Applying for a New CDL

What is a Commercial Vehicle?

The State of California defines a commercial vehicle as one that transports for hire either people or products. Commercial vehicles include any vehicle designed to transport 10 or more people; vehicles that transport hazardous materials; vehicles designed to tow other vehicles; and vehicles of a certain weight or axle construction.

Age Restrictions

In California, you must be at least 18 to hold a driving job, including driving a school bus. Only those 21 or older may drive a commercial vehicle across state lines (interstate) or carry hazardous materials. Those applying for a CDL to transport hazardous materials must undergo a security check.

Getting a CDL Permit

The first thing you must do is get a practice permit by passing a written test. Study the California Commercial Driver Handbook.

When you know this backward and forward, go on down to the local DMV, where you'll:

• Fill out an application form (form DL44).

• Provide proof of age and name.

• Provide a thumbprint and get your picture taken .

• Pass a vision test.

• Turn in a medical certificate.

• Verify your Social Security Number.

• Pay the application fee ($64 for Commercial Class A or B, $34 for Commercial Class C); endorsements are extra.

Getting Your CDL

Once you've gotten a permit, you'll need to become properly trained to drive a commercial vehicle. Technically, only school bus drivers are required to attend courses; but you will need access to the type of vehicle you'll be driving and you'll need to practice with someone who's got the same class of license. So unless you know someone with your type of vehicle, you'll be going to school. Luckily, employers usually offer this training if they require you to get a CDL.

When you're ready to take the wheel in front of an examiner, make an appointment at a Commercial Driving Test office.

• Bring the vehicle you'll be tested in. It must be the same class of vehicle you are being licensed for.

• Pass a vehicle inspection.

• Pass a skills and driving test in that vehicle. Alternatively, you may submit a Certificate of Driving Skill (DL 140) signed by both you and your employer to have this portion of the test waived.

Upon completion of these steps, you will be issued an interim CDL that is valid for 60 days; your regular CDL will be mailed to you.

For more information about getting your CDL, consult the official site of the California DMV.

Federal CDL Regulations

The Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 ensures that drivers of commercial vehicles are qualified, and removes unsafe drivers from the highways. The Act didn't require federal driver licensing―states still license commercial drivers―but it required states to upgrade their programs.

Before the Act was passed, many commercial vehicle drivers operated vehicles they were not qualified to drive. Drivers were not necessarily tested in the types of vehicles they would be driving. States must now test commercial drivers according to federal standards, to ensure that drivers know how to operate the trucks or buses they intend to drive.

The Act also made it illegal to have more than one driver's license. You can hold a regular or commercial driver's license, but not both (though a commercial license covers noncommercial driving, too). You can have one license from the state you reside in, but not from any other states. In the past, bad drivers could more easily hide their driving histories by getting several licenses. Today, all the states are connected to a national database to check driver histories.

The testing, licensing, and safety regulations for people who hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) from the State of California meet or exceed the standards set by the federal government.

CDL Classes for Every State

To be eligible for a CDL, you must have a clean driving record. Federal regulations require you to pass a physical exam every two years. To operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, you must be at least 21. Many states allow those as young as 18 to drive commercial vehicles within the state. You must be able to read and speak English well enough to read road signs, prepare reports, and communicate with the public and with law enforcement.

The aforementioned Act established three separate classes of commercial driver's licenses. Every state issues licenses in these categories:

• Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds, including any under Class B and C.

• Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR, including any under Class C.

• Class C: A Class C vehicle that carries hazardous materials; or, with endorsements, a 15-passenger van (if you're employed to do so).

Endorsements

Extra testing is required for certain types of commercial vehicles. If you pass, you will receive an endorsement on your CDL. These are the five endorsements that you can apply for. Each requires between one and five knowledge (written) tests, and two require driving (skills) tests.

• T―Double/Triple Trailers (knowledge test only)

• P―Passenger (knowledge and skills tests).

• N―Tank Vehicle (knowledge test only)

• H―Hazardous Materials (knowledge test only)

• S―School Buses (knowledge and skills tests)

Requirements for Medical Certification

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require commercial drivers to have a physical exam, and carry a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate if:

• You operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 4,536 kilograms (10,001 pounds) or more in interstate commerce.

• You operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, in interstate commerce.

• You operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport between nine and 15 passengers, for direct compensation, beyond 75 air miles from your regular work-reporting location, in interstate commerce.

• You transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placards, in interstate commerce.

You must carry a current copy of your medical examination certificate with you when you drive. Residents of Mexico or Canada can be certified by doctors in their countries, provided they meet the U.S. requirements.

Minimum Training Requirements

There are no federal standards in place for on-the-road commercial driver training. The government only requires that you take and pass your CDL knowledge (written) and skills (driving) tests. Longer-combination-vehicle (LCV) drivers must receive training in driver wellness, driver qualifications, hours of service, and whistleblower protection.

The commercial driver's manual is a good place to learn basic information, but you will need to be professionally trained to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

In order to pass your driving skills tests, you must learn how to inspect vehicles before driving; learn how to couple and uncouple tractors and trailers; and have plenty of practice driving. This includes driving in different conditions and on different road surfaces, turning, parking, backing up, and braking.

Many motor carriers train their employees, while other drivers take courses at private driving schools, vocational or technical schools, and community colleges. The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) has set minimum standards for training curricula and certifies driver training courses that meet industry and Federal Highway Administration (FHA) guidelines. Many employers require their drivers to take PTDI-approved training, which they should pay for.

Hazmat Background Checks

Under the USA PATRIOT Act, commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) must pass a background records check and be fingerprinted. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for conducting the background checks for all commercial drivers with hazmat endorsements or who want to add hazmat endorsements to their licenses. The TSA developed this program to carry out the USA PATRIOT Act mandate and protect citizens from the potential threat of terrorists using hazmat cargo. The requirement is a result of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56, Section 1012) and the Safe Explosives Act (Public Law 107-296, Section 1121-1123), ARS § 28-3103(A)(2), and 49 CFR 1572.

If the TSA disqualifies you because of your background, you can appeal its finding or seek a waiver. However, if you are found guilty of a disqualifying crime, you must declare any disqualifying conditions and surrender your hazmat endorsement (if you already have it) to your state's department of motor vehicles or other licensing agency.

Begin your background investigation after you apply for your CDL and turn in your medical forms.

The TSA charges the following nonrefundable fees for background checks:

• Information collection fee: $38

• Threat assessment fee: $34

• FBI fee: $22

• Total: $94

Background checks take between one and eight weeks; the results are mailed. After you're approved, go to the DMV to complete your application process.

If you're denied, you can appeal or seek a waiver.
According to the FMCSA, hazmat endorsements must be renewed at least every five years. However, your state might require renewal more often. You will need a background check each time you renew your hazmat endorsement. You must arrange for the background check no less than 30 days before the expiration of your current approval, or your CDL may be canceled.

Disqualifying Crimes

Conviction of any of the following crimes will disqualify you from being eligible for a hazmat endorsement:

• Terrorism

• Murder

• Assault with intent to murder

• Espionage

• Sedition

• Kidnapping or hostage-taking

• Treason

• Rape or aggravated sexual abuse

• Extortion

• Robbery

• Arson

• Bribery

• Smuggling

• Immigration violations

• RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations

• Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive device, firearm, or other weapon

• Distribution of, intent to distribute, possession, or importation of a controlled substance

• Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud

• Crimes involving a severe transportation security incident

• Improper transportation of a hazardous material

• Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes