California DMV CDL Handbook 2019 - e permit test

STA

?

TE OF CALIFOR

NIA

ENGLISH

2017-2018

CALIFORNIA

COMMERCIAL DRIVER HANDBOOK

This handbook is available at dmv..

Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor State of California Brian P. Kelly, Secretary California State Transportation Agency Jean Shiomoto, Director California Department of Motor Vehicles

THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

ii

CALIFORNIA DRIVER LICENSE CLASSES

You May Drive...

And You May Tow...

Examples...

WitH A coMMerciAL cLAss A Driver LiceNse:

any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000

Any legal combination of vehicles, including vehicles under Class pounds.

B and Class C.

any trailer bus, with endorsement OR more than 1 vehicle, with endorsement.

any vehicles under Classes B and C.

WitH A NoNcoMMerciAL cLAss A Driver LiceNse: Any vehicles under Class C. Any housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet.

travel trailers weighing over 10,000 pounds GVWR, not used for hire.

fifth-wheel travel trailers weighing over 15,000 pounds, not used for hire.

With a vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen, you may tow a: livestock trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR but not exceeding 15,000 pounds GVWR if the vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport livestock to or from a farm, not used in commerce or contract carrier operations, and is used within 150 miles of the person's farm.

WitH A coMMerciAL cLAss B Driver LiceNse:

a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds. a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds. a bus (except a trailer bus), with endorsement.

a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. any vehicle a Class C licensed driver may tow.

any farm labor vehicle, with endorsement.

all vehicles under Class C.

WitH A NoNcoMMerciAL cLAss B Driver LiceNse: any vehicles under Class C.

any housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet with endorsement.

WitH A BAsic cLAss c Driver LiceNse: a 2-axle vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less. a 3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds gross or less. a motorized scooter. any housecar 40 feet or less.

a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less including a tow dolly, if used. With a vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen, you may tow a: trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 pounds gross. trailer coach or fifth-wheel travel trailer under 10,000 pounds GVWR when towing is not for compensation.

A farmer or employee of a farmer may also drive:

fifth-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds but not exceeding 15,000 pounds

any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight GVWR, when towing is not for compensation and with endorsement.

Rating (GCWR) of 26,000 pounds or less if used exclusively in agricultural operations and it is not for hire or compensation.

Note: No passenger vehicle regardless of weight, may tow more than 1 vehicle. No motor vehicle under 4,000 pounds unladen may tow any vehicle weighing 6,000

WitH A coMMerciAL cLAss c Driver LiceNse:

pounds or more gross (CVC ?21715).

Any Class C vehicle carrying hazardous materials (HazMat) which requires placards. The HazMat endorsement must be on the license. Drivers who transport hazardous wastes, as defined by CVC ??353 and 15278, are also required to have the HazMat endorsement.

WitH A MotorcYcLe cLAss M1 Driver LiceNse: 2-wheel motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized scooter.

WitH A MotorcYcLe cLAss M2 Driver LiceNse: Motorized bicycle, moped, any bicycle with an attached motor, or motorized scooter.

Note: Class M1 or M2 is added to any other class driver license after passing law and skill tests.

THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION........................ 1-1

Who Needs a CDL........................................ 1-1 How to Get a CLP/CDL ................................ 1-1 Endorsements .............................................. 1-5 CDL Exceptions............................................ 1-5 Special Certificates....................................... 1-5 General......................................................... 1-7 1.1 ? CDL Tests ............................................ 1-7 1.2 ? Medical Documentation Requirements ............................................. 1-10 1.3 ? CDL Disqualifications .........................1-11 1.4 ? Other CDL Rules ............................... 1-14 1.5 ? International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement............... 1-26

SECTION 2: DRIVING SAFELY ..................... 2-1

2.1 ? Vehicle Inspection ............................... 2-1 2.2 ? Basic Control of Your Vehicle ............ 2-10 2.3 ? Shifting Gears.....................................2-11 2.4 ? Seeing ............................................... 2-13 2.5 ? Communicating ................................. 2-14 2.6 ? Controlling Your Speed...................... 2-17 2.7 ? Managing Space ............................... 2-21 2.8 ? Seeing Hazards................................. 2-24 2.9 ? Distracted Driving .............................. 2-28 2.10 ? Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage ....... 2-31 2.11 ? Driving at Night ................................ 2-32 2.12 ? Driving in Fog .................................. 2-35 2.13 ? Driving in Winter .............................. 2-36 2.14 ? Driving in Very Hot Weather ............ 2-37 2.15 ? Railroad-Highway Crossings ........... 2-39 2.16 ? Mountain Driving ............................. 2-41 2.17 ? Driving Emergencies ....................... 2-43 2.18 ? Antilock Braking Systems ................ 2-46 2.19 ? Skid Control and Recovery.............. 2-47 2.20 ? Accident Procedures ....................... 2-49 2.21 ? Fires ................................................ 2-49 2.22 ? Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving ..... 2-52 2.23 ? Hazardous Materials Rules for All Commercial Drivers .................................... 2-54

