(a) Except as provided in subpart G, a person shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless he/she has first successfully completed a road test and has been issued a certificate of driver's road test in accordance with this section. |
(b) The road test shall be given by the motor carrier or a person designated by it. However, a driver who is a motor carrier must be given the test by a person other than himself/herself. The test shall be given by a person who is competent to evaluate and determine whether the person who takes the test has demonstrated that he/she is capable of operating the commercial motor vehicle, and associated equipment, that the motor carrier intends to assign him/her. |
(c) The road test must be of sufficient duration to enable the person who gives it to evaluate the skill of the person who takes it at handling the commercial motor vehicle, and associated equipment, that the motor carriers intends to assign to him/her. As a minimum, the person who takes the test must be tested, while operating the type of commercial motor vehicle the motor carrier intends to assign him/her, on his/her skill at performing each of the following operations: (1) The pretrip inspection required by §392.7 of this subchapter; |
(2) Coupling and uncoupling of combination units, if the equipment he/she may drive includes combination units; |
(3) Placing the commercial motor vehicle in operation; |
(4) Use of the commercial motor vehicle's controls and emergency equipment; |
(5) Operating the commercial motor vehicle in traffic and while passing other motor vehicles; |
(6) Turning the commercial motor vehicle; |
(7) Braking, and slowing the commercial motor vehicle by means other than braking; and |
(8) Backing and parking the commercial motor vehicle. |
|
(d) The motor carrier shall provide a road test form on which the person who gives the test shall rate the performance of the person who takes it at each operation or activity which is a part of the test. After he/she completes the form, the person who gave the test shall sign it. |
(e) If the road test is successfully completed, the person who gave it shall complete a certificate of driver's road test in substantially the form prescribed in paragraph (f) of this section. |
(g) A copy of the certificate required by paragraph (e) of this section shall be given to the person who was examined. The motor carrier shall retain in the driver qualification file of the person who was examined — (1) The original of the signed road test form required by paragraph (d) of this section; and |
(2) The original, or a copy of, the certificate required by paragraph (e) of this section. |
|
[35 FR 6460, Apr. 22, 1970, as amended at 36 FR 223, Jan. 7, 1971; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 60 FR 38744, July 28, 1995]
§391.31 — DOT Regulatory Guidance
Question 1: Are employers still required to administer road tests since all States have implemented CDL skills testing? Guidance: The employer may accept a CDL in lieu of a road test if the driver is required to successfully complete a road test to obtain a CDL in the State of issuance. However, if the employer intends to assign to the driver a vehicle necessitating the doubles/triples or tank vehicle endorsement, the employer must administer the road test under §391.31 in a representative vehicle.
Question 2: How does a student enrolled in a driver training school comply with the requirement to pass a road test? Guidance: The road test is administered only after the student has demonstrated a sufficient degree of proficiency on a range or off-road course. A student who passes the road test and is qualified to operate in interstate commerce could cross a State line in the process of receiving training.
Question 3: May a carrier use a blanket certification of road test for specific vehicles (driver's names, etc., left out)? Guidance: No.
Question 4: May a motor carrier designate another person or organization to administer the road test? Guidance: Yes. A motor carrier may designate another person or organization to administer the road test as long as the person who administers the road test is competent to evaluate and determine the results of the tests.