Section 1 of 13
Introduction
Introduction
Commercial
Driver License
Manual
2005 CDL Testing System (July 2014)
CDL Driver’s Manual COPYRIGHT © 2005 AAMVA All Rights Reserved 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.
COPYRIGHT © 2005 AAMVA. All rights reserved
This material has been created for and provided to State Driver License Agencies (SDLAs) by AAMVA for the purpose of educating Driver License applicants (Commercial or Non-Commercial). Permission to reproduce, use, distribute or sell this material has been granted to SDLAs only. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. Any unauthorized reprint, use, distribution or sale of this material is prohibited. This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Motor Carrier FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FORMS, PLEASE VISIT THE OUR WEBSITE AT www.dmv.ri.gov
MEDICAL CERTIFICATION Medical Qualifications: Unless specifically exempted, you must possess a valid medical examiner’s certificate in order to operate a commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 391.41). Government employees (e.g., federal, state, country or city employees), while operating government owned vehicles, are exempt from the medical requirement. Failure to comply will result in a downgrade of your license. YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR NEW MEDICAL CARD TO THE DMV WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS OF ISSUANCE.
SELF-CERTIFICATION Please read the following information carefully as failure to comply could result in a downgrade of your CDL.
You will be asked to certify that you are one of the following: ƔInterstate Commerce Excepted ƔInterstate Commerce Non-excepted * ƔIntrastate Commerce Excepted ƔIntrastate Commerce Non-Excepted *
*Interstate and Intrastate non-excepted CDL holders will be required to present a current valid medical card (49 CFR 391.45) to the RI DMV. ALL CDL HOLDERS MUST SELF-CERTIFY
Electronic/Manual Knowledge Tests o Tests for CDLs and endorsements are only given at the DMV’s main office in Cranston from 8:30am – 2:00pm. o Only one of each type of exam may be taken per day. If you do not achieve a passing score on any exam, you must wait 5 business days before applying to re-take that portion of the exam. o You are required to pass all knowledge tests for which you have applied within 90 days of application. When you have passed the required tests, you must obtain a permit. The permit is valid for 90 days and you may obtain only 1 renewal for an additional 90 day period. o All tests are based on information contained in the Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA 2005 CDL Testing Model, Issued July 2014).
Road Tests o Road tests are given by and must be scheduled with the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). To schedule an appointment please call the CCRI at (401) 825-1146. You must have in your possession your valid RI license and CDL permit. In addition, you must supply a motor vehicle which is representative of the type of motor vehicle that you operate or expect to operate, and this vehicle must be properly registered, inspected and insured. You must also be accompanied by a driver with the license class and endorsement(s) required to operate this vehicle.
Hazardous Materials Endorsements o The USA Patriot Act is part of the new Homeland Security legislation passed by Congress in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a federal agency created as a result of this legislation and oversees security measures for all types of transportation. o Commercial drivers carrying the HazMat endorsement on their CDL are required to have a background check. The background check includes collecting the individual's fingerprints and verification of US citizenship, immigration eligibility or permanent legal residence in the United States. The TSA has designated Integrated Biometrics Technology as the vendor to complete the fingerprint process for all HazMat applicants. The fee for the security check is $86.50, payable by credit card, electronic check or money order only (no cash will be accepted). The driver can complete the TSA HazMat driver application on the TSA - HazPrints Website or call the toll-free Driver Help Desk at 1-877-429-7746 for assistance. The application must be completed prior to arriving at the fingerprint capture location. Please be advised that it takes approximately 4-5 weeks to process your background check application.
FEE SCHEDULE: ELECTRONIC / MANUAL TESTS:
Application | $10.00
Examinations | $10.00 each
Issuance of Permit | $20.00
Permit Renewal | $20.00
Road Test | $100.00
| Test | | | # of Questions | | | # Correct to pass | | | % Correct to pass |
General Knowledge | | | 50 | | | 40 | | | 80 | |
Air Brakes | | | 25 | | | 20 | | | 80 | |
Combination | | | 20 | | | 16 | | | 80 | |
Tankers | | | 20 | | | 16 | | | 80 | |
Passenger | | | 20 | | | 16 | | | 80 | |
Doubles / Triples | | | 20 | | | 16 | | | 80 | |
Hazardous Materials | | | 30 | | | 24 | | | 80 | |
School Bus | | | 20 | | | 16 | | | 80 | |
Please note: A technology surcharge of $2.50 may apply to the above mentioned fees per transaction. GUIDELINES FOR CDL APPLICANTS
Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) are only issued at the main office in Cranston. (600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920) You must have a valid operator’s license for at least two years and be at least 18 years old for an INTRASTATE CDL ONLY; 21 years old for a regular CDL All applicants must submit an Affidavit for CDL History Check and a 10 year CDL history check will be conducted, which may affect the applicant’s eligibility All applicants must present a valid Social Security card All applicants must present a valid Medical Card, if non-excepted* to obtain a CLP
All other fees can be found on the DMV web site - www. dmv.ri.gov Class A Examples of Group A vehicles include but are not limited to: A Class A CDL authorizes the operation of any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. (Holders of a Group A license may, with any appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Group B and C.)
