Listen, read along, and learn
CDL Section 1 - Rules and Regulations
Parts 1.1 to 1.3

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) was passed by Congress to address the problems caused by irresponsible and unqualified bus and truck drivers who are damaging the image of a safety-conscious profession. Unqualified drivers, often licensed following inadequate testing in many other states, have been found to be the cause of tragic accidents and other threats to highway safety. Many times, these drivers sought to escape responsibility for their actions by carrying driverʼs licenses issued by many states and spreading their traffic convictions among these licenses - thus avoiding suspensions or revocations.

The CMVSA was designed to stop these abuses by prohibiting drivers from holding more than one license. A nationwide information system prevents the issuance of multiple licenses, allows states to exchange information on traffic violations and makes it easier to remove problem drivers from the road. Those drivers who violate the law are subject to tougher penalties.

In addition, the law requires states to adopt uniform testing standards for commercial drivers prior to licensing. These testing standards are similar to those in effect for years.

Finally, sanctions for serious traffic violators will help ensure that commercial drivers remain accountable for their actions.

Under state and federal law, certain drivers are not subject to the requirements of the CDL program. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has determined that these exemptions will not diminish the safe operation of commercial vehicles on the highways.

The following vehicle operators are not required to obtain a CDL:

• Farm Equipment Operators - This exemption covers legitimate farm-to-market operations by farmers, not commercial grain haulers. CDLs are not required to operate vehicles:

  • Controlled and operated by a farmer, a member of the farmerʼs family or an employee;

  • Used to transport farm products, equipment or supplies to or from a farm (including nurseries and aquacultures);

  • Used within 150 air miles of the farm; and

  • Not used in the operations of a common or contract carrier; and

  • Used in nursery or agricultural operations.

• NOTE: For the drivers of truck-tractor semitrailers, the farmer, his or her spouse and their children, parents on both sides, brothers and sisters on both sides and their spouses operating a truck-tractor semitrailer and meeting the above criteria also are exempted from the CDL Program. These drivers must be at least age 21, and the vehicle must have Farm plates. These drivers are still required to take the appropriate CDL written, skills and road tests to be licensed.

• Firefighting Equipment Operators - Because most firefighting organizations have extensive initial training and re- training requirements for their equipment operators, Illinois waives CDL requirements for operators of firefighting equipment owned or operated by or for a government agency, when responding to or returning from an emergency.

• Military Vehicle Operators - Operators of military vehicles for military purposes are exempt from obtaining a CDL.

• Recreational Vehicle Operators - Recreational vehicle operators, when using the vehicle primarily for personal use, do not need a CDL.

1) What does GCWR stand for?

• Gross Combined Weight Rating

2) Which of the following requires a CDL?

• Driving a vehicle weighing more than 26,001 for commercial purposes across state lines

3) Which of the following requires a CDL?

• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more pounds

4) What does GVWR stand for?

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

5) A Farm Equipment Operator must obtain a CDL if...

• The farm equipment operator will be traveling further than 150 miles from his or her farm

6) Which of the following are exempt from obtaining a CDL:

• All of these are exempt (Farm Equipment Operators, Firefighting Equiment Operators and Military Vehicle Operators)

7) Military Vehicle Operators must obtain a CDL if:

• Military Vehicle Operators never need to obtain a CDL as long as the vehicle is being used for military purposes