Louisiana CDL Handbook

MANUAL

CDL Study Manual COPYRIGHT AAMVA All Rights Reserved Revised Version 2005

LOUISIANA

COMMERCIAL

DRIVER’S LICENSE

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. DTFH61-97-X-00017. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Table of Contents

Page

Louisiana has 5 classes of driver’s license: i-ii

CDL Requirements iii

CDL Renewals Office Locations

iv

CDL Full Service Office Locations v

Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1-1

Driving Safely......................................................................................................................2-1

Transporting Cargo Safely .....................................................................................3-1

Transporting Passengers Safely ......................................................................4-1

Air Brakes...............................................................................................................................5-1

Combination Vehicles .................................................................................................6-1

Doubles and Triples......................................................................................................7-1

Tank Vehicles.....................................................................................................................8-1

Hazardous Materials....................................................................................................9-1

School Bus ..........................................................................................................................10-1

Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection .................................................................................11-1

Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test....................................................................12-1

On-Road Driving ............................................................................................................13-1

Louisiana has 5 classes of driver’s license: R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(a) and 405.1: Class "A" Commercial Driver's License - Combination Vehicles Age Requirements: 18 years or above for intrastate and 21 years or above for interstate. Permits the operation of all vehicl es within Classes "B," "C," "D," and "E," wit h any appropriate endorsements and any combination of v ehicles with a gross c ombination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10, 000 pounds. NOTE: If the pulling unit of the combination vehicle is 26,000 pounds or less, a restriction (55 - No 18-wheelers) must be added to the license. R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(b) and 405.1: Class "B" Commercial Driver's License - Heavy Straight Vehicle Age Requirements: 18 years or above for intrastate and 21 years or above for interstate. Permits the operation of any v ehicle within Classes "C," "D," and "E," wit h any appropriate endorsement(s) plus any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand and one or more pounds, or any such v ehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating. A "straight vehicle" is defined fo r the purpose of this class as being one that does not bend or have a moveable joint in its frame between the driver seat and the cargo or passenger compartment. R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(c) and 405.1: Class "C" Commercial Driver's License - Light Vehicle Age Requirements: 18 years or above for intrastate and 21 years or above for interstate. Permits the operation of any vehicle wit hin Classes "D" and "E", with any appropriate endorsement(s), plus any single vehicle le ss than 26,001 pounds GVWR, or such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. This group includes v ehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and which are not within the definition of a Group "A" or "B" vehicle, and vehicles used in the transportation of placarded amounts of hazardous materials. R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(d) and 405.1: Class "D" Chauffeurs Driver's License Age Requirements: 17 years or above. Permits the operation of all vehicles included in Class "E" plus any single motor vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or proper ty if the motor vehicle has a gros s vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds but less than 26,001 pounds, or any combination of vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle has a combined vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds but less than 26,001 pounds inclusive of a towed un it with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or any vehicle des igned or utilized for the transportation of passengers for hire or fee; and not utilized in the transportation of materials found t o be haz ardous under the provisions of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act which requir es the vehicle to bear a plac ard under the provision of Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F).

i R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(e) and 405.1: Class "E" Driver's License - Personal Vehicle Age Requirements: 17 years or above. Permits the operation of any single motor v ehicle under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, any personal use recreational vehicle and farm vehicles controlled and operated by a farmer to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to and from a farm within 150 air miles of the owner's or operat or's farm (not used in operation of a Common or Contract Carrier, and not used to transpor t passengers or property for hire)or any other vehicle which is not used in the transportation of hazardous materials wh ich is required to be placarded. No first-time application for a Louisiana Class "E" license shall be received from any person seventeen (17) year s of age or older unless there is also submitted with the application written evidence of the successful completion by the applicant of a full thirty-six (36) hour driver's education course or of an approved six (6) hour "pre -licensing" training c ourse which was approved by the L ouisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections . New applicants transferring in with an out-of-state, foreign, or militar y license are exempt from this requirement. In addition, this requirement shall not apply to those seventeen (17) years of age if they do not live within twenty-five (25) miles of a location which provides such course. Note: The mentioned classes do not include the operation of motorcycles and motorscooters except as an endorsement to the basic license. ENDORSEMENTS: R.S. 32:408 (3) The following endorsements are possible to the classes of Commercial Driver's Licenses: "T" Double/Triple Trailers "P" Passenger "N" Tank Vehicles "H" Hazardous Materials * (issued only to persons 21 years of age or above)* "X" CombinationTank Vehicles and Hazardous Materials "M" Motorcycle "S" School Bus

ii

•Valid picture driver’s license

•Supplemental Application Form (DPSMV 2211) – Enclosure A

•Current, complete Physical Examination (DPSMV 2219) or it’s equivalent

•Proof of liability insurance on personally owned vehicle/s

•Proof of Social Security number

•Application fee is $15 (cash only) due at the time of application

•Upon passing required test/s, applicant will be issued a 60 day learner’s

permit.