To qualify/apply: The following endorsement exams are also available: x Possess a valid operator’s license x Provide proof of identity and proof of residency x Complete an Application for Commercial Driver’s License and Affidavit for CDL History Check x Pass a CDL General Knowledge Test x Pass a CDL Combination Test x Pass a CDL Air Brakes Test x Pass a CDL Skills Test (Road Test) x H – HazMat x P – Passenger x S – School Bus x N – Tank Vehicles x X – HazMat/Tank Vehicle Combination x T – Double/Triple Trailers
Class B Examples of Group B vehicles include but are not limited to: A Class B CDL authorizes the operation of any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. (Holders of a Group B license may, with any appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Group C.)
x An Air Brakes test may be taken, which will prevent a restriction against operating vehicles with air brakes from being applied to the license. x The following endorsement exams are also available: To qualify/apply: x Possess a valid operator’s license x Provide proof of identity and proof of residency x Complete an Application for Commercial Driver’s License and Affidavit for CDL History Check x Pass a CDL General Knowledge Test x Pass a CDL Skills Test (Road Test) o H – HazMat o P – Passenger o S – School Bus o N – Tank Vehicles o X – HatMat/Tank Vehicle Combination
Class C Examples of Group C vehicles include but are not limited to: A Class C CDL authorizes the operation of any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Group A or Group B as contained herein, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.
To qualify/apply: The following endorsement exams are also available: x Possess a valid operator’s license x Provide proof of identity and proof of residency x Complete an Application for Commercial Driver’s License and Affidavit for CDL History Check x Pass a CDL General Knowledge Test x Pass either a Passenger or HazMat endorsement test x Pass a CDL Skills Test (Road Test) (Passenger and School Bus only) x S – School Bus x N – Tank Vehicles LICENSE CLASSES: The following describes the requirements for applying for each class of CDL.
H - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:
Required on ANY LICENSE CLASS when the operator is transporting hazardous materials, in any quantity, requiring placarding by Federal DOT regulations.
P – PASSENGER:
Required on ANY LICENSE CLASS when the vehicle being operated is designed to seat more than 16 passengers including the operator. A Class B license is needed with this endorsement if the vehicle exceeds 26,000 pounds GVWR. Green application for chauffeur license must be completed.
S – SCHOOL BUS:
Required for Class A, B and C operators who drive a school bus vehicle. Operators must first obtain a RI School Bus Certificate through the DMV School Bus Safety Office.
N – TANK VEHICLES:
Required on ANY LICENSE CLASS when transporting liquid or gaseous material in a tank vehicle, or any portable tank having a rating capacity of 1,000 gallons or more.
X – HAZMAT/TANK VEHICLE
This endorsement combines endorsements H and N. Both examinations must be taken. COMBINATION: T – DOUBLE/TRIPLE TRAILERS: Required for Class A operators who haul Double/Triple trailers (where operation is permitted by law).
NOTE: The above classes/endorsements do not include the operation of motorcycles or motor driven cycles.
Electronic / Manual Test Instructions: Do not start the test until you have read all the instructions.
This is a test of the knowledge required to safely drive TYPE OF TEST OR VEHICLE. There are XX questions on the test. There are time limits for the tests ranging from 60 minutes to 120 minutes.
Electronic testing: Read each question. Make sure you read all the possible answers. Decide which answer is best. There is only one best answer to each question. You can choose to touch the screen or use a mouse to make your selection.
Example: A solid yellow line on your side of the center line of a street or highway means:
a. You may pass slower moving traffic. b. You may not cross the center line to see oncoming traffic. c. You may not pass.
