Commercial Driver License Manual

CommercialDriver LicenseManual2005 CDL Testing Model(July 2010)2007)CDL Driver’s ManualCOPYRIGHT AAMVAAll Rights Reserved

The Alabama department of Public Safety printed this Commercial Driver LicenseManual through financial support from the United States Department ofTransportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under grantnumber CD 100110000000This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Motor CarrierSafety Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. DTFH61-97-X00017. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed inthis publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect theview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Table Of ContentsIntroduction . 1-1Driving Safely . 2-1Transporting Cargo Safely . 3-1Transporting Passengers Safely . 4-1Air Brakes . 5-1Combination Vehicles. 6-1Doubles and Triples . 7-1Tank Vehicles . 8-1Hazardous Materials. 9-1School Bus . 10-1Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection . 11-1Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test . 12-1On-Road Driving . 1

Alabama Department ofPublic SafetyDriver License DivisionChief ExaminerApril 2012Dear Commercial Vehicle Operator:The Alabama Department of Public Safety urges you to study diligently the contentsof this manual before you visit a Commercial Driver License (CDL) Test site for testing.This manual will provide you with material that is essential for you to meet the testingrequirements, and it also will inform you regarding penalties provided for fraudulentapplication and traffic law violations while operating a commercial vehicle.The Department of Public Safety recognizes your vital role and contribution toindustry in our state, as well as your potential impact upon highway and traffic safety. Thisdepartment is committed to working in partnership with you to insure that the commercialdriver license program enhances your profession and is beneficial to all Alabamians.Sincerely,Chief ExaminerDriver License Division

The manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters is dangerous because it gives thevehicle operator a false sense of security about the effectiveness of the braking system.1For additional information regarding inspecting the Air Brake System refer to Air BrakeSection 5.3.2 in this manual.1National Transportation Safety Board, Safety Recommendation, H-06-3

2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License ManualDo You Need a CDL?Section 1INTRODUCTIONNoThis Section Covers Commercial Driver License TestsDriver DisqualificationsOther Safety RulesYesIs the vehicleacombinationvehicletowing a unitover 10,000poundsGVWR?There is a federal requirement that each state haveminimum standards for the licensing of commercialdrivers.This manual provides driver license testinginformation for drivers who wish to have acommercial driver license (CDL). This manual doesNOT provide information on all the federal andstate requirements needed before you can drive acommercial motor vehicle (CMV). You may have tocontact your state driver licensing authority foradditional information.Does thesingleYesvehicle havea GVWRover 26,000pounds?Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weightrating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.A combination vehicle with a gross combinationweight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if thetrailer(s) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds.Youneed aClass ACDL.YesYouneed aClass BCDL.NoIs the vehicledesigned tocarry 16 ormore people(includingthe driver)?A vehicle designed to transport 16 or morepassengers (including the driver).Any size vehicle which requires hazardousmaterial placards or is carrying material listed asa select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73.Federal regulations through the Department ofHomeland Security require a background checkand fingerprinting for the Hazardous Materialsendorsement. Contact your local department ofdriver licensing for more information.YesYouneed aClass CCDL.NoNoDoes thevehiclerequirehazardousmaterialplacards ortransport aselect agentor toxin?(Your state may have additional definitions ofCMVs.)Section 1 - IntroductionYesNoYou must have a CDL to operate:To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skillstests. This manual will help you pass the tests.This manual is not a substitute for a truck drivertraining class or program. Formal training is themost reliable way to learn the many special skillsrequired for safely driving a large commercialvehicle and becoming a professional driver in thetrucking industry. Figure 1.1 helps you determine ifyou need a CDLDoes the vehicle orcombination of vehicleshave a manufacturer’sweight rating (GVWR)over 26,000 pounds?YesYouneed aClass CCDL.NoYou DO NOTneed a CDL.NOTE:A bus may be Class A, B, or C depending on whetherthe GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or is a combinationvehicle.Figure 1.1Page 1-1

