CDL Jobs in Atlanta: How to Start and Grow Your Trucking Career

Atlanta is one of the busiest freight hubs in the Southeast, which makes CDL jobs in Atlanta a strong option if you’re looking for steady work, local routes, or higher-earning over-the-road (OTR) positions. Whether you’re just thinking about getting a commercial driver’s license or already have years of experience, Atlanta offers a wide range of opportunities.

This guide walks through how CDL jobs work in Atlanta, where to find them, what employers look for, typical pay structures, and local resources you can actually use.

Why Atlanta Is a Strong Market for CDL Jobs

Atlanta sits at the crossroads of several major interstates: I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285. It’s also home to:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (a major air cargo hub)
• Large distribution centers and warehouses in areas like Forest Park, College Park, Fairburn, Lithia Springs, and McDonough
• Rail yards and intermodal facilities serving regional and national freight

Because of this, Atlanta has regular demand for:

• Local CDL jobs (home daily or most nights)
• Regional routes (Southeast-focused, often home weekly)
• OTR positions (longer trips across multiple states)
• Specialized roles like tanker, flatbed, and hazmat

If you live in or near Atlanta, you’re positioned close to a lot of freight movement, which often translates into more job options and a mix of schedules.

Types of CDL Jobs in Atlanta

CDL jobs in Atlanta vary widely. The type of freight and route structure you choose will shape your schedule, pay, and lifestyle.

1. Local CDL Jobs (Home Daily)

These Atlanta-area roles usually start and end each day at the same terminal or yard.

Common local setups:

• Pickup and delivery (P&D) around Metro Atlanta
• Shuttle/yard driver positions moving trailers between nearby facilities
• Grocery and retail store delivery
• LTL (less-than-truckload) city drivers making multiple stops

Pros:

• Home daily or most nights
• Predictable start times on many routes
• Familiar territory (inside Metro Atlanta and nearby suburbs)

Considerations:

• More city driving, tight docks, and traffic on I‑285 and the Downtown Connector
• Physical work for some jobs (unloading, using pallet jacks, liftgates, etc.)

2. Regional CDL Jobs (Southeast-Focused)

Regional drivers based in Atlanta typically run in states like Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.

Pros:

• Often home weekly (or more frequently, depending on the carrier)
• More miles than most local jobs
• Mix of interstate and city driving

Considerations:

• Overnights on the road in sleeper cabs
• May involve weekend work depending on the company and route

3. OTR (Over-the-Road) CDL Jobs

Atlanta is a common starting point for nationwide OTR routes, especially for larger carriers.

Pros:

• Typically higher mileage and earning potential
• Opportunity to see other parts of the country
• Often steady freight out of Atlanta due to major distribution centers

Considerations:

• Long stretches away from home (weeks at a time)
• More emphasis on time management, trip planning, and self-sufficiency

4. Specialized CDL Jobs in Atlanta

Certain CDL endorsements and skills open doors to more specialized positions:

• Tanker: Fuel, chemicals, or food-grade liquids serving gas stations, plants, and facilities across Metro Atlanta
• Hazmat (H) or Tanker/Hazmat (X): Hazardous materials, fuel, and specialty freight
• Flatbed: Construction materials, machinery, and industrial loads around Atlanta’s industrial corridors
• Refrigerated (reefer): Temperature-controlled freight, common with grocery and food distribution

Specialized roles sometimes offer higher pay but may require more training, safety focus, or physical work (for example, securing loads on flatbeds).

CDL Classes and Endorsements You’ll Use Most in Atlanta

Atlanta employers commonly look for:

• CDL Class A

  • Tractor-trailers, most regional and OTR work, many local jobs
  • Often preferred by large distribution centers and long-haul carriers

• CDL Class B

  • Straight trucks, dump trucks, some delivery and waste management roles
  • Common with city services and local delivery companies

Helpful endorsements in the Atlanta market:

• H – Hazmat: For jobs hauling hazardous materials
• N – Tanker or X – Tanker/Hazmat combo
• T – Double/Triple Trailers (useful with some LTL carriers)
• P – Passenger (for buses, shuttles, some city transit roles)

The more relevant endorsements you have, the more roles you can qualify for—especially around big rail yards, fuel terminals, and industrial corridors in the Metro area.

Getting Your CDL in Atlanta: Key Steps

If you don’t have a CDL yet, Atlanta has multiple paths to get started.

Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements

In Georgia, to get a CDL you generally must:

• Be at least 18 for intrastate (within Georgia) driving
• Be at least 21 for interstate (across state lines), hazmat, and most OTR jobs
• Hold a valid Georgia driver’s license
• Have a clean enough driving record for the type of job you want
• Pass a DOT medical exam with a certified medical examiner

Step 2: Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

You’ll need to pass the written knowledge tests at a Georgia DDS (Department of Driver Services) location.

Common Atlanta-area DDS Customer Service Centers include:

• Atlanta CSC – 400 Whitehall St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Decatur CSC – 2801 Candler Rd, Decatur, GA 30034
• Forest Park CSC – 5036 GA-85, Forest Park, GA 30297

You can contact the Georgia DDS main information line at (678) 413‑8400 to confirm hours and CDL testing availability.

Step 3: CDL Training in the Atlanta Area

Many employers prefer (or require) proof of formal CDL training that meets current federal standards.

In and around Atlanta, you’ll typically find:

• Private truck driving schools offering full CDL-A or CDL-B programs
• Community/technical college programs in the Greater Atlanta region
• Company-sponsored training programs through larger carriers that recruit in Atlanta

When comparing programs, consider:

• Training length and schedule (full-time vs. evenings/weekends)
• Whether they help with the road/skills test scheduling
• Job placement assistance in Atlanta or nearby cities
• Total cost, financing, or any work commitments if it’s company-sponsored

Step 4: CDL Skills Test

Once you have your permit and training, you’ll schedule a CDL skills test, which includes:

• Pre-trip inspection
• Basic vehicle control
• Road driving test

These tests are given at designated locations. Some schools use third-party examiners; others schedule through the Georgia DDS system.

Where CDL Drivers Work in Atlanta

You’ll find CDL jobs all over Metro Atlanta, but certain areas tend to have a higher concentration of trucking activity.

Major Freight & Distribution Areas

• Forest Park / Lake City / Morrow

  • Close to major distribution centers and the Atlanta State Farmers Market
  • Many food and retail warehouses

• College Park / East Point / Hapeville

  • Near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Air cargo, airport support, and local delivery operations

• Fairburn / Union City / Palmetto

  • Large warehouses and truck terminals along I‑85
  • Common base for regional and OTR carriers

• Lithia Springs / Douglasville

  • Distribution and manufacturing near I‑20 west of the city

• McDonough / Locust Grove

  • Major distribution centers serving the Southeast via I‑75

• Norcross / Duluth / Suwanee

  • Warehousing, LTL terminals, and logistics companies along I‑85 northeast

Common Employers and Sectors

While specific hiring needs change, Atlanta CDL drivers often work in:

• Trucking and logistics carriers (local, regional, OTR)
• Warehouse and distribution centers that run private fleets
• Grocery and foodservice delivery
• Construction and building materials (dump trucks, flatbeds)
• Waste management and recycling (CDL-B and CDL-A)
• Public transit and school districts (CDL with passenger/school bus endorsements)

It’s common for drivers to start with a larger carrier to gain experience, then move into more specialized or local roles based out of Atlanta once they have a solid driving record.

Typical Pay and Schedules for CDL Jobs in Atlanta

Pay varies by experience, endorsements, and the company, but you’ll usually see a few basic structures.

Common Pay Structures

• Hourly pay

  • Common in local P&D, city driving, and some CDL-B roles
  • May include overtime after a certain number of hours

• Mileage pay (cents per mile)

  • Common for regional and OTR CDL-A jobs
  • Sometimes combined with accessorial pay (detention, layover, extra stops)

• Day rate / route pay

  • Some local and regional routes pay per route or per day completed

• Weekly salary or minimum guarantee

  • Occasionally offered by carriers to stabilize pay from week to week

Add-ons can include:

• Night or weekend differentials
• Safety or performance bonuses
• Extra pay for endorsements (hazmat, tanker, etc.)

Work Schedules in the Atlanta Market

• Local drivers

  • Often on early morning or night shifts to avoid the worst traffic
  • Some routes run Monday–Friday; others include weekends or rotating days off

• Regional and OTR drivers

  • Common patterns: 5–7 days out with 1–2 days home, or 2–3 weeks out with longer home time
  • Home time typically starts near your Atlanta-area domicile or terminal

It’s important to ask any potential employer:

• What a typical week looks like
• How often drivers actually get home (vs. what’s advertised)
• How traffic in and around I‑285, I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20 affects start times and runs

What Atlanta Employers Look for in CDL Drivers

Whether you’re applying for your first CDL job or switching companies, many Atlanta employers focus on:

• Valid CDL (A or B) with required endorsements
• Clean driving record or limited, explainable violations
• Ability to pass a DOT drug and alcohol test
• Medical qualification (current DOT medical card)
• For some roles, 1–2 years of verifiable experience

Soft skills matter too:

• Comfort driving in heavy Atlanta traffic and tight city streets
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Ability to communicate with dispatch, customers, and shipping staff

For jobs that require physical work (such as unloading freight), you may also be expected to handle:

• Pallet jacks, hand trucks, or liftgates
• Securing freight with straps, chains, or load bars
• Repeated steps in and out of trailers

How to Find CDL Jobs in Atlanta

You can approach your CDL job search in Atlanta from several angles.

