Law Changes Affecting Commercial Drivers Presented by: PennDOT’s, Bureau of Driver Licensing Stephen P. Cantini | CDL Manager PA Department of Transportation Bureau of Driver Licensing Chris Miller | Manager, Driver License Division PA Department of Transportation Bureau of Driver Licensing

Act 49 of 2015: Act 49 significantly changed PennDOT’s processes for issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs). Changes were effective December 21, Changes affect both CDL and CLP holders. Majority of the changes were in response to the changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Date of Proof, Part 1: All new CDL applicants and current holders required to renew or make any changes or upgrades to their CDL must do so in person. –FMCSA final rules require license holders to prove citizenship or legal presence in the form of a birth certificate, valid passport, naturalization documents or current immigration documents in-person. –The requirement to prove citizenship or legal presence for permanent residents and citizens will only need to be done once as a notation will be made on the customer’s record.

Date of Proof, Part 2: In addition to providing proof of legal presence, residency documents are required initially, at renewal and anytime an address change occurs or an upgrade to a CDL is needed. –Proof of residency can be accomplished by providing; tax records, lease agreements, mortgage documents, a W-2 Form, current weapons permit, current utility bills (water, gas, electric, cable, etc), a letter from the Department or current license.

CDL Restriction Code Changes: –E restriction – prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a manual transmission –K restriction – restricts the driver to intrastate driving only (within the boundaries of PA) –O restriction – prohibits a Class A driver from driving a truck tractor-trailer combination –P restriction *on the permit only – prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle bus containing passengers –X restriction *on the permit only – prohibits tank vehicles from carrying cargo –Z restriction – prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle with full air brakes

Removing CDL Restrictions: If a driver wants to remove any of the restrictions on their current license, the driver may not have to retake the complete skills tests. –Federal regulations allow States to administer a modified test, which will include a knowledge test and skills test, depending on the restriction to be removed. –The applicant’s permit will reflect the required testing.

Commercial Learner’s Permits Any Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) issued on or after December 21, 2015 will be valid for no more than 180 days. Additionally, if a permit expires or was renewed once and needs to be renewed again, all knowledge tests must be retaken. The 15 day training period is reset any time an endorsement or restriction removal is added to a permit. This includes existing CDL holders. A CLP will not be issued to anyone who does not hold a current and valid driver’s license as of December 21, 2015.

School Bus Drivers The annual physical and vision examination requirements for school bus drivers have changed. The time period for having the examinations completed has been extended from every 12 months to every 13 months. Training Permits (a precursor to the learner’s permit) is no longer issued for school bus drivers.

Implementation of New CDL Skills Test: Changes mandated by the FMCSA regarding Commercial Driver Skills Tests (CDST) affecting both Commercial Driver’s License holders and Commercial Learner’s Permit holders were phased in at driver license centers beginning the week of June 15. All 109 of the third party testers contracted with PennDOT to administer the CDST are in compliance with these required changes.

CDL Skills Test Changes: Vehicle Inspection Basic Controls Skills Test (backing maneuvers) On the Road Skills Test

Skills Testing of Out-of-State students: PennDOT allows a third party tester to administer the skills test to a student who has taken training in PA and is licensed in another United States jurisdiction (i.e., his/her state of domicile). –The test results must be transmitted electronically directly from the out-of-state tester to the licensing state in an efficient and secure manner. –Additionally, the state of domicile of a CDL applicant must accept the results of a skills test administered to the applicant by any other DMV or third party tester.

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