Persons exempted from texas cdl requirements trc 522. Copies of appropriate volumes of the cfr in book format may be purchased from the superintendent of documents, u. In 1989, the texas legislature established the commercial driver license law to comply with the federal commercial motor vehicle safety act of 1986. Interstate truck drivers guide to hours of service fmcsa us. Information guide iowa department of transportation. For purposes of taking the skill tests, a representative vehicle for a given vehicle class is any commercial motor vehicle that meets the definition of that vehicle class. How does personal use of a commercial motor vehicle need to be recorded. Commercial drivers license manual section 1 introduction the commercial motor vehicle safety act the act became law in 1986. These regulations apply to truck drivers, commercial and city bus drivers, and. The basic steps required by every state in accordance with fmcsa regulations to receive a commercial learners permit and a commercial driver s license are as follows.
The following handbook was designed to assist you, the professional driver, to pass the required knowledge and. A driver is anyone who gets behind the wheel of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in 49 cfr 390. Commercial vehicle drivers hours of service regulations. The book also covers state traffic laws and safe driving information which will help you drive responsibly and safely. Iowas commercial drivers license laws driving laws. As a commercial motor vehicle driver, you are required to mark the time you spend in each of four categories, which are listed as line items on the grid. The california commercial motor vehicle safety program was enacted in the interest of improving traffic safety on our roadways. If your company operates across state lines then they need a usdot number and must display their name and usdot number on any vehicle they operate. In lieu of a log book, a motor carrier may keep track of a drivers hours using. But first, you must get a basic new jersey drivers license.
Regulations issued by fmcsa are published in the federal register and compiled in the u. Hours of service fmcsa federal motor carrier safety. Test for and obtain a commercial learners permit clp. Motor carrier services commercial motor vehicle guidebook.
Exemptions to the federal motor carrier safety regulations. Effective december 2017, long haul commercial motor vehicles must have electronic logging devices elds installed that record a truckers onduty driving time. It is not a book of laws, and should not be used as a basis for any legal claims or actions. Log book farmers operating a v ehicle or v ehicle combination with a gvwr of 10,001 lbs. The motor carrier must retain this record for each driver for a minimum of six months, and drivers must keep in their possession a copy showing a minimum of the daily record for the previous seven consecutive days. It calls for the secretary of transportation to adopt regulations requiring eld use in commercial motor vehicles cmvs involved in interstate commerce, when operated. The driver must submit the original log sheet to the employing carrier within. Section 32301b of the commercial motor vehicle safety enhancement act, enacted as part of map21, pub.
Government printing office, or examined at many libraries. If the gross vehicle weight rating gvwr of a parking lot or street sweeping vehicle is 26,001 or more pounds, it is a commercial motor vehicle cmv under the cdl regulations. A clp is valid for 180 days or expiration of the base license or lawful presence, whichever is earliest. In addition to paying fines andor serving jail time, the driver will be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle requiring a cdl for a minimum of one year. Though each state has its own application process, all states must adhere to federal requirements set forth by the fmcsa. Aug 26, 2014 75minute presentation, suitable as training module, summarizes federal regulations that impact log trucking, including commercial motor vehicle classification. Carriers and drivers can obtain blank daily log books from truck stops, stationary stores or printing companies. Michigans commercial drivers license laws driving laws. According to the log book rules, truckers must keep track of their location and time. Commercial vehicle operators safety manual ministry of. This book contains 26 examples of the hours of service rules for property carrying commercial motor vehicles. Each days dot log book page has a grid with the hours and hour increments listed horizontally across the paper. Under the ontario regulation, a driver is not required to keep a. Motor carriers must maintain driver qualification files for each and every commercial motor vehicle driver.
Under this exception you are not required to keep a log book, but your company must keep accurate and true. Texas cdl handbook 2020 download pdf the state of texas has 3,240 miles of highway crisscrossing the state filled with cars, motorcyclists, farm vehicles, and commercial trucks carrying everything from livestock to the states major exports of petroleum and coal products. Commercial motor vehicle cmv operators and the law pamphlet version 082009 a driver with a class a, b, or c commercial driver license cdl is automatically licensed to operate both commercial and private noncommercial motor vehicles using one driver license. The hours of service hos log book rules vary according to the type of commercial motor vehicle cmv and objects or subjects being transported. For instance, drivers transporting property may drive a maximum of 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off.
Is an employee of a federal, state, or local government who operates a commercial motor vehicle cmv, as defined in 383. While operating a commercial motor vehicle with a commercial learners permit clp, the applicant must have a licensed cdl operator, with the proper class of license, in the front seat. As a result, california has developed licensing and testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles which equals or exceeds federal standards. Drivers renewing, correcting or applying for an original commercial driver license cdl must selfcertify which type of commercial motor vehicle cmv operation they will perform. Obtaining a commercial drivers license cdl requires additional skills on top of those needed to drive a regular passenger vehicle. This manual does not provide information on all the federal and state requirements for driving a commercial motor vehicle.