1. Online Job Boards and Company Sites

Search keywords like:

• “CDL jobs Atlanta GA”
• “local CDL A driver Atlanta”
• “regional truck driver Atlanta”
• “CDL B driver Atlanta”

Filter by:

• Home time (daily, weekly, etc.)
• Endorsement requirements
• Experience level (entry-level vs. experienced)

2. Trucking Schools and Training Programs

If you’re still in school or just finished, ask:

• Which companies regularly recruit from your program
• Whether there are Atlanta-based carriers that work closely with them
• If they host recruiter visits or hiring events

3. Industrial and Distribution Areas

Some Atlanta drivers still find jobs by:

• Visiting truck terminals and distribution centers in areas like Forest Park, Fairburn, Lithia Springs, or McDonough
• Looking for “Drivers Wanted” signage at yard entrances
• Asking about walk-in application times

Be prepared with:

• Your CDL, medical card, and work history
• A simple resume with past employment and references if possible

4. Staffing and Driver Placement Agencies

There are driver-focused staffing agencies in Metro Atlanta that specialize in:

• Temp-to-hire driving roles
• Filling local and regional needs for various companies
• Helping newer drivers gain experience

These agencies can sometimes find you short-term or flexible driving work while you decide on a more permanent position.

Local Resources for CDL Drivers in Atlanta

Here are some practical Atlanta-area resources that many CDL drivers use or may need.

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

For permits, CDL testing, renewals, and endorsements:

• Atlanta CSC
  • 400 Whitehall St SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
• Decatur CSC
  • 2801 Candler Rd
  • Decatur, GA 30034
• Forest Park CSC
  • 5036 GA-85
  • Forest Park, GA 30297

Main information line: (678) 413‑8400
DDS locations can provide information on:

• CDL knowledge and skills test scheduling
• Endorsement requirements
• Fee schedules and renewal processes

Georgia Department of Labor (Atlanta Area Offices)

For job search assistance and career services:

• Atlanta Career Center
  • 223 Courtland St NE
  • Atlanta, GA 30303

The Department of Labor can help with:

• Job listings, including CDL and transportation roles
• Resume assistance and interview preparation
• Information on training or retraining programs

Truck Stops and Driver Services Around Atlanta

Atlanta-area truck stops and travel centers can be useful for:

• Networking with other drivers
• Seeing flyers and job postings
• Rest, showers, and parking (where available)

You’ll find major truck stops clustered along:

• I‑285, especially near I‑75 north and south, and I‑20 west
• I‑75 and I‑85 corridors just outside the central city

Parking near the urban core can be limited, so many drivers plan stops outside I‑285 when possible.

Tips for Succeeding as a CDL Driver in Atlanta

A few Atlanta-specific considerations can make your workday smoother:

• Plan around traffic:

  • Morning and evening rush hours on I‑285 and the Downtown Connector can add significant delay. Many drivers try to travel through central Atlanta early morning, late at night, or between rush-hour peaks.

• Know your low clearances and truck routes:

  • Avoid unfamiliar surface streets without checking for low bridges or truck restrictions, especially closer to Downtown, Midtown, and older neighborhoods.

• Use truck-friendly GPS and backup directions:

  • Rely on routing that accounts for truck restrictions, and keep backup directions from dispatch or shippers.

• Watch weather and hills:

  • While Atlanta doesn’t see extreme winter weather often, icy days can affect hilly areas and bridges quickly. Many carriers adjust operations on severe days.

• Keep paperwork organized:

  • Shippers and receivers in large Atlanta distribution centers often move quickly; having bills of lading and IDs ready can keep your day on track.

Quick Overview: CDL Job Paths in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or are planning to base your trucking career here, you have access to a wide range of CDL job options, from entry-level local positions to specialized, higher-paying roles. Understanding the local market, using Atlanta’s training and licensing resources, and targeting the types of driving that fit your lifestyle will help you build a stable and sustainable career behind the wheel.