•Applicant is required to m

ake an appointment with a CDL Third Party Examiner for administration of the sk ills test (pre-trip inspecti on, basic controls and road driving). A list of CDL Third Party Examiner’s is available at any Office of Motor Vehicles location.

•Upon successful completion of the sk

ills test, the Examiner will issue a Certificate of Successful Completion and place it in a sealed envelope to be presented to the CDL office for i ssuance. Tampering with this envelope may result in invalidation of your test. CDL RENEWALS:

•CDL driver’s license

•Current, complete Physical Examination (DPSMV 2219) or it’s equivalent

•Proof of liability insurance on personally owned vehicle/s

•Testing i s requi red for renewal of Hazardous Materi

als endorsement. Hazmat testing is only conducted at a full-service CDL issuing office.

•Fingerprint background check must be within most recent 180 days.

Fees (Cash only):

•Application fee (initial and renewal) $15.00

•CDL driver’s license fee

- $41.00 ($51.00 for Orleans parish)

•Endorsements -

$ 5.00 each

•Parish fee (if applicable)

• - up to $3.00 Questions: 225-925-6146 or www.expresslane.org CDL REQUIREMENTS INITIAL ISSUANCE: iii

CDL RENEWAL ONLY OFFICES

Abbeville 2780 Old Erath Rd., 70510 Arcadia 2428 Second St., Suite A, 71001 Baker 2250 Main St., 70714 Bastrop 510 N. Washington St., 71220 Baton Rouge 7701 Independence Blvd, 70806 Bogalusa 62041 Benjamin Rd., 70427 Bossier City 3802 Kilpatrick Drive, 71112 Bunkie 1136 Shirley Rd., 71322 Chalmette 1009 West Moreau St., 70043 Clinton 11086 Bank St., 70722 Colfax 401 Eighth St., 71417 Columbia 232 Rise St., 71418 Coushatta 1213 East Carrol, 71019 Crowley 1710 West Second, 70527 Denham Springs 527 Florida Blvd, 70726 DeRidder 2356 Hwy 190 West, 70634 Eunice 251 West Park St., 70535 Farmerville 303C East Water St, 71242 Golden Meadow 500 Alex Plaisance Drive, 70357 Gonzales 1056 East Worthy Rd., 70737 Gramercy 827 N. Pine St., Suite B, 70052 Greensburg Corner Hamberline & S. Main, 70441 Houma 106 Moss Lane, 70360 Jena First & Catahoula St., 70546 Jennings 210 State St., 70546 Mansfield 619 Franklin St., 71052 Many 109 North Highland, 71449 Marksville 311 North Monroe, 71351 Morgan City 1200 Victor II Blvd., 70380 Napoleonville 205 Martin Luther King, 70390 New Iberia 1613 Main St., 70563 New Roads 206 Court St., 70760 Oakdale 229 South 10th St., 71263 Oak Grove 706 E. Main St., Suite 1, 71263 Opelousas 5537 I-49 Service Rd., 70570 Pineville 831 Main St., 71360 Plaquemine 23640 Railroad Ave., 70765 Port Allen 777 Michigan Ave., 70767 Rayville Lynn Gaye Robertson Rd.,71269 Sulphur 940 Beglis Parkway, 70663 Vivian 102A East Georgia, 71082 Westwego 419 Avenue A, 70094 Winnfield 100 West Main St., Courthouse Blvd., Room 1, 71438 iv

CDL FULL SERVICE OFFICES

Alexandria 5601 C. Coliseum Blvd, 71303 Baton Rouge 7701 Independence Blvd. 70809 Bossier City 3802 Kilpatrick Dr., 71112 Hammond 1320 N. Morrison, Suite 113, 70401 Hammond 2 219 E. Robert St., 70401 Harvey 2150 Westbank Expressway, 70058 Homer 822-I West Main St., 71040 Jonesboro 524 Pershing Hwy, 71251 Lafayette 3241 N. W. Evangeline Thurway, Suite A, 70508 Lake Charles 951 Main St., 70601 Leesville 9219 Shreveport Hwy, 71446 Mansfield 619 Franklin St., 71052 Metairie 6701 Airline Hwy., 70003 Minden 301 Morris Drive, 71055 Monroe 5171 Northeast Rd., 71201 Natchitoches #10 Bienville Square, 71457 Reserve 4034 West Airline Hwy, 70084 Ruston 2025 Farmerville Hwy, 71270 Shreveport 9310 Normandie Drive, 71118 Slidell 1514 W. Lindberg, 70458 Springhill 235 North Main, 71075 Thibodaux 1424 Tiger Drive, 71075 Vidalia 4951 Hwy 84 West, 71373 Winnsboro 2601 Loop Rd., 71295