Answer “c” is the best answer to this question. To mark the answer you would select the answer “c” on the touch screen or click on the answer with your mouse. Besides the three choices: A, B or C, there is a “submit answer” button that allows you to finalize your answer. You can choose to go back and change your answer at any time before submitting it, but once you submit your answer you cannot go back and change your answer.
Manual testing: Read each question. Make sure that you read all the possible answers. Decide which answer is best. There is only one best answer to each question. Mark the best answer on your answer sheet by completely blackening in the circle containing the letter for that answer. You must blacken in the circle completely. If you change your mind once you have marked an answer, be sure to completely erase the old answer. Any unmarked questions will BE COUNTED AS A WRONG ANSWER.
Note: All tests will be given electronically. Manual (written) tests will only be the optional format for testing in case of a power failure or system network failure. ENDORSEMENTS: Examinations are required for all endorsements. The passenger and school bus endorsements will also require a skills test.
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Table of Contents
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
Vehicle Vehicle Inspection ............................................................................................. 11-1
Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test ............................................................................ 12-1
On-Road Driving ......................................................................................................................... 13-1
xCommercial Driver License Tests xMedical Requirements xDriver Disqualifications xOther Safety Rules xInternational Registration Program There is a federal requirement that each state have minimum standards for the licensing of commercial drivers.
This manual provides driver license testing information for drivers who wish to have a commercial driver license (CDL). This manual does NOT provide information on all the federal 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 vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. A combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver). Any size vehicle which requires hazardous material placards or is carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73. Federal regulations through the Department of Homeland Security require a background check and fingerprinting for the Hazardous Materials endorsement. Contact your local department of driver licensing for more information.
(Your state may have additional definitions of CMVs.)
To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests. This manual will help you pass the tests, however, it is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle and becoming a professional driver in the trucking industry. Figure 1.1 helps you determine if you need a CDL Figure 1.1
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.
INTRODUCTION
This Section Covers
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.
| 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 | | X | X | X | |
| | 3 | X | X | X | | | | | |
| | 4 | | | | | | | X | |
| | 5* | X | X | X | | X | | | |
| | 6 | X | | | | X | X | | |
| | 7 | | | | | X | | | |
| | 8 | | | | | | X | | |
| | 9 | | | | X | | 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. | | | | | | | | | | |
The combination vehicles test, which is required if you want to drive combination vehicles. The hazardous materials test, required if you want to haul hazardous materials as defined in 49 CFR 383.5. In order to obtain this endorsement you are also required to pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check. The tank vehicle test, required if you want to haul any liquid or gaseous materials in a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or chassis The doubles/triples test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers. The School 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: Vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Any vehicle that has components marked or labeled cannot be used for the Vehicle Inspection Test. Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a Vehicle 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 vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. Figure 1.2 – What to 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 class of license and what endorsements you need. The CDL knowledge tests include: 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 variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The 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. Starting January 30, 2012 and no later than January 30, 2014, if you are applying for a CDL Permit; or are renewing, upgrading, adding endorsements to a CDL; or transferring a CDL from another state, you are required to provide information to your State Driver’s License Agency (SDLA) regarding the type of commercial motor vehicle operation you drive in or expect to drive in with your CDL. Drivers operating in certain types of commerce will be required to submit a current medical examiner’s certificate and/or any medical variance documents that you have been issued (i.e. Vision, Skills Performance or Diabetic waivers, or other exemptions) to your SDLA to obtain a “certified” medical status as part of your driving record. You must contact your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) to obtain information regarding the requirement for submitting these documents. If you are required to have a ”certified” medical status and fail to provide and keep up-to-date your medical examiner’s certificate you become ”not-certified” and may lose your CDL. For the purpose of complying with the new requirements for medical certification, it is important to know how you are using the CMV. The following information will help you decide how to self-certify:
1.2.1 – Interstate or Intrastate Commerce
Do you, or will you, use a CDL to operate a CMV in interstate or intrastate commerce?
Interstate commerce is when you drive a CMV: From one State to another State or a foreign country; Between two places within a State, but during part of the trip, the CMV crosses into another State or foreign country; or Between two places within a State, but the cargo or passengers are part of a trip that began or will end in another State or foreign country. Intrastate commerce is when you drive a CMV within a State and you do not meet any of the descriptions above for interstate commerce.
If you operate in both intrastate commerce and interstate commerce, you must choose interstate commerce. Once you decide whether you will operate in interstate commerce or intrastate commerce, you must decide whether you will operate (or expect to operate) in a non-excepted or excepted status. This decision will tell you to which of the four types of commerce you must self-certify.
