Qualification of drivers - Illinois

Illinois has adopted Part 380 (Special Training Requirements) of the Federal Regulations with the exception of Secs. 380.103, 380.105, 380.501, 380.502, and 380.509(a).

Illinois has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations with the exception of Sec. 391.11(b)(1) for intrastate drivers.

Part 380 applies to drivers who possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Part 391 applies to persons employing drivers, drivers, and any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on public highways in interstate and intrastate commerce when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight, a gross vehicle weight rating, a gross combination weight, or a gross combination weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds, or the vehicle is used in the transportation of hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding under the Illinois Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

Sec. 391.11(b)(1) was not adopted for intrastate drivers. A commercial operator must be 18 years old.

A driver qualification file (Sec. 391.51) is required. There is an exception to the physical qualification requirement. See Physical Qualification for details.

An entry-level driver is defined as a driver with less than one year of experience operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in interstate or intrastate commerce. Each employer must ensure that each entry-level driver that began operating a CMV requiring a CDL in interstate or intrastate commerce after July 20, 2003, receives the training required by Sec. 380.503.

Illinois law permits insulin dependent diabetics and drivers with visual acuity problems who were eligible to, licensed to and engaged in the operation of commercial motor vehicles, with a GVWR or GCW of over 12,000 pounds, prior to July 29, 1986, and who would have otherwise been disqualified to drive by Illinois’ adoption of Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, to continue to drive provided such drivers have individual driving records which indicate their ability to drive safely. Illinois law grants similar relief to insulin dependent diabetics and drivers with visual acuity problems who were eligible to, licensed to and engaged in the operation of certain commercial motor vehicles between 10,000 and 12,000 pounds GVWR or GCWR prior to January 17, 1992, and who would have otherwise been disqualified by Illinois’ adoption of Public Act 87-829. If a driver is qualified under these provisions, the medical certificate must say, “Qualified only for intrastate transportation in Illinois.”

Exception — The physical qualification requirements in Part 391, Subpart E do not apply to drivers of covered farm vehicles as defined in 92 Ill. Adm. Code 390.1020.