SECTION 3: TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY........................................................... 3-1

3.1 ? Inspecting Cargo ................................. 3-1 3.2 ? Cargo Weight and Balance.................. 3-1 3.3 ? Securing Cargo ................................... 3-2 3.4 ? Cargo Needing Special Attention ........ 3-4

SECTION 4: TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS SAFELY ............................................................. 4-1

4.1 ? Vehicle Inspection ............................... 4-1 4.2 ? Loading and Trip Start ......................... 4-2 4.3 ? On the Road ........................................ 4-4 4.4 ? After-Trip Vehicle Inspection................ 4-5 4.5 ? Prohibited Practices ............................ 4-6 4.6 ? Use of Brake-Door Interlocks .............. 4-6

SECTION 5: AIR BRAKES ............................. 5-1 5.1 ? Parts of an Air Brake System .............. 5-1 5.2 ? Dual Air Brake ..................................... 5-6 5.3 ? Inspecting Air Brake Systems.............. 5-7 5.4 ? Using Air Brakes .................................5-11

SECTION 6: COMBINATION VEHICLES....... 6-1 6.1 ? Driving Combination Vehicles Safely..... 6-1 6.2 ? Combination Vehicle Air Brakes .......... 6-5 6.3 ? Antilock Brake Systems....................... 6-8 6.4 ? Coupling and Uncoupling .................... 6-8 6.5 ? Inspecting a Combination Vehicle ..... 6-12

SECTION 7: DOUBLES AND TRIPLES......... 7-1 7.1 ? Pulling Double/Triple Trailers............... 7-1 7.2 ? Coupling and Uncoupling .................... 7-2 7.3 ? Inspecting Doubles and Triples ........... 7-4 7.4 ? Doubles/Triples Air Brake Check......... 7-5

SECTION 8: TANK VEHICLES....................... 8-1 8.1 ? Inspecting Tank Vehicles ..................... 8-1 8.2 ? Driving Tank Vehicles .......................... 8-2 8.3 ? Safe Driving Rules............................... 8-3

SECTION 9: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS........ 9-1

9.1 ? Intent of the Regulations...................... 9-2 9.2 ? Hazardous Materials Transportation-- Who Does What............................................ 9-3 9.3 ? Communication Rules.......................... 9-4 9.4 ? Loading and Unloading...................... 9-12 9.5 ? Bulk Packaging Marking, Loading and Unloading............................................. 9-15 9.6 ? Hazardous Materials -- Driving and Parking Rules........................... 9-16 9.7 ? Hazardous Materials -- Emergencies............................................... 9-19 9.8 ? Hazardous Materials -- Glossary....... 9-23

SECTION 10: SCHOOL BUSES.................... 10-1

10.1 ? Danger Zones and Use of Mirrors.... 10-1 10.2 ? Loading and Unloading.................... 10-3 10.3 ? Emergency Exit and Evacuation...... 10-6 10.4 ? Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings.10-8 10.5 ? Student Management..................... 10-10 10.6 ? Antilock Braking System..................10-11 10.7 ? Special Safety Considerations....... 10-12

SECTION 11: VEHICLE INSPECTION TEST.11-1 11.1 ? All Vehicles.........................................11-1 11.2 ? Internal Inspection (All Vehicles)........11-1 11.3 ? External Inspection (All Vehicles)......11-4 11.4 ? School Bus Only................................11-8 11.5 ? Trailer.................................................11-9 11.6 ? Coach/Transit Bus.............................11-9 11.7 ? Taking the CDL Vehicle Inspection Test.............................................................11-10

SECTION 12: BASIC CONTROL SKILLS TEST.............................................................. 12-1

12.1 ? Scoring............................................. 12-1 12.2 ? Exercises.......................................... 12-2

SECTION 13: ROAD TEST............................ 13-1 13.1 ? How You Will Be Tested.................... 13-1

GLOSSARY................................................... 13-5 Purchase of Reference Materials................ 13-8 Disclaimer.................................................... 13-8 Where to Write............................................. 13-8

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. DTFH61-97-X-00017. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

? Copyright, Department of Motor Vehicles 2017-2018

All rights reserved

This work is protected by U. S. Copyright Law. DMV owns the copyright of this work. Copyright law prohibits the following: (1) reproduction of the copyrighted work; (2) distribution of copies of the copyrighted work; (3) preparation of derivative works based upon the copyrighted work; (4) displaying the copyrighted work publicly; or (5) performing the copyrighted work publicly. All requests for permission to make copies of all or any part of this publication should be addressed to:

Department of Motor Vehicles Legal Office, MS C128 PO Box 932382 Sacramento, CA 94232-3820

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

tHis sectioN covers

1.1 ? CDL Tests

1.2 ? Medical Documentation Requirements

1.3 ? CDL Disqualifications

1.4 ? Other CDL Rules

1.5 ? International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement

There is a federal requirement that each state have minimum standards for the licensing of commercial drivers.

