Helping Georgians become Class A Commercial Drivers since 1992
Georgia Class A CDL Training
For more than three decades, Daly’s Truck Driving School has helped more than 30,000 students
launch careers behind the wheel of a Class A commercial vehicle.
Since 1992, we’ve trained Georgians for one goal:
passing the Georgia CDL exam and stepping into a high-demand career with confidence.
What Is a Class A CDL?
A Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) allows you to operate combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, where the towed unit exceeds 10,000 pounds.
In practical terms, that means:
- Tractor-trailers
- 18-wheelers
- Regional and over-the-road freight trucks
- Tankers and specialized commercial vehicles (with endorsements)
Class A drivers are the backbone of Georgia’s supply chain. From Atlanta distribution centers to I-85 freight corridors, these professionals keep goods moving.
Georgia CDL Requirements
To obtain a Class A CDL in Georgia, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate driving)
- Hold a valid Georgia driver’s license
- Pass a DOT physical
- Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
- Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider
- Pass the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) skills test
Daly’s Truck Driving School meets federal Entry-Level Driver Training requirements under 49 CFR 380.503 and prepares students specifically for the Georgia DDS testing process.
Class A Schedule
Full-Time
7am-5pm; Monday-Friday (17 days)
Part-Time
7am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday (17 days)
How Long Is the Class A CDL Program?
17 days. That’s it.
Our full-time CDL classes typically run Monday through Friday, with new classes starting every other week. Weekend options may also be available. In just over two weeks, you move from classroom instruction to permit testing to hands-on driving and finally to your road test.
What You’ll Learn During Class A CDL Training
Days 1–5: Classroom & Permit Preparation
Your first week is classroom-based and focused on preparing you to pass your Georgia CDL permit exam.
You will study:
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Combination Vehicles
- Safety and compliance standards
- Highway Watch security awareness training
Your primary objective during this week is mastering the Georgia CDL Manual and becoming test-ready within five days.
At the end of this phase, you’ll take your CDL permit test. Once you pass, you’re legally cleared to begin behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor.
And this is when things shift from theory to torque.
Days 6–10: Pre-Trip Inspection & Backing Maneuvers
Now the real hands-on training begins.
Pre-Trip Inspection
You’ll learn how to perform a detailed 35 to 45-minute inspection of your tractor-trailer.
You’ll identify and inspect:
- Brake systems
- Tires and wheels
- Suspension components
- Engine compartment
- Coupling systems
- Fuel and air systems
This is not memorization for the sake of memorization. It’s about safety, awareness, and passing the Georgia state exam exactly the way DDS expects it.
Students often say this is where confidence starts to click. You go from “I’ve never touched one of these” to “I know this machine.”
Backing Maneuvers
You’ll repeatedly practice the six required maneuvers:
- Straight line backing
- Offset backing (driver side)
- Offset backing (passenger side)
- Sight-side parallel parking
- Blind-side parallel parking
- Alley docking
Repetition builds muscle memory. Muscle memory builds confidence. Confidence passes tests.
Days 11–17: Shifting, Road Driving & Final Testing
This is where classroom learning becomes highway experience.
Clutch & Shifting Training
For the first two days on the road, the focus is shifting and clutch control. You’ll train on unsynchronized transmissions in a controlled setting.
Many students have never driven anything like this before. That’s normal. Our instructors walk you through it step by step.
On-Road Driving
You’ll spend multiple days driving a Class A commercial vehicle in real traffic conditions.
You’ll practice:
- Lane control
- Turning radius management
- Merging and highway driving
- Defensive driving techniques
- Urban and highway environments
By the final day, you will complete a full mock test under state exam conditions.
Where Do You Take the Georgia CDL Road Test?
After successfully completing Daly’s internal testing, you’ll take your official skills exam with the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- Class A students typically test at the Gainesville Testing Center, approximately 15 miles north of our facility.
- Daly’s provides the vehicle and coordinates the testing process.
This helps avoid delays common in the public testing system and keeps your timeline on track.
How Much Do Class A CDL Drivers Make in Georgia?
Driver pay continues to remain strong due to demand.
Highest Paying Locations in Georgia (TruckerReport):
- Augusta: $85,964/year
- Macon, Statesboro, Warner Robins: $85,866/year
- Atlanta: $64,045–$75,100/year
Entry-level drivers often qualify for:
- Sign-on bonuses
- Tuition reimbursement
- Benefits packages
- Performance incentives
Salary varies based on:
- Regional vs. OTR routes
- Experience level
- Endorsements (tanker, hazmat, doubles/triples)
- Company type
Demand for Class A drivers remains high across Georgia and the Southeast, and federal grants are often available for eligible applicants entering this workforce sector.
Job Placement Support
Daly’s Truck Driving School works with companies that actively hire entry-level Class A drivers.
While no school can guarantee employment, we connect graduates with hiring partners who:
✓ Recruit directly from our program
✓ Offer competitive entry-level packages
✓ Understand the quality of Daly’s training
When companies see a Daly’s graduate on an application, they know what kind of training that driver has received.
Why Choose Daly’s Truck Driving School?
- Established in 1992
- 30,000+ graduates
- 17-day program
- Georgia-focused CDL preparation
- Structured pre-trip and maneuver training
- Road test coordination assistance
- Located in Buford, serving the greater Atlanta area
We don’t just prepare you to pass a test.
We prepare you to operate a commercial vehicle safely, professionally, and confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions
In as little as 17 days through our full-time program.
No. Many students have never driven a commercial vehicle before starting training.
Federal grants may be available for eligible applicants entering this high-demand field.
Yes. Daly’s coordinates and provides the vehicle for your Georgia CDL skills test.
Start Your Class A CDL Training in Georgia
If you’re ready for a career that moves freight, powers logistics, and opens doors nationwide, Class A CDL training may be your next step.
Seventeen days from now, you could be holding a Georgia Class A CDL.
