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A written exam is a safety management control used by many motor carriers as a part of the driver qualification process. A typical examination covers multiple areas of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and the Hazardous Materials Regulations to measure an applicant’s knowledge.
A written exam is not specifically required in the FMCSRs.* Instead, it fits within the scope of 390.3(e). Everyone involved in motor carrier safety must know and comply with the safety regulations.
A motor carrier determines which safety management controls it wants to use to satisfy 390.3(e). Examples provided to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) during an investigation often include training and communication, policies and procedures, assigned roles and responsibilities, hiring and qualification standards, and monitoring and tracking of compliance. Asking applicants to pass a written test is one example of qualifying a new driver.
*Note: A number of years ago, the FMCSRs required a written exam of drivers. It was removed from the safety regulations on December 23, 1994.