Georgia has become one of the Southeast’s busiest freight corridors, lending to a promising future for trucking professionals with high demand. Based on a 2024 report, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) notes that “transportation and logistics employment growth has outpaced the nation” in recent years.1 Whether you’re changing careers or starting fresh, pursuing your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training in Georgia can open the door to steady work, travel opportunities, and solid pay.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to get started: CDL schools to explore, what it costs to get a CDL and become a truck driver, and state and employer funding options.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia offers a wide range of FMCSA-approved CDL programs, from public technical colleges to private driving schools.
- Training usually lasts four to eight weeks, depending on whether you attend full-time, part-time, or through an employer-sponsored program.
- State and federal funding—like the HOPE Career Grant and WIOA—can cover most or all CDL training tuition for eligible students.
- The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) oversees licensing, including written exams, ELDT-certified training, and a skills test.
- Major freight corridors and expanding ports make Georgia one of the strongest states for new truck driving careers.
Methodology
We evaluated Georgia’s CDL schools using five key factors linked to training quality, cost, placement results, and regulatory compliance. Programs must appear in the FMCSA training provider registry, which lists every U.S. school authorized to deliver Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).2 Schools were verified through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the FMCSA database for active status and licensing.
This guide also considers funding and grant eligibility through WorkSource Georgia and the HOPE Career Grant. Each school listed is ELDT-certified, licensed to operate in Georgia, and provides behind-the-wheel instruction on vehicles that meet CDL testing standards.
Explore Georgia’s CDL Training Programs
Below are some ELDT-compliant CDL schools to explore and compare in the state of Georgia.
Atlanta Truck Driving School (Atlanta)
Atlanta Truck Driving School is an FMCSA-approved training provider offering both Class A and Class B CDL training in a one-on-one capacity (no group driving). Students can complete their CDL Class A program in as little as three weeks. The curriculum includes classroom theory, range maneuvers, and behind-the-wheel experience using both manual and automatic transmission trucks. As of November 2025, tuition is $3,500.3
Daly’s Truck Driving School (Buford)
Daly’s Truck Driving School provides students with Class A, Class B, and Hazmat CDL training in Buford, Georgia—with flexible schedules. The Class A course runs just over two weeks, while the Class B program can be completed in roughly eight days.4,5 The school provides modern tractors and simulators for ELDT-compliant training. As of November 2025, Daly’s partners with major national carriers, including trucking companies like FedEx and Swift Transportation, for direct job placement.6
Georgia Driving Academy (Multiple Locations)
Georgia Driving Academy (GDA) offers a comprehensive CDL training program, with locations in Augusta, Conyers, and Columbus. The Class A course includes 160 hours of instruction—180 hours if you’d like to learn both manual and automatic. GDA offers job placement support, having strong relationships with carriers like Swift Transportation, Stevens Transport, and Schneider National. Financing, WIOA, and GI Bill® benefits are accepted.7 Students can also pursue hazmat endorsement training for expanded job opportunities.
Truck Driver Institute (Forsyth)
Located in Forsyth, TDI’s three-week, Class A program provides fast-track training on modern, full-sized tractor-trailers. The program includes both classroom and extensive hands-on practice. TDI’s employer network includes over 20 national carriers, offering pre-hire options even before graduation. While exact tuition can’t be located on their website, currently, they do note that students can get started with a first payment as low as $225.8 With that said, many students can qualify for company-sponsored tuition reimbursement programs as well as WIOA, GI Bill®, and other grant and scholarship options.
Katlaw Truck Driving School (Austell)
Katlaw Truck Driving School offers small class sizes and flexible scheduling options, including night and weekend classes. Students receive ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training using late model vehicles. As of November 2025, tuition varies based on the training Class type, and can range between $3995-$4,295—with company-sponsored training and loan options. The school also assists with job placement through a network of regional carriers, including Werner Enterprise, TMC Transportation, and Swift Transportation.9
Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Clarkston)
Georgia Piedmont Technical College offers an FMCSA-accredited Commercial Truck Driving certificate through its Technical College System of Georgia campus.10 The course consists of nine credit hours and prepares students for the CDL road skills test. Tuition may be fully covered by the HOPE Career Grant or WIOA. The program includes behind-the-wheel instruction like clearance maneuvering, parallel parking, and coupling and uncoupling, as well as the fundamentals of commercial driving.
Coastal Pines Technical College (Waycross & Jesup)
Coastal Pines Technical College provides students with commercial truck driving certificate training that prepares them for the Georgia CDL Skills test.11 Courses include hands-on vehicle operation and theory instruction covering trip planning and DOT state and federal compliance regulations. Many graduates are prepared to secure jobs with regional carriers serving Georgia’s ports and timber industries. Eligible students can apply for financial aid and state workforce grants.
South Georgia Technical College (Americus)
South Georgia Tech offers CDL training that emphasizes highway safety and professional driving habits.12 The course encompasses nine credit hours, combining classroom and behind-the-wheel practice on full-sized rigs. Students in this program have the unique option to complete a commercial driving internship to get real-world training with an established employer.