Interstate Commerce:
You operate in excepted interstate commerce when you drive a CMV in interstate commerce only for the following excepted activities: To transport school children and/or school staff between home and school; As Federal, State or local government employees; To transport human corpses or sick or injured persons; Fire truck or rescue vehicle drivers during emergencies and other related activities; Primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel when responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response such as damage to a propane gas system after a storm or flooding; In Response to a pipeline emergency condition requiring immediate response such as a pipeline leak or rupture; In custom harvesting on a farm or to transport farm machinery and supplies used in the custom harvesting operation to and from a farm or to transport custom harvested crops to storage or market; Beekeeper in the seasonal transportation of bees; Controlled and operated by a farmer, but is not a combination vehicle (power unit and towed unit), and is used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (no placardable hazardous materials) to and from a farm and within 150 air-miles of the farm; As a private motor carrier of passengers for non-business purposes ; or To transport migrant workers. If you answered yes to one or more of the above activities as the only operation in which you drive, you operate in excepted interstate commerce and do not need a Federal medical examiner’s certificate. 1.2.2 – Inter/Intrastate Commerce: Status Non-excepted or Excepted? 1.2 – Medical Documentation Requirements
If you operate in both excepted interstate commerce and non-excepted interstate commerce, you must choose non-excepted interstate commerce to be qualified to operate in both types of interstate commerce.
Intrastate Commerce:
You operate in excepted Intrastate commerce when you drive a CMV only in intrastate commerce activities for which your State of licensure has determined do not require you to meet the State’s medical certification requirements. (contact your SDLA about their requirements).
You operate in non-excepted intrastate commerce when you drive a CMV only in intrastate commerce and are required to meet your State of licensure’s medical certification requirements (contact your SDLA about their requirements).
If you operate in both excepted intrastate commerce and non-excepted intrastate commerce, you must choose non-excepted intrastate commerce.
1.2.3 – Self-Certification Statements
When completing an application for your CDL, you will be required to check the box next to the statement that describes your status. The actual statements on your application may vary from those shown below:
Interstate non-excepted: I certify that I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, that I am subject to and meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements under 49 CFR part 391; and that I am required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate.
Interstate excepted: I certify that I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, but engage exclusively in transportation or operations excepted under 49 CFR §§390.3(f), 391.2, 391.68 or 398.3 from all or parts of the qualification requirements of 49 CFR part 391; and that I am not required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate. Intrastate excepted: I certify that I operate or expect to operate entirely in intrastate commerce, that I am not subject to the medical requirements for my State; and that I am not required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate.
1.3 - CDL Disqualifications
1.3.1 – General
You may not drive a commercial motor vehicle if you are disqualified for any reason.
1.3.2 – Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of an
Accident, and Commission of a Felony
It is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04% or more. If you operate a CMV, you shall be deemed to have given your consent to alcohol testing.
You will lose your CDL for at least one year for a first offense for: Driving a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration is .04% or higher. Driving a CMV under the influence of alcohol. Refusing to undergo blood alcohol testing. Driving a CMV while under the influence of a controlled substance. Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV. Committing a felony involving the use of a CMV. Driving a CMV when the CDL is suspended. Causing a fatality through negligent operation 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. Intrastate non-excepted: I certify that I operate If you answered no to all of the above activities, you operate in non-excepted interstate commerce and are required to provide a current medical examiner’s certificate (49 CFR 391.45),commonly referred to as a medical certificate or DOT card, to your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA). Most CDL holders who drive CMVs in interstate commerce are non-excepted interstate commerce drivers. or expect to operate entirely in intrastate commerce, that I am subject to and meet the medical requirements for my State; and that I am required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate.
For at least 60 days if you have committed two serious traffic violations within a three-year period involving a CMV. For at least 120 days for three or more serious traffic violations within a three-year period involving a CMV.
1.3.4 – Violation of Out-of-Service Orders
You will lose your CDL: [For at least 90 days if you have committed your first violation of an out-of-service order. For at least one year if you have committed two violations of an out-of-service order in a ten-year period. For at least three years if you have committed three or more violations of an out-of-service order in a ten-year period].
1.3.5
– 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 a three-year period. For at least one year for your third violation within a three-year period.