v Does the vehicle or combination of vehicles have a manufacturer’s weight rating (GVWR) over 26,000 pounds? •Commercial Driver License Tests •Driver Disqualifications •Other Safety Rules There is a federal requirement that each state have minimum standards for the licensing of commercial drivers. This manual provides driver li cense testing information for d rivers who wish to have a commercial driver license (CDL). This manual does NOT provide information on all the fe deral and state requirements needed before you can drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). You may have to contact your state driver licensing authority for additional information. You must have a CDL to operate: • Any single v ehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. • A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is 26,001 pounds or more. • A vehicle designed to transport 1 6 o r more passengers (including the driver). • Any size vehicle that is used in the transportation of any ma terial that re quires hazardous m aterials pla cards or any q uantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73.

To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests. Thi s manual will help you pass the tests. This ma nual is not a substitute for a truck driver training cl ass or program. Form al trai ning is the most reliable way to le arn the m any special skills required for safely drivi ng a la rge commercial vehicle and becoming a professional driver in th e trucking industry. Figure 1.1 helps you determine if you need a CDL. Is the vehicle a combination vehicle towing a unit over 10,000 pounds GVWR? You need a Class A CDL.

No Yes

No Yes

No No

Yes

No No

NOTE: A bus may be Class A, B, or C depending on whether the GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or is a combination vehicle. Does the single vehicle have a GVWR over 26,000 pounds? You need a Class B CDL.

Is the vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver)? You need a Class C CDL.

Does the vehicle require hazardous material placards or transport a select agent or toxin? You need a Class C CDL.

You DO NOT need a CDL.

Figure 1.1 2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual

Do You Need a CDL?

No Yes

Yes

INTRODUCTION

This Section Covers

Section 1 - Introduction

What Sections Should You Study? | | | | | | | | | |

| | LICENSE TYPE | | | ENDORSEMENT | | | | |

| | Class A | Class B | Class C | Hazardous Materials | Double / Triple | Tank Vehicles | Passenger | School Bus |

Sections to Study | 1 | X | X | X | | | | | |

| 2 | X | X | X | | | | | |

| 3 | X X | | X | | X X | | X X | |

| 4 | | | | X | | X | X | X |

| 5* | X | X | X | | | | X | X |

| 6 | X | | | | X | | | |

| 7 | | | | | X | | | |

| 8 | | | | | | X | | |

| 9 | | | | X | | | | |

| 10 | | | | | | | | X |

| 11 | X | X | X | | | | X | X |

| 12 | X | X | X | | | | X | X |

| 13 | X | X | X | | | | X | X |

*Study section 5 if you plan to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes. | | | | | | | | | |

Figure 1.2

1.2 – Driver Disqualifications

1.2.1 – General

You may not drive a com mercial moto r vehicle if you are disqualified for any reason. 2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual

turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. Th e examiner will tell you where to drive. Figure 1.2 details which sections of this manual you should study for each particular class of license and for each endorsement. What Sections Should You Study? 1.1 – Commercial Driver License Tests

1.1.1 – Knowledge Tests

You will have to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what cl ass of li cense and what endorsements you ne ed. The CDL knowledge tests include: • The general knowledge test, taken by all applicants. • The passenger transport test, taken by all bus driver applicants. • The air brakes test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes, including air over hydraulic brakes. • The combination vehicles test, which i s required if you want to drive combination vehicles. • The h azardous materials test, re quired if you want to haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts that require placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73. • The tanker te st, required if you want to haul a liquid or liquid gas in a permanently mounted cargo ta nk rated at 119 gallons o r m ore or a portable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more. • The doubles/triples test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers. • The Sch ool Bus test, required if you want to drive a school bus. 1.1.2 – Skills Tests

If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL skills tests. There are three types of general skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must ta ke th ese test s in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested to see if you know whethe r y our vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why. Basic Vehicle Control. You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicl

