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['CMV driving']
['Cell phones and texting - Motor Carrier', 'Defensive driving']
11/03/2023
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
Institute
Fleet Safety
Cell phones and texting - Motor Carrier
Defensive driving
Transportation
CMV driving
What Would you Do Questions
English
Analysis
Focus Area
USA
Knowledge check: CMV driving rules
You are the safety director for a private truck fleet and one of your drivers enters your office with a couple of questions. How would you respond?
Scenario 1: “Hey boss, I’ve got an idea for that communications problem we’re having. Since the company gave us those new tablets for paperwork and logging and navigation and stuff, I found a cool messaging app we can use to better coordinate deliveries while en route. Plus, it would really help us stay in touch with family. I wouldn’t type while driving — I know that’s illegal — but at least I could receive and read messages en route and I would only send messages at stop lights and stuff. What do you say?”
Scenario 2: “The seat belt in my truck is really starting to cause problems. You know I’ve put on a few pounds and now the belt is really cutting in and it’s just making me feel trapped and unsafe. I’m a little claustrophobic so I get these panic attacks. Is it alright if I just leave the belt off? Or can I at least uninstall the shoulder belt? I’ll even sign something saying I’ll take full responsibility for my own safety. What do you say?”
Click below to see answers.
Knowledge check: CMV driving rules: Answers
Scenario 1 Answer: Federal regulations prohibit texting while driving (see 392.80). The definition of “texting” in 390.5 says it includes sending or reading text messages from any electronic device. In addition, “driving” as defined in 392.80 includes being temporarily stopped at a traffic control device. Therefore, a driver could face hefty fines if caught reading or sending text messages in traffic, even if stopped at a light. Texting is allowed when legally parked or to contact emergency services, however. The rule does not prohibit all forms of communication while driving, but reading or entering text messages is clearly not allowed.
Scenario 2 Answer: Federal regulations require all commercial motor vehicle drivers to be fully belted at all times (see 392.16). Passengers on property-carrying vehicles must also be belted in. There are no exceptions for drivers who have — or claim to have — medical conditions that prevent them from being belted in. State traffic laws also apply, and some states require that both the shoulder and lap belts be worn at all times. Finally, vehicles must comply with the manufacturing standards for their entire service life, so if the vehicle was required to be manufactured with a lap/shoulder belt then the lap/shoulder belt must remain installed in the vehicle (see 393.93). There are aftermarket products that may help this driver, but you must verify that they comply with state and federal regulations.
cmv-driving
CMV driving
Knowledge check: CMV driving rules
You are the safety director for a private truck fleet and one of your drivers enters your office with a couple of questions. How would you respond?
Scenario 1: “Hey boss, I’ve got an idea for that communications problem we’re having. Since the company gave us those new tablets for paperwork and logging and navigation and stuff, I found a cool messaging app we can use to better coordinate deliveries while en route. Plus, it would really help us stay in touch with family. I wouldn’t type while driving — I know that’s illegal — but at least I could receive and read messages en route and I would only send messages at stop lights and stuff. What do you say?”
Scenario 2: “The seat belt in my truck is really starting to cause problems. You know I’ve put on a few pounds and now the belt is really cutting in and it’s just making me feel trapped and unsafe. I’m a little claustrophobic so I get these panic attacks. Is it alright if I just leave the belt off? Or can I at least uninstall the shoulder belt? I’ll even sign something saying I’ll take full responsibility for my own safety. What do you say?”
Click below to see answers.
Knowledge check: CMV driving rules: Answers
Scenario 1 Answer: Federal regulations prohibit texting while driving (see 392.80). The definition of “texting” in 390.5 says it includes sending or reading text messages from any electronic device. In addition, “driving” as defined in 392.80 includes being temporarily stopped at a traffic control device. Therefore, a driver could face hefty fines if caught reading or sending text messages in traffic, even if stopped at a light. Texting is allowed when legally parked or to contact emergency services, however. The rule does not prohibit all forms of communication while driving, but reading or entering text messages is clearly not allowed.
Scenario 2 Answer: Federal regulations require all commercial motor vehicle drivers to be fully belted at all times (see 392.16). Passengers on property-carrying vehicles must also be belted in. There are no exceptions for drivers who have — or claim to have — medical conditions that prevent them from being belted in. State traffic laws also apply, and some states require that both the shoulder and lap belts be worn at all times. Finally, vehicles must comply with the manufacturing standards for their entire service life, so if the vehicle was required to be manufactured with a lap/shoulder belt then the lap/shoulder belt must remain installed in the vehicle (see 393.93). There are aftermarket products that may help this driver, but you must verify that they comply with state and federal regulations.
You are the safety director for a private truck fleet and one of your drivers enters your office with a couple of questions. How would you respond?
Scenario 1: “Hey boss, I’ve got an idea for that communications problem we’re having. Since the company gave us those new tablets for paperwork and logging and navigation and stuff, I found a cool messaging app we can use to better coordinate deliveries while en route. Plus, it would really help us stay in touch with family. I wouldn’t type while driving — I know that’s illegal — but at least I could receive and read messages en route and I would only send messages at stop lights and stuff. What do you say?”
Scenario 2: “The seat belt in my truck is really starting to cause problems. You know I’ve put on a few pounds and now the belt is really cutting in and it’s just making me feel trapped and unsafe. I’m a little claustrophobic so I get these panic attacks. Is it alright if I just leave the belt off? Or can I at least uninstall the shoulder belt? I’ll even sign something saying I’ll take full responsibility for my own safety. What do you say?”
Click below to see answers.
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Answer
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.