Section 1 - Introduction Flashcards
True or False: There is a federal requirement that each state have minimum standards for the licensing of commercial drivers.
True
True or False: The 2014 Florida CDL Handbook provides information on all the federal and state requirements needed before you can drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
False, the manual only provides driver license testing information for drivers who wish to have a commercial driver license (CDL).
You must have a Class A CDL to operate:
A combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001+ pounds provide the GVWR of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
You must have a Class B CDL to operate:
Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001+ pounds.
Information on CMV operation requirements may be obtained from:
The Florida Department of Transportation, Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
How do you get a Florida CDL?
You hold a Florida Class E license and pass knowledge and skills tests.
You must have a Class C CDL to operate:
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.
What 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?
Formal training (i.e. a truck driver training class or program)
Federal regulations through the Department of Homeland Security require what for the hazardous materials endorsement.
A background check and fingerprinting
What class CDL do you need to drive a bus?
A bus may be a Class A, B, or C depending on whether the GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or is a combination vehicle.
The CDL knowledge tests include:
The general knowledge test The passenger transport test The air brakes test The combination vehicles test The hazardous materials test The tank vehicle test The doubles/triples test The School Bus test
True or False: The general knowledge test is taken by all CDL applicants.
True
Is the airbrakes test required for air over hydraulic brakes?
Yes, it is required.
The hazardous materials test is required if you want to haul hazardous materials as defined in:
49 CFR 383.5
In addition to the hazardous materials knowledge test, what is required to obtain the hazardous materials endorsement?
A transportation security administration (TSA) background check.
When is the tank vehicle test required?
The tank vehicle test is required if you want to haul any liquid or gaseous material in a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate total capacity of 1000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or chassis.
What is required in order to take the CDL skills test?
You must first pass the required knowledge test(s).
What are the three types of general skills that will be tested?
Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving.
True or False: The CDL skills tests must be taken in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.
True
True or False: You may take the Pre-Trip Inspection Test in a vehicle that has components marked or labeled.
False, such a vehicle cannot be used for the Pre-Trip Inspection Test.
What is the purpose of the Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test and what will you be asked to do?
You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
What is the purpose of the Basic Vehicle Control Test and what will you be asked to do?
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. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.
What is the purpose of the On-road Test and what will you be asked to do?
You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. Situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. Special test procedures apply to railroad crossings in Florida. The examiner will tell you where to drive.
True or False: Special test procedures apply to railroad crossings in Florida.
True
True or False: You will determine where to drive your vehicle in the On-road Test.
False, the examiner will tell you where to drive.
True or False: When applying for, renewing, upgrading, adding to, or transferring a CDL from another state, you are required to provide information to your State or Tax Collector Driver License Agency (STDLA) regarding the type of commercial motor vehicle operation you drive in or expect to drive-in with your CDL.
True
True or False: All CDL drivers will be required to submit a current medical examiner’s certificate and/or any medical variance documents that you have been issued to your STDLA to obtain a “certified” medical status as part of your driving record.
False, only drivers operating in certain types of commerce will be subject to such requirements.
What will happen 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.
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.
Which “excepted” activities (when they are the only activities in which you drive) allow you to operate in interstate commerce without the need for a Federal medical examiners certificate?
- 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 operate in any “non-excepted” interstate commerce, what must you provide to your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA)?
A current medical examiner’s certificate, commonly referred to as a medical certificate or DOT card.
True or False: Most CDL holders who drive CMVs in interstate commerce are excepted interstate commerce drivers.
False, most CDL holders who drive CMVs in interstate commerce are non-excepted interstate commerce drivers.
Who should you contact to determine if
you operate in excepted intrastate commerce?
Your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA), you are excepted 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
What are the four self-certification statements you will be required to choose from when completing an application for your CDL?
Interstate non-excepted Interstate excepted Intrastate non-excepted Intrastate excepted (Medical certification is required for either non-excepted statements)
True or False: CDL disqualification results from certain offenses committed in a CMV but never from offenses committed in your personal noncommercial vehicle.
False, disqualification results from certain offenses committed in a CMV and in some cases from offenses committed in your personal noncommercial vehicle if that non-CMV offense also causes withdrawal of your basic driving privilege.
Circumstances causing CDL disqualification are listed in which Florida statute?
Section 322.61
What are some circumstances causing CDL disqualification?
- Driving a CMV with blood alcohol content above the legal limit
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV
- Commission of a felony involving a CMV
- Driving a CMV with a suspended CDL
- Causing a fatality through negligent operation of a CMV
- Serious traffic violations
- Violation of out-of-service orders
- Railroad-highway grade crossing violations
- Hazardous materials endorsement background check failure
- Traffic violations in your personal vehicle
How long will you lose your CDL for offenses involving alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, or the commission of a felony?
- At least 1 year for a first offense
- At least 3 years for a first offense involving a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials
- Life for first offense if using a CMV during the commission of a felony involving controlled substances
- Life for a second offense
It is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above what level?
.04%
True or False: If you operate a CMV, you shall be deemed to have given your consent to alcohol testing.
True
What will happen if you have any detectable amount of alcohol under .04%?
You will be put out-of-service for 24 hours.
Which serious traffic violations may result in CDL disqualification?
- 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
- Driving a CMV without the proper class of CDL and/or endorsements.
How long will you lose your CDL for serious traffic violations involving a CMV?
For at least 60 days if you have committed two serious traffic violations within a three-year period.
For at least 120 days for three or more serious traffic violations within a three-year period.
How long will you lose your CDL for violations of out-of-service orders?
At least 90 days for your first violation
At least one year for two violations in a ten-year period
At least three years for three or more violations in a ten-year period
How long will you lose your CDL for railroad-highway grade crossing violations?
At least 60 days for your first violation
At least 120 days for your second violation within a three-year period
At least one year for your third violation within a three-year period.
Violation of federal, state, or local laws and regulations concerning which six offenses at a railroad-highway grade crossings may result in CDL disqualification?
- 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 not required to always stop, failing to slow down and check that the tracks are 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 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.
As a result of the required background check, you will be denied or 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.
For how long are Florida CDL’s with a hazardous materials endorsement issued and when may they be renewed?
They are issued for 4 years and may be renewed up to 1 year before they expire.
Drivers are encouraged to renew early to avoid ineligibility for transporting hazardous materials while awaiting results of their security checks.
What is the cost of the background check fee charged to customers for new or renewed hazardous materials endorsements, in addition to other fees for CDL issuance?
$91.00
True or False: You may still hold a valid CDL even if your privilege to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, cancelled, or suspended due to violations of traffic control laws.
False, you will also lose your CDL driving privileges (for violations other than parking violations)
True or False: 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 on a first offense.
True, 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 still obtain a “hardship” license to operate a CMV.
False
True or False: You may have a CDL license in more than one state.
False, 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.
True or False: You must notify your employer within 30 days of conviction for any traffic violations (except parking).
True, this is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.
True or False: You must notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days if you are convicted in any other jurisdiction of any traffic violation (except parking), only if you were driving a CMV.
False, you must do so no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.
True or False: You must notify your employer within two business days if your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if you are disqualified from driving.
True
True or False: When you apply for a commercial driving job, you must give your employer information on all driving jobs you have ever held.
False, you are only required to give your employer information on driving jobs you have held within the past 10 years.
True or False: Under some circumstances, an individual may drive a CMV without a CDL or learners permit.
False, 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.
True or False: 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.
True
True or False: Your employer is not responsible for allowing you to drive a commercial motor vehicle if you have more than one license or if you’re CDL is suspended or revoked.
False, a court may fine the employer up to $5,000 or put him/her in jail for breaking this rule.
True or False: Individual states do not check to be sure that drivers do not have more than one CDL.
False, 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.
True or False: If allowed by state law, you may hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication or dial a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button when driving, and you may send or read text messages while driving.
False, CMV drivers may not do so.
True or False: You are not required to wear a safety belt when operating a CMV.
False, you must be properly restrained by a safety belt at all times while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
True or False: It is safer for the driver of a CMV to not be restrained by a safety belt.
False, 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.
True or False: Florida CDL holders are not eligible to elect completion of a driver improvement school to avoid assessment of points for traffic tickets, regardless of whether the violation was committed in a CMV.
True
True or False: You must be a resident of Florida to obtain a Florida Commercial Driver’s License.
True
What is the age requirement to obtain a Florida CDL?
You must be at least:
18 years of age to drive intrastate
21 years of age to drive interstate
21 years of age to qualify for the hazardous materials endorsement
True or False: To obtain a Florida CDL, you must not be under suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification in Florida or any other state.
True
True or False: To obtain a Florida CDL, you must be in compliance with the vision and Physical requirements as stated in Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Handbook.
True
What are some exemptions to the CDL requirement for vehicles that would otherwise meet the definition of a CMV?
- Vehicles operated by members of the armed forces for military purposes.
- Authorized emergency vehicles, including, but not limited to, ambulances, law enforcement, and fire trucks equipped with red and blue lights and audible devices (sirens).
- Farmers transporting farm supplies, farm machinery or agriculture products, to or from the owners farm, not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; and used within 150 miles of the farmer’s farm.
- Recreational vehicles
- Straight trucks as defined in 316.033, Florida Statutes, that are exclusively transporting the driver’s own tangible personal property that is not for sale.
What are the fees required to obtain a commercial drivers license?
$75/initial issue and renewal.
$48/initial issue and renewal for customers who have received school bus training and are applying for employment or employed by a public or non-public school system.
$7/endorsement
$10/written re-exams
$20/driving re-exams.