• e. You will be asked to move your vehicle forwar d, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done. On-road Test. You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variet y of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right Section 1 - Introduction 2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual 1.2.2 – Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Commission of a Felony It is illegal to operate a CMV if your bl ood alcohol concentration (BAC) i s .04% or mo re. If you operate a CMV, you sh all be deemed to have given your consent to alcohol testing. You will l ose your CDL for at least one year for a first offense for: • Driving a CMV if yo ur bloo d alco hol concentration is .04% or higher. • Driving a CMV under the influence of alcohol. • Refusing to undergo blood alcohol testing. • Driving a CMV while un der the influen ce of a controlled substance. • Leaving the scene of an accide nt involving a CMV. • Committing a felony involving the use of a CMV. You will lose your CDL for at least three years if the offense occurs while you are operating a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials. You will lose your CDL for life for a second offense. You will lose your CDL for life if you use a CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances. You will be put out-of-serv ice for 24 hours if you have any d etectable amount of al cohol under .04%. 1.2.3 – Serious Traffic Violations Serious traffic violations are excessive speeding (15 mph o r more ab ove the poste d limit), reckle ss driving, improper or erratic lane changes, following a vehicle too closely, driving a CMV with improper class license/endorsement, driving a CMV without the pro per licen se in your po ssession and traffic offenses co mmitted in a CMV in con nection with fatal traffic accidents. You will lose your CDL: • For at least 60 days if you have committed two serious traffic violations within a three-year period involving a CMV. • For at lea st 120 days fo r three serio us traffi c violations within a three-year period involving a CMV. 1.2.4 – Violation of Out-of-Service Orders You will lose your CDL: • For at least 180 days if you have committed your first violation of an o ut-of-service violation order. • For at lea st two years if you h ave com mitted two out-of-service violation orders in a ten-year period. • For at least three years if you have committed three or more out-of-service violation orders in a ten-year period. 1.2.5 – Railroad-highway Grade Crossing Violations You will lose your CDL: • For at least 60 days for your first violation. • For at least 120 days for your second violation within any three-year period. • For at least one year for your third violation within any three-year period. These violations include violation of a federal, state or local law or regulation pertaining to one of the following six offense s at a railroad-highway grade crossing: • For drivers who are not required to always stop, failing to sto p before reaching the crossing if the tracks are not clear. • For drivers who are not required to always stop, failing to sl ow do wn and check that the tracks are clear of an approaching train. • For d rivers who are al ways req uired to stop, failing to stop before driving onto the crossing. • For all drivers failing to have sufficient space to drive co mpletely through the crossin g without stopping. • For all drivers failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enfo rcement official at the crossing. • For all drivers failing to negotiate a crossing because o f insufficie nt undercarri age clearance. 1.2.6 – Hazardous Materials Endorsement Background Check and Disqualifications If you require a haza rdous materials endorsement you will be required to subm it your fingerprints and be subject to a background check. You will be denied or y ou will lose your hazardous materials endorsement if you: • Are not a lawful perman ent resident of the United States. • Renounce your United States citizenship. • Are wanted or under indictment for certain felonies. Section 1 - Introduction 2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual • Have a conviction in military or civilian court for certain felonies. • Have been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution. • Are considered to pose a se curity threat as determined by the Transp ortation Security Administration. 1.3 – Other CDL Rules There are ot her federal and state rules that affect drivers operating CMVs i n all states. Among them are: • You cannot have more than one license. If you break this rule, a court may fine you up to $5,000 or put you in jail a nd keep your home state license and return any others. • You must not ify your employer within 30 days of convictio n for any traffic violation s (exce pt parking). Thi s i s tru e n o matter what type of vehicle you were driving. • You must notify your motor vehicle licensi ng agency within 30 day s if you are convicted in any other jurisdiction of any traffic violation (except pa rking). Thi s i s true no matte r wh at type of vehicle you were driving. • You must notify your emp loyer if you r license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if you are disqualified from driving. • You must give your employer information on all driving jobs you have he ld for the past 10 years. You m ust do this when you apply for a commercial driving job. • No one can drive a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL. A cou rt may fine you up to $5,000 or put you in jail for breaking this rule. • If you have a h azardous materials endorsement you must notify and surrender your hazardous materials endorsement to the state that i ssued your CDL within 24 hours of any conviction or indictment in any jurisdiction, civilian o r mi litary, for, or found not g uilty by reason of in sanity of a disq ualifying crime listed in 49 CFR 1572.103; who is adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution as specified in 49 CFR 1572.109; or who renounces his or her U. S. citizenship; • Your employer may not let you drive a commercial motor vehicle if you have more than one license or if your CDL is suspend ed or revoked. A court may fine the employer up to $5,000 or put him/her in jail for breaking this rule. • All states are connected to one co mputerized system to share information about CDL drivers. The states w ill check on drivers' accident re cords a nd b e su re that drivers do not have more than one CDL. Section 1 - Introduction