§ 383.113 Required skills. ( a ) *Pre-trip vehicle inspection skills.* Applicants for a CDL must possess the following basic pre-trip vehicle inspection skills for the vehicle class that the driver operates or expects to operate: ( 1 ) *All test vehicles.* Applicants must be able to identify each safety-related part on the vehicle and explain what needs to be inspected to ensure a safe operating condition of each part, including: ( i ) Engine compartment;
( ii ) Cab/engine start;
( iii ) Steering;
( iv ) Suspension;
( v ) Brakes;
( vi ) Wheels;
( vii ) Side of vehicle;
( viii ) Rear of vehicle; and
( ix ) Special features of tractor trailer, school bus, or coach/transit bus, if this type of vehicle is being used for the test.
( 2 ) *Air brake equipped test vehicles.* Applicants must demonstrate the following skills with respect to inspection and operation of air brakes: ( i ) Locate and verbally identify air brake operating controls and monitoring devices;
( ii ) Determine the motor vehicle's brake system condition for proper adjustments and that air system connections between motor vehicles have been properly made and secured;
( iii ) Inspect the low pressure warning device(s) to ensure that they will activate in emergency situations;
( iv ) With the engine running, make sure that the system maintains an adequate supply of compressed air;
( v ) Determine that required minimum air pressure build up time is within acceptable limits and that required alarms and emergency devices automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level; and
( vi ) Operationally check the brake system for proper performance.
( b ) *Basic vehicle control skills.* All applicants for a CDL must possess and demonstrate the following basic motor vehicle control skills for the vehicle class that the driver operates or expects to operate: ( 1 ) Ability to start, warm up, and shut down the engine;
( 2 ) Ability to put the motor vehicle in motion and accelerate smoothly, forward and backward;
( 3 ) Ability to bring the motor vehicle to a smooth stop;
( 4 ) Ability to back the motor vehicle in a straight line, and check path and clearance while backing;
( 5 ) Ability to position the motor vehicle to negotiate safely and then make left and right turns;
( 6 ) Ability to shift as required and select appropriate gear for speed and highway conditions; and
( 7 ) Ability to back along a curved path.
( c ) *Safe on-road driving skills.* All applicants for a CDL must possess and demonstrate the following safe on-road driving skills for their vehicle class: ( 1 ) Ability to use proper visual search methods;
( 2 ) Ability to signal appropriately when changing direction in traffic;
( 3 ) Ability to adjust speed to the configuration and condition of the roadway, weather and visibility conditions, traffic conditions, and motor vehicle, cargo and driver conditions;
( 4 ) Ability to choose a safe gap for changing lanes, passing other vehicles, as well as for crossing or entering traffic;
( 5 ) Ability to position the motor vehicle correctly before and during a turn to prevent other vehicles from passing on the wrong side, as well as to prevent problems caused by off-tracking;
( 6 ) Ability to maintain a safe following distance depending on the condition of the road, visibility, and vehicle weight;
( 7 ) Ability to adjust operation of the motor vehicle to prevailing weather conditions including speed selection, braking, direction changes, and following distance to maintain control; and
( 8 ) Ability to observe the road and the behavior of other motor vehicles, particularly before changing speed and direction.
( d ) *Test area.* Skills tests shall be conducted in on-street conditions or under a combination of on-street and off-street conditions.
( e ) *Simulation technology.* A State may utilize simulators to perform skills testing, but under no circumstances as a substitute for the required testing in on-street conditions.
[76 FR 26889, May 9, 2011]