...
An individual who applies, for the first time, for a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL), or who upgrades to a Class A or Class B CDL, must complete driver training from a provider listed on the Training Provider Registry (TPR) administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
A specific curriculum that includes theory and behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed in order to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL.
Scope
These requirements apply to all entry-level drivers who drive in interstate, intrastate or foreign commerce and are subject to the CDL requirements.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 380.609 — General entry-level driver training requirements
- 49 CFR Appendix A to 380 — Class A—CDL Training Curriculum
- 49 CFR Appendix B to Part 380 — Class B—CDL Training Curriculum
Key definitions
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL): A license issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction of domicile, in accordance with the standards contained in 49 CFR 383, to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of a commercial motor vehicle.
- Commercial motor vehicle (CMV): A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle is a:
- Combination Vehicle (Group A) — Having a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater. The towed unit(s) must have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater; or
- Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) — Having a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
- Small Vehicle (Group C) — Does not meet Group A or B requirements but is either:
- Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
- Of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in 383.5.
- Entry-level driver: An individual who must complete the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test requirements under 383.71 prior to receiving a CDL for the first time, upgrading to a Class A or Class B CDL, or obtaining a hazardous materials, passenger, or school bus endorsement for the first time.
- Range: An area that:
- Must be free of obstructions,
- Enables the driver to maneuver safely and free from interference from other vehicles and hazards, and
- Has adequate sight lines.
- Theory instruction: Knowledge instruction on the operation of a commercial motor vehicle and related matters provided by a theory instructor through lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations, computer-based instruction, driving simulation devices, online training, or similar means.
Summary of requirements
Theory training. There is no required minimum number of instruction hours for theory training, but the training instructor must cover all topics set forth in the curriculum.
The curriculum address five areas of instruction. Instruction must cover all topics under the five areas of instruction.
- Basic operation
- Orientation
- Control systems/dashboard
- Pre-trip inspections and post-trip inspections
- Basic control
- Shifting/operating transmissions
- Backing and docking
- Coupling and uncoupling (Class A only)
- Safe operating procedures
- Visual search
- Communication
- Distracted driving
- Speed management
- Space management
- Night operation
- Extreme driving conditions
- Advanced operating practices
- Hazard perception
- Skid control/recovery, jackknifing, and other emergencies
- Railroad-highway grade crossings
- Vehicle systems and reporting malfunctions
- Identification and diagnosis of malfunctions
- Roadside inspections
- Maintenance
- Non-driving activities
- Handling and documenting cargo*
- Environmental compliance issues*
- Hours-of-service requirements
- Fatigue and wellness awareness
- Post-crash procedures*
- External communications*
- Whistleblower / Coercion*
- Trip planning*
- Drugs / Alcohol*
- Medical requirements*
*Instruction on this topic not required for drivers upgrading from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL.
A written assessment must be used to determine the driver-trainee’s proficiency for each unit of instruction. The driver-trainee must receive an overall minimum score of 80 percent on the theory assessment.
Behind-the-wheel training. There is no required minimum number of instruction hours for behind-the-wheel (range and public road) training, but the training instructor must:
- Cover all topics set forth in the behind-the-wheel curriculum.
- Conduct training in the class of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that the driver-trainee will be taking the Class A or Class B road test in when completing the skills/road test.
- Not use a simulation device to conduct the training or demonstrate proficiency.
- Determine and document that each driver-trainee has demonstrated proficiency in all elements of the behind-the-wheel curriculum.
- Document the total number of clock hours each driver-trainee spends to complete the behind-the-wheel curriculum.
Range training. Behind-the-wheel range training is training provided by a behind-the-wheel instructor when an entry-level driver has actual control of the power unit during a driving lesson conducted on a range. Behind-the-wheel range training does not include time an entry-level driver spends observing the operation of a CMV when not in control of the vehicle.
Behind-the-wheel range training must teach driving exercises related to basic vehicle control skills and mastery of basic maneuvers necessary to operate the vehicle safely. The training provider must teach ‘‘Get Out and Look’’ (GOAL) to the driver-trainee as it applies to various range training topics.
The required range training topics are as follows:
- Vehicle inspection pre trip / en route / post trip
- Straight line backing
- Alley dock backing (45/90 degree)
- Off-set backing
- Parallel parking blind side
- Parallel parking sight side
- Coupling and uncoupling (Class A only)
Public road training. Behind-the-wheel public road training is training provided by a behind-the-wheel instructor when an entry-level driver has actual control of the power unit during a driving lesson conducted on a public road. Behind-the-wheel public road training does not include the time that an entry-level driver spends observing the operation of a CMV when not in control of the vehicle.
The instructor must engage in active two-way communication with the driver-trainee during all active behind-the-wheel public road training sessions.
The required public road training topics are as follows:
- Vehicle controls, including:
- Left turns
- Right turns
- Lane changes
- Curves at highway speeds
- Entry and exit on the interstate or controlled access highway
- Shifting/Transmission
- Communications/Signaling
- Visual search
- Speed and space management
- Safe driver behavior
- Hours-of-service requirements
- Hazard perception*
- Railroad-highway grade crossing*
- Night operation*
- Extreme driving conditions*
- Skid control/Recovery, jackknifing, and other emergencies*
*These topics must be discussed during public road training, but not necessarily performed. Driver-trainees are not required to demonstrate proficiency in these skills.