# Presentation: 218558

## Qualifications of Drivers

## Purpose

- This presentation is intended to educate commercial motor carriers and their drivers on the FMCSA regulations on driver qualifications.

## Exemptions

- There are certain exemptions to these
- guidelines.
- For a complete list, please visit:
- _[http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/391.2.htm](http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/391.2.htm)_

## Commercial Driver Requirements

- Be in good health and physically able to perform all duties of a driver
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be able to drive vehicle safely

## Commercial Driver Requirements

- Know how to safely load, block, brace and secure the cargo
- Have only one valid commercial driver’s license
- Provide an employing motor carrier with a list of all motor vehicle violations                   (See Part 391.27).

## Commercial Driver Requirements

- Pass a driver’s road test or equivalent
- Complete an application for employment
- Possess a valid medical certificate

## Commercial Driver Requirements

**Speak and read English** well enough to:
- Converse with the general public
- Understand traffic signs and signals
- Respond to official questions
- Be able to make legible entries on reports and records

## Physical Requirements

- A person shall not drive a commercial
- motor vehicle unless he/she is physically
- qualified to do so.
- For a complete list of physical requirements, please visit:
- _[http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/391.41.htm](http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/391.41.htm)_

## Driver’s Responsibilities

- A driver shall not operate a
- commercial motor vehicle
- unless:
- They can determine whether the cargo being transported has been properly located, distributed and secured
- They are familiar with methods and procedures for securing cargo

## Disqualification

- A driver who is disqualified shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle
- A motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver who is disqualified to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle **(CMV)**

## Disqualification

- A driver can be disqualified if
- convicted for:
- Driving a CMV while under the influence of alcohol
- Driving a CMV while under the influence of drugs or controlled substances
- Transporting or possessing a drug or controlled substance

## Disqualification

- Leaving the scene of an accident that involves a CMV
- Using a CMV to commit a felony
- Using a CMV to violate an Out-of-Service Order
- Using a CMV to violate the railroad-highway grade crossing rule

## Driver Qualification File

- Every motor carrier must have a file for
- each regularly employed driver that
- includes:
- Driver’s application for employment
- Inquiry to previous employers – 3 years
- Inquiry to state agencies – 3 years
- Inquiry to state agencies - annual

## Driver Qualification File

- Annual review of driving record
- Annual driver’s certification of violations
- Driver’s road test certificate or equivalent
- Medical examiner’s certificate

## Penalties

**A first offender is disqualified for one year** following conviction or forfeiture (6 months for possession of a controlled substance)
- For a second offense within three years, a driver is disqualified for three years

## In Conclusion

**Thank you for your time and attention!**