Roadmaster Drivers School (Atlanta)
Roadmaster Drivers School is a nationally recognized CDL training network with a Georgia campus near Atlanta. Roadmaster’s training includes dedicated training yards for behind-the-wheel instruction, as well as online learning labs. Recent graduates benefit from job placement assistance through partnerships with major carriers like Werner and Stevens Transport.
Savannah Technical College (Savannah)
Savannah Technical College’s Commercial Truck Driving program provides ELDT-approved training aligned with Georgia DDS testing requirements.13 Students learn vehicle inspection, shifting techniques, and safe hauling practices. This manual transmission CDL course costs $2,207, as of November 2025, and is eligible for financial aid and the Hope Career Grant.13
How to Choose a Georgia CDL Program
Selecting the right CDL school in Georgia depends on your schedule, budget, and career goals.
- Schedule flexibility: Many schools offer flexible schedule options so that students can fulfill behind-the-wheel and other CDL requirements without needing to quit their current job.
- Employer partnerships: Programs that offer job placement opportunities for recent graduates, like Daly’s truck driving school, can lessen the stress of getting a job post-studies.
- ELDT certification: Only FMCSA-listed schools can issue ELDT certificates.
- Equipment quality: Learning on modern fleets is important for career growth and exam success.
Georgia CDL Licensing Requirements
Here are the requirements and a step-by-step licensing process for obtaining a Georgia commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Before you earn your CDL:
- You must be 18 years old to apply. According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website, as of November 2025, “applicants between the age of 18 to 21 will be restricted to drive in Georgia only (Intrastate). On or after the 21st birthday, the applicant must go into any Customer Service Center to have the “Georgia Only” Restriction removed.”14
- You must hold a valid regular Georgia driver’s license.
- You must have a valid Class AP or BP Instructional Permit (CLP). As of November 2025, you are required to hold your CLP for 14 days before applying for a full CDL.
- You must have completed FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (EDLT).
- You must schedule a road test appointment on the Georgia DDS website after submitting a form.15,16 As of November 2025, the CDL road test fee is $50 per attempt.
- You must submit your Commercial Application (CAP) and pay the $35 application fee.
After you earn your CDL:
- CDLs in Georgia are valid for eight years.17 Permit, application, and endorsement fees range from $5 to $35.18
- Endorsements can expand career opportunities: H (Hazmat), N (Tanker), P (Passenger), T (Doubles/Triples), and X (Tanker + Hazmat).19
Cost and Financial Assistance
There’s no current data that shows exactly what the cost range for CDL training in Georgia is; however, CDL students typically pay $3,000–$10,000 nationwide—according to Roehl as of November 2025.20
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program funds training for eligible residents, while the HOPE Career Grant offers tuition reimbursement for students in approved technical college or CDL programs.21,22
Employers like Werner Enterprise and Schneider offer reimbursement or sponsorship for graduates who are committed to employment post-studies. It’s important to note that these employer-sponsored programs often require job commitment for at least a year.
There are also national scholarships, such as the Women in Trucking Foundation, that support entry-level truck drivers interested in finding purpose through a career in truck driving.23
Conclusion
Georgia’s trucking industry continues to expand and outpace the nation.1 With state and national funding options, along with ELDT-certified schools located throughout the state, you can earn your CDL and begin a fulfilling trucking career in Georgia.
CDL Training Georgia FAQs
How fast can I earn my CDL in Georgia?
You can earn your CDL in Georgia in as little as four weeks.
Which endorsements pay the most?
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
It’s generally common for high-paying truck driver jobs to require HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles/Triples endorsements—this also offers the widest range of opportunities regionally.24
Are there free CDL programs available?
No, there are currently no free CDL training programs available; however, you can apply for scholarships, grants, and employer-sponsored options to lower training costs.
Does Georgia require drug testing before CDL issuance?
Yes, FMCSA and DDS rules require pre-employment drug tests and ongoing screenings.25
Sources:
1 https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/freight.aspx/
2 https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/Search
3 https://atlantatruckdrivingschool.com/compare
4 https://dalystruckdrivingschool.com/class-a-cdl/
5 https://dalystruckdrivingschool.com/class-b/
6 https://dalystruckdrivingschool.com/job-placement/
7 https://gda.edu/tuition-assistance/
8 https://www.drivebigtrucks.com/how-much-does-truck-driving-school-cost-overall/
9 https://katlaw.com/job-placement/
10 https://www.gptc.edu/college-catalog/current/programs/commercial-truck-driving
11 https://catalog.coastalpines.edu/commercial-truck-driving/commercial-truck-driving-ct61
12 https://www.southgatech.edu/programs/commercial-truck-driving/
13 https://www.savannahtech.edu/academics/commercial-truck-driving/
14 https://dds.georgia.gov/georgia-licenseid/commercial/how-do-i-cdl-license
15 https://dds.georgia.gov/testing-and-training/road-test
16 https://dds.drives.ga.gov/_/
17 https://dds.georgia.gov/georgia-licenseid/commercial/how-do-i-renew-cdl
19 https://dds.georgia.gov/adding-cdl-endorsements
20 https://www.roehl.jobs/blog/2024/cdl-training-cost
21 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa
22 https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-grants/hope-career-grant/
23 https://www.womenintruckingfoundation.org/
24 https://www.cdlhelp.com/blog/essential-cdl-endorsements-guide-for-new-truckers
25 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing-program
