Driver qualification (DQ files)

Alabama

Applies to intrastate CMVs ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Alaska

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 14,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Arizona

Applies to GVWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. (single or combination) or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Arkansas

Applies to GVW, GVWR, GCW, GCWR ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

California

The following records must be maintained when operating a vehicle as defined in 34500 of the California Vehicle Code (including a vehicle or combination that weighs or is rated at 10,001 pounds or more):

• A record of the different types of vehicles and vehicle combinations each driver is capable of driving (often referred to as a Driver Proficiency record); and
• An application for employment.

Note: Maintenance of the Driver Proficiency record is required of all California-based drivers (interstate and intrastate).

In addition to the above records, the following records must be maintained for each intrastate driver who possesses a commercial driver’s license (CDL):

• An initial motor vehicle record (signed and dated);
• Employer Pull Notice (EPN) records (signed and dated); and
• An annual review of the driver’s driving record -- either a motor vehicle record (MVR) or a full “annual” or “enrollment pull notice” (signed and dated).

Colorado

Applies to:

• Vehicle with apportioned plate
• GVWR or GCWR ≥ 16,001 lbs.
• Placardable hazmat

Connecticut

Applies to GVW, GVWR, GCW, GCWR ≥ 18,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Delaware

Applies to GVWR, GVW, GCWR, GCW > 26,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

District of Columbia

Applies to GVWR, GCWR > 10,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Florida

Applies to GVW, GVWR, GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Georgia

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Hawaii

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, or GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Idaho

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, or GCW > 26,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Illinois

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Indiana

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. (for-hire carrier), GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. (private carrier), or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Iowa

Applies to GVWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Kansas

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Exception: Private motor carriers domiciled in Kansas operating vehicles with a GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW of 10,001 lbs. to 26,000 lbs. are exempt from compliance with Part 391. This exemption does not apply to motor vehicles which are used in the transportation of hazardous materials and required to be placarded.

Kentucky

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Louisiana

Applies to single or combined GVW or GVWR > 26,000 lbs. or hazardous materials. Same as federal.

Maine

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Exception: Intrastate motor carriers operating less than 100 air miles from their regular place of business are subject to 391.13, 391.15, 391.23(a), 391.23(a)(1), 391.25(a), 391.25(b), 391.27(a), 391.27(b), and 391.41(b)(12)(i) but are otherwise exempt from all other sections of Part 391.

Documents and records obtained from inquiries made pursuant to 391.23, 391.25, and 391.27 must be maintained on file by the motor carrier for a period of two years.

This exception does not apply to carriers hauling hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.

Maryland

Applies to GVWR, GCWR ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Massachusetts

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Michigan

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Minnesota

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Mississippi

Applies to GVWR, GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Missouri

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Montana

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Nebraska

Applies to drivers who are operating a commercial motor vehicle as defined in 60-465 that requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Same as federal.

Nevada

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or hazmat as defined in NRS 459.7024. Same as federal.

New Hampshire

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

New Jersey

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW, or registered weight ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

New Mexico

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

New York

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat.

A driver qualification file according to 391.51 (the federal requirements) is required for a driver hauling hazardous materials.

A driver who received his/her original driver’s license on or after January 1, 2004, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to 391.51.

A driver who received his/her original commercial driver’s license on or after September 9, 1999, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to 391.51.

Exception: A driver who received his/her original driver’s license before January 1, 2004, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to 391.51, except items relating to the medical exam (391.41) and medical certificate (391.45).

Exception: A driver who received his/her original commercial driver’s license before September 9, 1999, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to 391.51, except items relating to the medical exam (391.41) and medical certificate (391.45).

North Carolina

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

North Dakota

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Ohio

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. (for-hire carrier)

Applies to (private carrier):

• GCW or GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a GVWR or GVW > 10,000 lbs., whichever is greater;
• GVWR or GVW ≥ 26,001 lbs., whichever is greater; or
• Placardable hazmat.

Oklahoma

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Oregon

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat (for-hire carrier).

Applies to: GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs.* or placardable hazmat (private carrier).

*Must comply with 391.11(b)(2), 391.11(b)(5), 391.15 at ≥ 10,001 lbs. GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW.

Same as federal.

Pennsylvania

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 17,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. (PennDOT).

Applies to GVWR or registered gross weight > 10,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. (PUC)

Same as federal.

Rhode Island

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

South Carolina

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

South Dakota

Applies to ≥ 3 axles, GVWR ≥ 26,001 lbs., or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Tennessee

Applies to GVWR or GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Texas

Applies to actual gross weight or gross weight rating > 26,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Utah

Applies to GVWR, GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat (≥ 18-years old).

Applies to GVWR, GCWR ≥ 16,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat (< 18-years old).

Same as federal.

Vermont

Applies to GVW or GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Virginia

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW > 26,000 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Washington

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Exception: Under the Washington State Patrol adoption, motor carriers operating vehicles with a GVWR between 10,001 lbs. and 26,000 lbs. operating intrastate, and not transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding, are exempt from Part 391, Subparts D and E (road test and physical qualification).

West Virginia

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 10,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Wisconsin

Applies to GVWR ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.

Wyoming

Applies to GVWR, GCWR, GVW, GCW ≥ 26,001 lbs. or placardable hazmat. Same as federal.