The fmcsa was established within the department of transportation on january 1, 2000. A class b cdl is required when the cmv weighs more than 26,000 pounds but the trailer is less than 10,000 pounds. The requirements and documents needed for obtaining a cdl. The csa is a federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle. Captain omar villarreal manager, motor carrier bureau a texas motor carriers guide to highway safety i. A passenger vehicle is any vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver. In general, a cmv is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions.
Drive a truck that is a commercial motor vehicle but does not require a cdl, and. Does the vehicle or combination of vehicles have a manufacturers weight rating gvwr or actual gross vehicle. If you would like to be a truck driver or a bus driver, you will need to get a commercial driver license cdl. Effective december 2017, long haul commercial motor vehicles must have electronic logging. Do you know the basic rules for cdl log books in the united states. Under the act, applicants who must be tested and licensed for the specific commercial vehicle type. You may have to contact your state driver licensing authority for additional information. A texas motor carriers guide to highway safety texas dps. These laws were passed to reduce traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles. Iowa commercial drivers licenses motor vehicle division.
Hours of service hos regulations are issued by the federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa and govern the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle cmv in the united states. Truck driving can prove rewarding for those who can handle long periods. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehiclerelated fatalities and injuries. Motor carriers who are domiciled in iowa and operate in forhire intrastate commerce within iowa also need to obtain a usdotia number. The federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa regulates the rules and requirements for commercial drivers across the country. Enforcement of cdl disqualifications for alcohol and serious traffic violations such as a bac of. The logbook hours of service rules for truck drivers. For questions regarding any of these regulations, you can call the federal motor carrier safety administration at 4437032240, the maryland state police, commercial vehicle enforcement division at 4106946100, or the maryland mdot state highway administration, motor carrier division at 4105825734. Manuals and publications iowa department of transportation. Only professional drivers will receive and keep a commercial driver license cdl.
Driving a commercial motor vehicle cmv requires a higher level of knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than that required to drive a non commercial vehicle. Because commercial motor vehicles cmvs are significantly larger and heavier than passenger cars, because they can transport large numbers of people, and because they can carry hazardous materials, it is imperative that the people operating them have sufficient. Motor carriers, drivers, and shippers are responsible for understanding and complying with the federal motor carrier safety regulations fmcsrs and texas regulations. Most drivers must follow the hos regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or cmv. In order to obtain a commercial driver s license cdl, an applicant must pass both skills and knowledge testing geared to these higher standards. Cfr 383 commercial drivers license cfr 387 insurance cfr 390 general requirements cfr 391 driver files cfr 392 driving of commercial motor vehicles cfr 393 equipment requirements cfr 395 hours of service cfr 396 vehicle maintenance files cfr 397 transportation of. Drivers who operate a vehicle that requires a cdl within a 100air mile radius 150air mile radius for vehicles not requiring cdl and work no longer than 12 hours each day. Regulations put into effect by federal or state agencies may go beyond state laws but cannot. Federal commercial vehicle drivers hours of service regulations. How to determine if a commercial motor vehicle driver transporting personal property is required to use an eld or have a cdl if a safety official stops a driver transporting animals, vehicles or other personal property, fmcsa recommends that the driver explain that the transportation is nonbusiness related. Log book entries provide evidence of a drivers compliance with all federal and state commercial motor carrier rules and regulations. Drivers who are required to complete rods only for eight 8 days or fewer in a 30day period.
A class a cdl is required to operate a commercial motor vehicle cmv weighing more than 26,000 pounds with a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Work within a 150 airmile radius of your normal work. You must have the number of log sheets in the vehicle with you as per. The colorado state patrol commercial vehicle safety unit. Each license type is governed by different regulations and can be revoked if the driver fails to follow these rules. Commercial driver license florida highway safety and motor. A driver convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle requiring a cdl with an alcohol concentration of 0.
Michigans commercial drivers license laws michigan has several types of commercial drivers licenses cdls to authorize the operation of a variety of commercial motor vehicles cmvs. The commercial drivers license manual covers information regarding requirements, instruction permits, classes of commercial licenses, fees and restrictions. Disqualification a disqualification is the withdrawal of a persons privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Take the road skills test for your commercial driver s license cdl. This commercial driver license cdl guide is a summary of the laws and rules that apply to all drivers of commercial motor vehicles in washington state. Wisconsin dmv official government site cdl drivers manual. Due to federal regulations, the renewal of a commercial driver license must be completed in person at a motor vehicle agency. Yes, every driver of a commercial motor vehicle must comply with the hoursofservice rules. No one is permitted to drive a motor vehicle after having worked 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days or after having worked 70 hours in any period of 8 con. It takes special skills and a professional attitude to safely operate large trucks and buses. School bus s issued to those who have passed the required written and skills test and who will transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from schoolsponsored events. Is the vehicle a combination vehicle towing a unit or units over 10,000 pounds gvwr or gvw. Commercial driver license florida department of highway.