Commercial Drivers License Guide Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina

Commercial Drivers License Guide Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina If you live in Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina, learn the guideline for getting your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) below. For all other states, TheJobNetwork has published articles on getting a CDL in all states. FloridaAll applicants  must  have an Operators License, pass the vision requirements, and be at least 18 years old. Anyone  under 21 will be restricted to intrastate operation.Oral exams may be given in English or Spanish, excepting skills test and  Hazmat exams. Interpreters may not be used.Class A Exam RequirementsYou need a Class A license to operate trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs or more and towing a vehicle/unit over 10,000 lbs. The following tests are required:General Knowledge testCombinations vehicle testAir BrakesPre-TripBasic SkillCDL Road TestApplicable exams for desired endorsementsClass B Exam RequirementsYou need a Class B license is needed to operate straight trucks and buses of 26,001 lbs or more. The following tests a re required:General Knowledge testAir Brakes (if applicable)Pre-TripBasic SkillsCDL Road TestApplicable exams for desired endorsementsClass C Exam RequirementsYou need a Class C license to operate vehicles transporting placarded amounts of hazardous materials or vehicles designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 lbs. The following tests are required:General Knowledge testAir Brakes (if applicable)Pre-Trip (if applicable)Basic Skills (if applicable)CDL Road TestApplicable exams for desired endorsementsFlorida  will reciprocate an out-of-state or Canadian CDL. However, an out-of-state applicant with a Hazmat endorsement must  reapply and obtain a background check, appropriate exams, and fees.GeorgiaThe following require a  driver to hold a CDL:Combination of vehicles weighing 26, 001 pounds or moreSingle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26, 001 pounds or moreSingle vehicle designed to transport mo re than 15 persons (including the driver)Any size vehicle which requires hazardous material placardsCDL ApplicationInformation about obtaining  a CDL can be found at  Customer Service Centers.  Submit your  application and $35.00 fee to any Customer Service Center (except Jackson) and take the required written knowledge exams. A  $10 permit fee is paid prior to taking the knowledge exams; the $10 fee pays for the instructional permit if you pass your exams.Anyone under  21 years of age may obtain a CDL, but will be restricted to drive only in Georgia.CDL Examination StationsAll Customer Service Centers  offer the written knowledge exams. The  Albany,  Between,  Brunswick,  Dalton,  Gainesville,  Jackson,  Milledgeville, and  Thomson  examination stations are the only centers that give CDL road tests. Tests are given by appointment only.South CarolinaApplicants applying for any of the following commercial driver credentials  must provide information about  any previous out-of-state drivers’ licenses:Obtaining a  commercial learner’s  permitTransferring an out-of-state commercial license to South CarolinaMoving from a commercial learner’s permit to a first-time commercial licenseRenewing a commercial license or learner’s permitUpgrading or downgrading a commercial license class or endorsementWhen you apply for a CDL, SCDMV will run checks against the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) and the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) databases to check your prior driving history  across the country.The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act also includes the following 5  offenses that will disqualify you from obtaining a CDL:Driving a commercial vehicle with a revoked, suspended, or canceled  CDLCausing a fatality through the negligent or criminal operation of a commercial motor vehicleDriving a commercial motor vehicle without obtaining a commercial driver’s licenseDrivi ng a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver’s license in possessionDriving without a required endorsement