These violations include violation of a federal, state or local law or regulation pertaining to one of the following six offenses at a railroad-highway grade crossing: For drivers who are not required to always stop, failing to stop before reaching the crossing if the tracks are not clear. For drivers who are always required to stop, failing to stop before driving onto the crossing. For all drivers failing to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping. For all drivers failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official at the crossing. For all drivers failing to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.
1.3.6 – Hazardous Materials Endorsement
Background Check and Disqualifications
If you require a hazardous materials endorsement you will be required to submit your fingerprints and be subject to a background check.
You will be denied or you will lose your hazardous materials endorsement if you: Are not a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Renounce your United States citizenship. Are wanted or under indictment for certain felonies. 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 security threat as determined by the Transportation Security Administration. The background check procedures vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Your licensing agency will provide you with all the information you need to complete the required TSA background check procedures.
1.3.7 – Traffic Violations in Your Personal
Vehicle The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999 requires a CDL holder to be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the CDL holder has been convicted of certain types of moving violations in their personal vehicle. You will be put out-of-service for 24 hours if you have any detectable amount of alcohol under .04%.
1.3.3 – Serious Traffic Violations
Serious traffic violations are excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the posted limit), reckless driving, improper or erratic lane changes, following a vehicle too closely, traffic offenses committed in a CMV in connection with fatal traffic accidents, driving a CMV without obtaining a CDL or having a CDL in the driver’s possession, and driving a CMV without the proper class of CDL and/or endorsements.
You will lose your CDL: For drivers who are not required to always stop, failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear of an approaching train.
If your privilege to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended due to alcohol, controlled substance or felony violations, you will lose your CDL for 1 year. If you are convicted of a second violation in your personal vehicle or CMV you will lose your CDL for life.
If your license to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended you may not obtain a “hardship” license to operate a CMV.
1.4 – Other CDL Rules
There are other federal and state rules that affect drivers operating CMVs in 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 and keep your home state license and return any others. You must notify your employer within 30 days of conviction for any traffic violations (except parking). This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving. You must notify your motor vehicle licensing agency within 30 days if you are convicted in any other jurisdiction of any traffic violation (except parking). This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving. You must notify your employer within two business days if your 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 held for the past 10 years. You must do this when you apply for a commercial driving job. No one can drive a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL. A court may fine you up to $5,000 or put you in jail for breaking this rule. If you have a hazardous materials endorsement you must notify and surrender your hazardous materials endorsement to the state that issued your CDL within 24 hours of any conviction or indictment in any jurisdiction, civilian or military, for, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a disqualifying 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; All states are connected to one computerized system to share information about CDL drivers. The states will check on drivers' accident records to be sure that drivers do not have more than one CDL. You are not allowed to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication or dial a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button when driving. You are not allowed to send or read text messages while driving.
You must be properly restrained by a safety belt at all times while operating a commercial motor vehicle. The safety belt design holds the driver securely behind the wheel during a crash, helping the driver to control the vehicle and reduces the chance of serious injury or death. If you do not wear a safety belt, you are four times more likely to be fatally injured if you are thrown from the vehicle.
Your state may have additional rules that you must also obey.
1.5 – International Registration Plan
International Fuel Tax Agreement
If you operate a CDL required vehicle in interstate commerce, the vehicle, with few exceptions, is required to be registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP) and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). These federally mandated programs provide for the equitable collection and distribution of vehicle license fees and motor fuels taxes for vehicles traveling throughout the 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces.
Under the IRP, jurisdictions must register apportioned vehicles which includes issuing license plates and cab cards or proper credentials, calculate, collect and distribute IRP fees, audit carriers for accuracy of reported distance and fees and enforce IRP requirements. If your privilege to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended due to violations of traffic control laws (other than parking violations) you will also lose your CDL driving privileges. Your employer may not let you drive a commercial motor vehicle if you have more than one license or if you’re CDL is suspended or revoked. A court may fine the employer up to $5,000 or put him/her in jail for breaking this rule.
A Qualified Vehicle is (except as provided below) any Power Unit that is used or intended for use in two or more Member Jurisdictions and that is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and: (i) has two Axles and a gross Vehicle weight or registered gross Vehicle weight in (ii) excess of 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms), or (iii) has three or more Axles, regardless of weight, or (iv) is used in combination, when the gross Vehicle weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms).
