Everyone should be aware of the laws of the road, but those who choose to become professional drivers should know everything there is to know about the DOT regulations that affect their jobs. Your career could end quickly if you break these rules, even if it is due to ignorance. Before you hit the road, read this blog to learn about DOT regulations regarding CDLs, road tests, damage insurance for semi-trucks, and more.
Does Someone Need A CDL?
Not all forms of commercial driving require a CDL. Instead, their necessity stems from the vehicle’s dimensions and mass. To operate any of the following kinds of vehicles, the driver must possess a CDL:
- Automobiles have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more for the vehicle being towed, and a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
- Commercial cars with space for at least 16 passengers, including the driver
- Hazardous material-carrying vehicles are required to post a placard.
A standard-sized moving truck can be rented and operated by an average driver without any difficulty, as most box trucks do not require a commercial driver’s license. But semi-trucks are larger than the GCWR mentioned above, thus the driver would need a CDL to operate one.
Who Is Eligible For A CDL?
Drivers who want to apply for a CDL must fulfill the following requirements:
- 21 years of age or older
- DOT record spotless
- no criminal history
- GED or high school diploma
- able to communicate in, read, and write English
You must maintain a valid commercial driver’s license with endorsements that match the DOT’s driving categories to continue being DOT-compliant after obtaining your CDL. Before you embark on any haul, confirm that you possess the necessary licenses and endorsements.
Which Courses Are Needed?
If you are eligible to apply for a CDL, you will need to pass certain classes and drive a predetermined amount of hours to obtain your license. The Basic Operator Certification requires 80 hours of sponsored teaching and driving under the supervision of a valid CDL holder for all new drivers. According to DOT restrictions, you are only allowed to drive for eight hours each day and your eighty hours must be spread out across multiple days. In addition, within 30 days of starting work, new drivers must finish the Tractor-Propelled Windshield Debris, Windswept Debris, and Snow & Sleet Water Course Supplements.
You may not be eligible to obtain a CDL during the training and education phase for several reasons, such as the following:
- having an accident involving a commercial vehicle
- DOT safety violations that result in fines of at least $2,000 within 120 days
- breaching the speed limit by more than fifteen miles per hour is known as excessive speeding.
Being found guilty of DUI while operating a noncommercial vehicle, get a DOT citation. Until you pay the fine assessed by the DOT, finish an authorized defensive driving course, and receive clearance from the agency, you will not be permitted to operate a commercial vehicle anymore.
Is A Background Investigation Needed?
Indeed. As we previously mentioned, having a clean criminal record is one of the conditions for obtaining a CDL. This applies to both inexperienced and experienced drivers. Every 12 months, CDL drivers need to submit to a DOT background check to continue being compliant.
Need For A Drug Test?
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is taken extremely seriously by the DOT, particularly when operating a commercial vehicle. Therefore, it is true that truck drivers must pass a drug and alcohol test to be eligible for a CDL.
Should I Get A Medical Exam?
Although there is no physical fitness test needed to become a truck driver, you must pass a medical examination. The purpose of this test is to confirm that you are physically fit to carry out your responsibilities as a driver. This exam must be completed by a DOT-registered nurse practitioner, DOT-registered PA, or DOT-registered physician. For instance, a person with a seizure disease would not pass the DOT physical examination because of their medical condition, which renders them extremely dangerous to drive a semi-truck.
To keep their medical certification up to date, truck drivers need to get physicals every 12 months, or every 24 months if they’re under 60 and receive authorization from the DOT to do so.
Is A Driving Test Necessary?
Of course, obtaining a CDL requires a driver to demonstrate their proficiency in operating a commercial vehicle. A road test is necessary for both new drivers and drivers wishing to transfer their CDLs from one state to another. The following subjects will be covered in the road test:
- Unit coupling and uncoupling
- Using the emergency equipment and controls on the truck correctly
- Driving the vehicle in traffic safely
- Overtaking other cars safely
- Rotating the commercial vehicle
- Braking and, if the brakes fail, using other methods to slow the truck
- Parking and backing
Is Insurance Necessary?
Yes, to drive their vehicles on public roadways, truck drivers need to have insurance that has been approved by the DOT. Drivers must maintain a minimum of $750,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and an additional $1 million for each truck they run by DOT requirements. You are in charge of getting your insurance if you are the owner-operator. When hiring a driver, shipping businesses must include commercial liability declarations in the driver’s contract.
For owner-operators and semi-truck drivers like you, insurance companies provide policies that will enable you to maintain compliance with DOT standards.
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