1. Entry-level driver training

2. Areas of training Driver qualification Driver wellness
Hours of service
Whistleblower protection 1a

3. General driver qualification
At least 21 years old
Can read, write, and speak English
Have experience and/or training to safely operate your vehicle
Pass required physical exam 2a

4. General driver qualification
Have valid motor vehicle operator’s license
Provide employer with list of violations over past 12 months
Are not disqualified to drive a CMV
Passed a road test 2b

5. General driver qualification
Can determine whether cargo is properly loaded, distributed, and secured
Are familiar with methods and procedures for securing cargo (both goods and passengers) 2c

6. Physical qualifications
Must pass a physical exam
Must carry a certificate signed by a medical examiner stating you are physically qualified
Employer must keep a copy of certificate in driver qualification file 3a

7. Physical qualifications
You are not qualified if you have:
Lost a foot, leg, hand, or arm
An impairment of a hand, finger, arm, foot, or leg which interferes with your ability to perform normal tasks associated with driving a CMV
Diabetes requiring insulin for control 3b

8. Physical qualifications
You are not qualified if you have:
Heart disease, which causes you chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath
Chest or breathing problems like chronic asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis
High blood pressure likely to interfere with driving 3c

9. Physical qualifications
You are not qualified if you have:
Loss of movement or feeling in part of your body
Any sickness which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV
Any mental problems likely to interfere with your ability to drive a CMV safely 3d

10. Physical qualifications
You are not qualified if you have:
Poor vision that affects your ability to see objects that are far away, objects to the side, or traffic signal colors
Poor hearing 3e

11. Physical qualifications
You are not qualified if you have:
Used certain drugs (unless prescribed by a doctor who has advised you that use will not adversely affect your ability to safely operate a CMV)
A current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism 3f

12. Driver disqualification (§391.15)
You are disqualified if convicted of any of the following while operating a CMV:
Driving with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more
Driving under the influence of alcohol as prescribed by state law
Refusing to undergo alcohol testing 4a

13. Driver disqualification (§391.15)
You are disqualified if convicted of any of the following while operating a CMV:
Operating under the influence of a controlled substance
Transporting, possessing, or unlawfully using drugs
Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV
Committing a felony involving a CMV 4b

14. Driver disqualification (§391.15)
Disqualification period ranges from 6 months to 3 years depending on severity of the offense 4c

15. Driver disqualification (§391.15)
Violating an out-of-service order disqualifies you for 90 days to 5 years
Penalties are more severe for drivers of vehicles carrying passengers or hazardous materials 4d

16. Driver disqualification (§383.51)
Drivers who hold a CDL can be disqualified for certain offenses committed in any type of vehicle 4e

17. General Wellness Eat right Exercise regularly Get proper rest
Undergo periodic physical exams 5a

18. Cholesterol and blood pressure
LDL = Bad cholesterol
HDL = Good cholesterol 6a

19. Cholesterol and blood pressure
Total cholesterol < 200
LDL< 130
HDL > 50 6b

20. Cholesterol and blood pressure
High blood pressure is dangerous
Can lead to heart and kidney disease 6c

21. Cholesterol and blood pressure
Blood pressure should be < 140/90 6d

22. Weight and exercise
Being overweight contributes to many health problems
Eating right and physical activity can help in maintaining a healthy weight 7a

23. Weight and exercise Eating right includes:
At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
Watching fat consumption
Moderating sugar and salt intake
Limiting alcohol use 7b

24. Weight and exercise
Moderate physical activity for 30 minutes daily can improve well being 7c

25. Weight and exercise Moderate physical activity includes:
Walking briskly
Conditioning
General calisthenics 7d

26. Weight and exercise
Consult with your physician before starting any program 7e

27. Alcohol and drug abuse Reduces coordination Slows reaction rates
Dulls mental processes 8a

28. Stress
A physical or mental response to pressures of an event or factors of living in general
Can be positive or negative
Causes the body to get into survival mode 9a

29. Stress Prolonged stress can cause: High blood pressure Pain
Breathing trouble
Digestive disorders
Insomnia
Fatigue 9b

30. Stress Prolonged stress can cause: Frustration Irritability Anger
Impatience
Worry
Lack of self confidence 9c

31. Stress Prolonged stress can lead to: Accidents Loss of priorities
Rushing
Inappropriate behavior 9d

32. Stress Stress-reduction techniques include: Breaks Exercise
Proper rest and diet
Deep breathing/yoga
Having fun
Talking to a friend 9e

33. Fatigue Ranges from sleepy to exhausted
Can cause involuntary brain shutdown
Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep
10a

34. Fatigue Sleep loss of as little as 2 hours can affect: Judgment
Reaction time
Coordination
Attitude/mood
10b

35. Fatigue Circadian rhythm = Body’s internal clock
Most people’s clocks run on a 24-hour basis with high and low points
Disruption of the clock can lead to fatigue
10c

