Page 6 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION Determining Class of CDL Required

This Section Covers
Is the GCWR Yes Is the GVWR of the Yes
General Qualification 26,001 or more trailer/towed unit 10,001 Class “A”
of Drivers ....................... 1.1 pounds? or more pounds?
Commercial Driver License
Tests...............................1.2 No

Driver Disqualifications..1.3 No Is the GVWR of the Yes

Other Safety Rules ........1.4 power unit 26,001 or Class “B”
more pounds?
International Registration Gross combination
Plan International Fuel weight rating (GCWR)
Tax Agreement ..............1.5 Means the value specified No

by the manufacturer of the
Medical Documentation power unit, if the value unit Is the vehicle Yes
Requirements ................1.6 is displayed on the Federal transporting hazardous Class “C”

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

(FMVSS) certificate label; or materials in a
the sum of the gross vehicle placardable quantity?
There is a federal requirement that each weight ratings (GVWRs) or
state have minimum standards for the licensing the gross vehicle weights
of commercial drivers. (GVWs) of the power unit No
and the towed unit(s), or any
This manual provides driver license test- combination thereof, that
ing information for drivers who wish to have a produces the highest value.
commercial driver license (CDL). This manual Is the vehicle designed Yes
does NOT provide information on all the federal (The underlined and italicized to transport 16 or more Class “C”
and state requirements needed before you can text above is for use by passengers including
drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). You roadside enforcement the driver?
may have to contact your state driver licensing only for the purpose of
authority for additional information. determining whether the
driver/vehicle is subject to CDL No
You must have a CDL to operate: regulations. It is not used to
determine whether a vehicle is
• Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle

weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or representative for the purposes No CDL required.
more. of Skills testing.)
• A combination vehicle with a gross
combination weight rating of 26,001 or Gross vehicle
more pounds, provided the GVWR of the weight rating (GVWR)

vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of Means the value specified by NOTE: A bus may be Class A, B, or C depending on

10,000 pounds. the manufacturer as the loaded whether the GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or
• A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more weight of a single vehicle. is a combination vehicle.
passengers (including the driver).
• Any size vehicle which requires hazardous
material placards or is carrying material Figure 1.1
listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR
part 73. Federal regulations through the

Department of Homeland Security require 1.1 – General qualification 1.2 – Commercial Driver
a background check and fingerprinting for of drivers: License Tests
the Hazardous Materials endorsement.
The background check can take up to six 1. Is at least 21 years old;
weeks. Contact the Transportation 1.2.1 – Knowledge Tests
Security Administration 2. Can read and speak the English language A Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) means
(TSA) at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov or sufficiently to converse with the general pub- a permit issued to an individual, which, when
your local DDS Customer Service Center lic to understand highway traffic signs and carried with a valid driver’s license issued by
for more information. signals in the English language, to respond the same State or jurisdiction, authorizes the
To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge to official inquiries, and to make entries on individual to operate a class of a commercial
and skills tests. This manual will help you pass reports and records; motor vehicle when accompanied by a holder of
the tests. This manual is not a substitute for a 3. Can, by reason of experience, training, or a valid CDL for purposes of behind-the-wheel
truck driver training class or program. Formal both, safely operate the type of commercial training. When issued to a CDL holder, a CLP
training is the most reliable way to learn the motor vehicle he/she drives; serves as authorization for accompanied be-
many special skills required for safely driving a hind-the-wheel training in a commercial motor
large commercial vehicle and becoming a pro- 4. Is physically qualified to drive a commercial for which the holder’s current CDL is not valid.
fessional driver in the trucking industry. Figure motor vehicle in accordance with CFR 391.41 A CLP is considered a valid CDL for purpos-
1.1 helps you determine if es of
you need a CDL.
behind-the-wheel training on public roads
5. Has a currently valid Commercial Learner’s

If your CLP was issued after Feb 7, 2022 you Permit (CLP) or CDL issued by only one State or highways, if all of the following minimum

will need to complete Entry-Level Driver or jurisdiction; conditions are met:
Training (ELDT) before being allowed to take • The CLP holder is at all times accompanied
the CDL Skills Test. See Page 67. 6. Is not disqualified to drive a commercial mo- by the holder of a valid CDL who has the
tor vehicle
4