The California Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Program was enacted to improve traffic safety on our roadways. As a result, California has developed licensing and testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles that equals or exceeds federal standards.

This handbook provides driver license (DL) testing information for drivers who wish to have a commercial learner's permit (CLP)/commercial driver license (CDL). This handbook does NOT provide information on all the federal and state requirements needed before you can drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

WHo NeeDs A cDL

You Must Have a CDL to Operate:

? Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.

? Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,000 pounds which is designed, used, or maintained to transport more than 10 passengers including the driver.

? A combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

? Any vehicle that tows any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.

? Any vehicle that tows more than 1 vehicle or a trailer bus.

? Any size vehicle which requires hazardous material (HazMat) placards or carries material listed as a select agent or toxin in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 42, Part 73.

? Transports hazardous wastes (California Health and Safety Code (CHSC) ??25115 and 25117).

? Federal regulations through the Department of Homeland Security require a background check and fingerprinting for the hazardous materials endorsement.

Note: Employees of school districts, private schools, community colleges, and California State Universities who operate 15-passenger vans must have a CDL with a passenger transport vehicle (PV) endorsement. A 15-passenger van is a van manufactured to accommodate 15 passengers, including the driver, or a van "designed" to carry 15 passengers, including the driver, even if seats have been removed to accommodate fewer than 15 passengers (California Vehicle Code (CVC) ??233 and 15278).

HoW to Get A cLP/cDL

Applicants for a CDL:

? Must be 18 years of age.

? May apply for a CLP, but must hold a California DL prior to issuance of a CLP. The DL must be carried to validate the CLP (CFR, Title 49 ??383.5, 383.25).

? May drive for hire within California if you are 18 years of age or older and do not engage in interstate commerce activities.

? Must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial vehicle engaged in interstate commerce or to transport hazardous materials or wastes (intrastate or interstate commerce) (CVC ?12515).

1-1

Provide the Following Items:

? A Completed Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44C) form. Signing this form means you agree to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood. If you refuse to sign this form, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will not issue or renew your DL.

? Your true full name.

? An Approved Medical Examination Report Form, (MER). A valid (original or copy) federal MER MCSA-5875 form and Medical Examiner's Certificate Form, (MEC) MCSA5876, completed by a United States (U.S.) licensed doctor of medicine (M.D.), licensed doctor of osteopathy (D.O.), licensed physician's assistant (P.A.), registered advanced practice nurse (APN), or licensed doctor of chiropractic when you apply for a DL or learner's permit. Drivers who hold certificates to drive school buses, School Pupil Activity Bus Certificate (SPAB), youth buses, General Public Paratransit Vehicle (GPPV), or farm labor vehicles must have their medical examinations given by doctors of medicine, licensed physician's assistant, registered advanced practice nurse, or a chiropractor who is listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (CVC ?12517.2).

A medical report dated within the last 2 years is required for any CDL application and then every 2 years after that.

Note: Do not mail your medical report to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Completed MER and MEC forms may be taken to a DMV field office or mailed directly to DMV for updating. Mail the MER and MEC to the address below at least 4 weeks prior to the expiration of your previous medical or your privilege to drive CMVs may become invalid.

Mail the medical to:

Department of Motor Vehicles CDL/PDPS Unit, MS G204 PO Box 942890 Sacramento, CA 94290-0001

1-2

Interstate commercial drivers must have their medical examination performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The National Registry lists medical examiners that have been trained, tested, and certified on the medical standards in the FMCSA regulations to perform medical examinations on CMV drivers. A list of certified medical examiners may be found on the National Registry website at nationalregistry.fmcsa..

Medical examiners will provide CMV drivers a federal MEC. Drivers may be given a citation for driving out of class if their medical certificate expires and may also be removed from their vehicle by a law enforcement officer.

Commercial drivers who operate in interstate commerce are no longer required to carry the medical examiner's certificate for more than 15 days after the date it was issued (by the medical examiner) as valid proof of medical certification (CFR, Title 49 ?391.41(a)(2)(i)).

If you must have a CDL as part of your job, your employer shall pay the cost of the medical examination unless your examination was taken before you applied for the job (California Labor Code ?231).

Note: Customers who do not meet the minimum medical standards are not qualified to obtain a CDL for the purpose of transporting interstate commerce, passengers, or hazardous materials. These customers may be eligible for a restricted CDL. If issued, the CDL will have the following restrictions:

---- May not transport passengers commercially or transport materials which require placards (CVC ?27903).

---- May not drive in interstate commerce.

? An Acceptable Birth Date/Legal Presence (BD/LP) Document. All applicants for an original CLP/CDL must submit proof of legal presence in the U.S. as authorized under federal law. If the name on your BD/ LP document is different from the name on your CDL application, you must also bring in an acceptable true full name document. Your true full name, as shown on your BD/LP document, will appear on your CLP/CDL.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download