36. Fatigue Signs of fatigue: Drowsiness Yawning Lack of alertness
Fighting to keep eyes open
10d

37. Fatigue Signs of fatigue: Head drooping Sore/stiff neck muscles
Reduced reaction time
10e

38. Fatigue Signs of fatigue: Erratic shifting Intermittent braking
Following vehicles too closely
Bad driving decisions
Lane deviations/weaving
10f

39. Fatigue Ways to fight fatigue: Get a solid 8 hours of sleep
Establish a regular sleep routine
Avoid driving during body’s “down time”
Exercise regularly
Eat properly
Take a nap
10g

40. Fatigue Good sleeping habits Sleep in a quiet, dark room
Keep sleeping area comfortable
Have a bedtime routine
10h

41. Fatigue Sleep apnea Brief interruptions in breathing
Wakes person so briefly he/she doesn’t know it happened
Can repeat up to 600 times a night causing increased fatigue
10i

42. Hours of service (property-carrying)
11-hour driving rule
All time behind the wheel is driving time
Must have 10 consecutive hours of rest after 11 hours of driving time
11a

43. Hours of service (property-carrying)
14-hour rule
May not drive after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
Must have 10 consecutive hours of rest
11b

44. Hours of service (property-carrying)
60-hour/7-day and 70-hour/8-day limit
A driver cannot drive after having been on duty for 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in any 8 consecutive days
11c

45. Hours of service (property-carrying)
A driver may do non-driving work after reaching the 60/70 hour limit, but the hours must be added to the total
11d

46. Hours of service (property-carrying)
34-hour restart
Any period of 7/8 days may end with the start of a 34-hour off-duty period
Can only be used if 60/70-hour limit has not been exceeded
11d

47. Hours of service (property-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Graph grid with a remarks section
Date
Total miles driven today
Truck or tractor and trailer number
11e

48. Hours of service (property-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Carrier’s name
24-hour period starting time
Driver’s signature/ certification
Main office address
11f

49. Hours of service (property-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Co-driver’s name (if applicable)
Total hours in each duty status
11g

50. Hours of service (property-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Shipping document number(s) or shipper name and commodity
11h

51. Hours of service (property-carrying)
Log keeping responsibilities
Entries must be current
Entries must be legible/in driver’s own handwriting
11i

52. Hours of service (property-carrying)
Record retention
Original record of duty status must be submitted to the carrier within 13 days
Keep a copy of each record for the previous 7 consecutive days in your possession and available for inspection while on duty
Carrier must keep records of duty status and all supporting documents for 6 months
11j

53. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
10-hour driving rule
All time behind the wheel is driving time
Must have 8 consecutive hours of rest after 10 hours driving time
12a

54. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
15-hour on-duty rule
May not drive after being on duty 15 hours
Must have 8 consecutive hours of rest
12b

55. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
60-hour/7-day and 70-hour/8-day limit
A driver cannot drive after having been on duty for 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in any 8 consecutive days
A driver may do non-driving work after reaching the limit, but the hours must be added to the total
12c

56. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Graph grid with a remarks section
Date
Total miles driven today
Truck or tractor and trailer number
12d

57. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Carrier’s name
24-hour period starting time
Driver’s signature/ certification
Main office address
12e

58. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Co-driver’s name (if applicable)
Total hours in each duty status
12f

59. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
Record of duty status
Must include:
Shipping document number(s) or shipper name and commodity
12g

60. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
Log keeping responsibilities
Entries must be current
Entries must be legible/in driver’s own handwriting
12h

61. Hours of service (passenger-carrying)
Record retention
Original record of duty status must be submitted to the carrier within 13 days
Keep a copy of each record for the previous 7 consecutive days in your possession and available for inspection while on duty
Carrier must keep records of duty status and all supporting documents for 6 months
12i

62. Whistleblower protection
Protect you from retaliation if you :
Report a CMV safety violation to FMCSA
Testify before FMCSA
Refuse to operate an unsafe vehicle
Refuse to drive in conditions that may cause injury or violate law
13a

63. Whistleblower protection
Prohibits your employer from discharging, disciplining, or discriminating in regard to pay, terms or privileges for taking any one of the following actions
13b

64. Whistleblower protection
Filing a complaint related to the violation of a CMV safety regulation
Starting a proceeding related to a violation of a CMV regulation
Having testified in or testifying in the future in a proceeding related to a CMV safety violation
13c

65. Whistleblower protection
Refusing to operate a CMV due to one of the following reasons:
You would have violated a federal safety or health regulation.
You believe you would have seriously injured yourself or someone else had you operated an unsafe vehicle. You asked your employer to correct the unsafe condition, but your employer refused.
13d

66. Whistleblower protection
If you make a CMV safety complaint and it results in any form of discrimination (termination, loss of seniority, undesirable reassignment, etc.) you can file a complaint with OSHA
13e

67. Whistleblower protection
OSHA will gather data and give your employer 20 days to respond
Then, if OSHA believes the violation is valid they will continue to pursue the case until the situation is resolved
13f