2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual1.1 – Commercial Driver License Tests1.1.1 – Knowledge TestsYou will have to take one or more knowledge tests,depending on what class of license and whatendorsements you need. The CDL knowledgetests include:The general knowledge test, taken by allapplicants.The passenger transport test, taken by all busdriver applicants.similar. The examiner will tell you how each controltest is to be done.On-road Test. You will be tested on your skill tosafely drive your vehicle in a variety of trafficsituations. The situations may include left and rightturns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, upand down grades, single or multi-lane roads,streets, or highways. The examiner will tell youwhere to drive.Figure 1.2 details which sections of this manualyou should study for each particular class oflicense and for each endorsement.The air brakes test, which you must take if yourvehicle has air brakes, including air overhydraulic brakes.What Sections Should You Study?LICENSEENDORSEMENTTYPEX2XXX3XXX1.1.2 – Skills Tests6XIf you pass the required knowledge test(s), you cantake the CDL skills tests. There are three types ofgeneral skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection,basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. Youmust take these tests in the type of vehicle forwhich you wish to be licensed. Any vehicle thathas components marked or labeled cannot beused for the Pre-Trip Inspection Test.7Section 1 - IntroductionXXXBasic Vehicle Control. You will be tested on yourskill to control the vehicle. You will be asked tomove your vehicle forward, backward, and turn itwithin a defined area. These areas may be markedwith traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or somethingX45*Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested tosee if you know whether your vehicle is safe todrive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspectionof your vehicle and explain to the examiner whatyou would inspect and why.XSchool BusXPassengerXTank Vehicles1Double / TripleThe School Bust test, required if you want todrive a school bus.HazardousMaterialsClass CThe doubles/triples test, required if you want topull double or triple trailers.Class BThe tanker test, required if you want to haul aliquid or liquid gas in a permanently mountedcargo tank rated at 119 gallons or more or aportable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more.Sections to StudyThe hazardous materials test, required if youwant to haul hazardous materials as defined in49 CFR 383.5. In order to obtain thisendorsement you are also required to pass aTransportation Security Administration (TSA)background check.Class AThe combination vehicles test, which is requiredif you want to drive combination vehicles.XXXXXX8X9XX10X11XXXXX12XXXXX13XXXXX*Study section 5 if you plan to operate vehiclesequipped with air brakes.Figure 1.2 – What to StudyPage 1-2

2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual1.2 – CDL Disqualifications1.2.1 – GeneralYou may not drive a commercial motor vehicle ifyou are disqualified for any reason.1.2.2 – Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of anAccident, and Commission of a FelonyIt is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcoholconcentration (BAC) is .04% or more. If youoperate a CMV, you shall be deemed to havegiven your consent to alcohol testing.You will lose your CDL for at least one year for afirst offense for:Driving a CMV if your blood alcoholconcentration 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 acontrolled substance.without the properendorsements.classofCDLand/orYou will lose your CDL:For at least 60 days if you have committed twoserious traffic violations within a three-yearperiod involving a CMV.For at least 120 days for three or more serioustraffic violations within a three-year periodinvolving a CMV.1.2.4 – Violation of Out-of-Service OrdersYou will lose your CDL:[For at least 90 days if you have committed yourfirst violation of an out-of-service order.For at least one year if you have committed twoviolations of an out-of-service order in a ten-yearperiod.For at least three years if you have committedthree or more violations of an out-of-serviceorder in a ten-year period].Leaving the scene of an accident involving aCMV.1.2.5 – Railroad-highway Grade CrossingViolationsCommitting a felony involving the use of a CMV.You will lose your CDL:Driving a CMV when the CDL is suspended.For at least 60 days for your first violation.Causing a fatality through negligent operation ofa CMV.For at least 120 days for your second violationwithin a three-year period.You will lose your CDL for at least three years ifthe offense occurs while you are operating a CMVthat 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 tocommit a felony involving controlled substances.You will be put out-of-service for 24 hours if youhave any detectable amount of alcohol under.04%.1.2.3 – Serious Traffic ViolationsSerious traffic violations are excessive speeding(15 mph or more above the posted limit), recklessdriving, improper or erratic lane changes, followinga vehicle too closely, traffic offenses committed ina CMV in connection with fatal traffic accidents,driving a CMV without obtaining a CDL or having aCDL in the driver’s possession, and driving a CMVSection 1 - IntroductionFor at least one year for your third violationwithin a three-year period.These violations include violation of a federal, stateor local law or regulation pertaining to one of thefollowing six offenses at a railroad-highway gradecrossing:For drivers who are not required to always stop,failing to stop before reaching the crossing if thetracks are not clear.For drivers who are not required to always stop,failing to slow down and check that the tracksare clear of an approaching train.For drivers who are always required to stop,failing to stop before driving onto the crossing.For all drivers failing to have sufficient space todrive completely through the crossing withoutstopping.For all drivers failing to obey a traffic controldevice or the directions of an enforcementofficial at the crossing.Page 1-3