- 1) Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms; or
- 2) Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight. Qualified Motor Vehicle does not include recreational vehicles. If the vehicle you operate is registered under IRP and you are a motor carrier licensed under IFTA, then you are required to comply with the mandatory record keeping requirements for operating the vehicle. A universally accepted method of capturing this information is through the completion of an Individual Vehicle Distance Record (IVDR), sometimes times referred to as a Driver Trip Report. This document reflects the distance traveled and fuel purchased for a vehicle that operates interstate under apportioned (IRP) registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials. Although the actual format of the IVDR may vary, the information that is required for proper record keeping does not. In order to satisfy the requirements for Individual Vehicle Distance Records, these documents must include the following information: Distance Per Article IV of the IRP Plan (i) Date of trip (starting and ending) (ii) Trip origin and destination – City and State or Province (iii) Route(s) of travel (iv) Beginning and ending odometer or hubometer reading of the trip (v) Total distance traveled (vi) In-Jurisdiction distance (vii) Power unit number or vehicle identification number. Fuel Per Section P560 of the IFTA Procedures Manual .300 An acceptable receipt or invoice must include, but shall not be limited to, the following: .005 Date of purchase .010 Seller's name and address .015 Number of gallons or liters purchased; .020 Fuel type .025 Price per gallon or liter or total amount of sale .030 Unit number or other unique vehicle identifier Registrant responsibilities under the Plan include applying for IRP registration with base jurisdiction, providing proper documentation for registration, paying appropriate IRP registration fees, properly displaying registration credentials, maintaining accurate distance records, and making records available for jurisdiction review. The basic concept behind IFTA is to allow a licensee (motor carrier) to license in a base jurisdiction for the reporting and payment of motor fuel use taxes. Under the IFTA, a licensee is issued one set of credentials which will authorize operations through all IFTA member jurisdictions. The fuel use taxes collected pursuant to the IFTA are calculated based on the number of miles (kilometers) traveled and the number of gallons (liters) consumed in the member jurisdictions. The licensee files one quarterly tax return with the base jurisdiction by which the licensee will report all operations through all IFTA member jurisdictions. It is the base jurisdiction's responsibility to remit the taxes collected to other member jurisdictions and to represent the other member jurisdictions in the tax collection process, including the performance of audits. An IFTA licensee must retain records to support the information reported on the IFTA quarterly tax return The IRP registrant and the IFTA licensee may be the vehicle owner or the vehicle operator. The requirement for acquiring IRP plates for a vehicle and IFTA license for a motor carrier is determined by the definitions from the IRP Plan and the IFTA for Qualified Vehicle and Qualified Motor Vehicle: For purposes of IRP: While similar, the Qualified Motor Vehicle in IFTA means a motor vehicle used, designed, or maintained for transportation of persons or property and: An example of an IVDR that must be completed in its entirety for each trip can be found in Figure 1 below. Each individual IVDR should be filled out for only one vehicle. The rules to follow when trying to determine how and when to log an odometer reading are the following: At the beginning of the day When leaving the state or province At the end of the trip/day Not only do the trips need to be logged, but the fuel purchases need to be documented as well. You must obtain a receipt for all fueling and include it with your completed IVDR. Make sure that any trips that you enter are always filled out in descending order and that your trips include all state/provinces that you traveled through on your route. There are different routes that a driver may take, and most of the miles may be within one state or province. Whether or not the distance you travel is primarily in one jurisdiction or spread among several jurisdictions, all information for the trip must be recorded. This includes the dates, the routes, odometer readings and fuel purchases. Figure 1 – Individual Vehicle Mileage & Fuel Record (Example)
By completing this document in full and keeping all records required by both the IRP and the IFTA, you will have ensured that you and your company are in compliance with all State and Provincial laws surrounding fuel and distance record keeping requirements.
The IVDR serves as the source document for the calculation of fees and taxes that are payable to the jurisdictions in which the vehicle is operated, so these original records must be maintained for a minimum of four years.
In addition, these records are subject to audit by the taxing jurisdictions. Failure to maintain complete and accurate records could result in fines, penalties and suspension or revocation of IRP registrations and IFTA licenses.
For additional information on the IRP and the requirements related to the IRP, contact your base jurisdiction motor vehicle department or IRP, Inc. the official repository for the IRP. Additional information can be found on the IRP, Inc. website at www.irponline.org. There is a training video on the website home page available in English, Spanish and French
For additional information on IFTA and the requirements related to IFTA, contact the appropriate agency in your base jurisdiction. You will also find useful information about the Agreement at the official repository of IFTA at http://www.iftach.org/index.php. .035 Purchaser's name