1 Commercial Drivers License Issues South Eastern States Pupil Transportation Conference Hampton, VA July 18, 2006 Kevin Lewis, AAMVA

2 Presentation Topics Who is AAMVA History of CDL Test Revision Process Vehicle Inspection Basic Control Skills Road Test Questions

3 Founded in 1933, AAMVA is a voluntary, nonprofit, tax exempt, educational organization. AAMVA represents the state and provincial officials in the United States and Canada who administer and enforce motor vehicle laws. AAMVA

4 Develops model programs in motor vehicle administration, police traffic services and highway safety. The association serves as an information clearinghouse for these same disciplines, and acts as the international spokesman for these interests. AAMVA

5 The association's programs encourage uniformity and reciprocity among the states and provinces, and liaisons with other levels of government and the private sector. Its program development and research activities provide guidelines for more effective public service. AAMVA

6 Why Update the CDL Tests? Over 16 years since the development of the current CDL Testing Program States have implemented non-standardized testing practices

7 Concerns with CDL Skills Testing Length of time to administer tests Long waiting periods Examiner/Test Reliability Testing standards didn’t reflect training standards Memorization on vehicle inspection test Inconsistency in test administration (interstate and intrastate) In need of up-dating

8 Concerns with CDL Driver Manual Graphics New Knowledge Domains No major revision since development In need of up-dating

9 Concerns with CDL Knowledge Tests Problem Questions New Knowledge Domains –Missing critical knowledge domains No longer up-to-date if driver manual is revised

10 Overview of the CDL Test Revision Efforts Developed in 1989 by the Essex Corporation AAMVA Test Maintenance Subcommittee (TMS) –In 1997 decided to revisit/review the CDL skills tests and initiated the process along with FHWA and NHTSA –Pilot and Field Tests were planned to insure that non-researched based testing procedures were not mandated by Congress or FHWA

11 Overview of the CDL Test Revision Efforts CDL Industry Forums CDL Test Experts Meeting –The full set of tests are doing what they were designed to do –Concerns of major revisions –Issue of jurisdictional inconsistencies Fall 1999 –Issued Request for Proposal –Contractor on board 2000

12 Overview of the CDL Test Revision Efforts TEA-21 Legislation –Required FHWA/OMC to review current CDL knowledge and skills testing procedures to determine if they were an adequate reflection of the knowledge and skills required for CDL drivers.

13 WHO WAS INVOLVED? AAMVA’s Test Maintenance Subcommittee Motor Vehicle Administrators CDL Coordinators CDL Test Experts Industry Unions Federal Organizations Safety Organizations Law Enforcement Drivers/Student Drivers

14 Key Dates – CDL Test Revision March The Scientex Corporation Research/Development Sessions – November September 2001 (5) – Pilot Test (3 sessions, over 130 drivers) – Field Test – 2004 Delaware, New York, Indiana (over 1,000 applicants)

15 Guiding Principles Administratively feasible –Administration time constraints –Implementation costs –Some built-in flexibility User/Examiner friendly Functionality Subjective vs. Objective Scoring

16 CDL TEST SYSTEM EFFORT CORE AREAS –Skills Tests Vehicle Inspection Basic Control Skills Road Test –Knowledge Tests –Driver Manual –Examiner Manual & Training Materials

17 Vehicle Inspection Test Revisions focused on: –Enhancing scoring criteria –Adding scoring criteria for non-fifth wheel combination vehicles –Enhancing scoring criteria for school busses –Reducing length of test without reducing the effectiveness of the test (Randomization)

18 VEHICLE INSPECTION Three forms (A, B, & C) developed to provide for random sampling Includes full vehicle inspection Core components that all drivers must inspect –in-cab/engine start –coupling system (combination vehicles only)

21 Items22 Items21 Items

22 Items21 Items 15 Items 11 Items 4 Items 11 Items

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27 Basic Control Skills Test Revisions focused on: –Developing real world basic control skills activities –Bringing basic control skills standards inline with training standards –Reducing length of test without reducing the effectiveness of the test

28 BASIC CONTROL SKILLS 6 different exercises More realistic skill exercises Testing standards more closely resemble job requirements Driver must complete exercise as intended

29 EXERCISES IMPLEMENTED Straight Line Backing Offset Back - Left Offset Back - Right Conventional Parallel Park Sight-side Parallel Park 90° Alley Dock

30 BASIC SKILLS IMPLEMENTATION Implementation involves a minimum of 3 exercises –Straight line backing and –Offset left or offset right and –Conventional parallel park or sight-side parallel park or 90° alley dock

31 BASIC SKILLS SCORING Actual score is TOTAL OF –LOOKS (AFTER 2 FREE) + –PULLUPS (AFTER 2 FREE) + –ENCROACHMENTS + –FINAL POSITION (IF APPLICABLE) + –INSIDE PARALLEL (IF APPLICABLE) + –INSIDE ALLEY (IF APPLICABLE)

32 BASIC SKILLS SCORING PASS/FAIL Scores –PASSING SCORE IS 12 POINTS OR LESS –PASSING SCORE DOES NOT INCREASE IF MORE THAN 3 EXERCISES ARE PERFORMED

33 Basic Control Skills Test

34 Straight Line Backing

35 Offset Backing

36 Offset Backing 12ft Minimum 40 ft 12 inches or width of cone 100 ft Class B 12ft 140 ft Class A 33ft

37 90° Alley Dock

38 90° ALLEY DOCK Reference Boundary 70 ft Class A Hash Marks Reference Boundary 50 ft Class B 12 ft

39 CONVENTIONAL PARALLEL PARK Minimum of 225 ft

40 CONVENTIONAL PARALLEL PARK Length of Vehicle plus fifteen feet 1 ft intervals 12 ft Minimum of 225 ft

41 SIGHT SIDE PARALLEL PARK Minimum of 225 ft

42 ROAD TEST Significant expansion of Road Test score form Multiple line items provided to give examiner more opportunities to score Expressway, lane changes, railroad crossings and stop/through intersections scoring enhanced Additional curves and signs for identification Additional general driving behaviors scoring

43 Road Test Revisions focused on: –Enhancing scoring criteria descriptions –Separating multiple line items –Improving lane changes and rail road crossing maneuvers –Evaluation of General Driving Behaviors and Automatic Failures –Adding scoring criteria for school busses

44 ROAD TEST PASSING SCORE = 30 OR FEWER ERRORS

45 Road Test

57 Benefits Tests that meet/exceed federal standards Flexibility in test administration Tests that are up-to-date and mirror current CDL training practices Tests that are an accurate reflection of CDL skills

58 Timeline AAMVA released the 2005 testing system to all jurisdictions in Jan 06 FMCSA will begin rule-making procedure on new FMCSA testing regulations Implementation window is now

59 Questions ?

60 Contact Information Kevin Lewis Vice-President, Driver Programs