Georgia DDS provide an official online CDL practice test? No. Georgia’s online practice test tool covers only non-commercial licenses and permits; DDS directs CDL applicants to the printed Commercial Driver’s Study Guide instead.
What must be visible on both the truck and trailer during a Georgia CDL skills test? The GVWR plate on each vehicle in the combination, along with current proof of insurance, registration, and an unexpired tag.
What happens if I no-show or cancel my skills test appointment late? A new $50 testing fee is required if you cancel or reschedule without giving Georgia DDS at least 72 hours’ notice.