Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 14 - AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION
Sub-Agency 050 - MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT
Chapter 038 - COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE PROGRAM
Section 14 050 038 - COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE PROGRAM

Universal Citation: VT Code of Rules 14 050 038

Current through August, 2024

Administrative Procedure

Department of Motor Vehicles

Commercial Driver License Program

23 V.S.A. Section 4108(d) (i)

Skill Test Waivers

A commercial motor vehicle operator may be waived from the driving skill test requirements of the Commercial Driver License (CDL) exam. A waiver of the skill test may be granted provided the requirements of Section 383.77 of the Federal Motor Safety Regulations (FMCSR's) are met. These requirements include the following:

An applicant must certify that, during the two-year period immediately prior to applying for a CDL, he/she:

a. Has not had more than one license except in the instances specified in Section 383.21(b) of the FMCSR's;

b. Has not had any license suspended, revoked, or canceled;

c. Has not had any convictions for the disqualification offenses contained in Section 383.51 of the FMCSR's. However, for offenses defined as "serious traffic violations" the disqualification offense involves two or more convictions. Convictions for offenses in any type of motor vehicle must be considered; and

d. Has not had any violation of State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than a parking violation) arising in connection with any traffic accident, and has no record of an accident in which he/she was at fault: and

e. An applicant must provide evidence and certify that he/she is regularly employed in a job requiring operation of a CMV, and that either:

1. He/she has previously taken and passed a skills test given by the State with a classified licensing and testing system, and that the test was behind-the-wheel in a representative vehicle for that applicant's driver's license classification; or

2. He/she has operated, for at least 2 years immediately preceding application for CDL, a vehicle representative of the commercial motor vehicle the driver applicant operates or expects to operate.

The above requirements for waiver of the skill test portion of the Commercial Driver License program apply to both the pre-trip inspection and the on-road driving segments of the skills test. The waiver would also apply to any off road basic skills test that the State may choose to incorporate into its skill testing.

Commercial Driver License Endorsements

In addition to taking and passing the knowledge and skills tests necessary to obtain a commercial class license (A,B, or C), commercial vehicle operators must also obtain endorsements on their license to operate certain specialized motor vehicles. These vehicle types, for which special testing is required, are as follows:

1) Double/Triple trailers;

2) Tank vehicles;

3) Passenger vehicles;

4) Vehicles required to be placarded for Hazardous Materials.

The following tests and passing scores are required for each endorsement listed above:

1) Double/Triple Trailers - The applicant must take a twenty (20) question knowledge test. An 80% passing grade, sixteen (16) of the twenty (20) questions answered correctly, is required before the endorsement can be issued.

2) Tank Vehicles - The applicant must take a twenty (20) question knowledge test. An 80% passing grade, sixteen (16) of the twenty (20) questions answered correctly, is required before the endorsement can be issued.

3) Passenger Vehicles - The applicant must take a twenty (20) question knowledge test. An 80% passing grade, sixteen (16) of the twenty (20) questions answered correctly, is required for passage of the knowledge test. The applicant must also satisfactorily complete a skills test consisting of a pre-trip inspection, and an on road driving exam. The Commissioner may also add an off road basic skills component to the skill test requirements. The skills test must be taken in a vehicle representative of the class of vehicle that their passenger operation will be in. The skills tests requirements can be waived if the applicant meets the "grandfathering" criteria established by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

4) Hazardous Materials- The applicant must take a thirty (30) question knowledge test. An 80% passing grade, twenty-four (24) of the thirty (30) questions answered correctly, is required before the endorsement can be issued.

Knowledge and Skill Test Standards for a Commercial Driver's License

(a) General Knowledge Test - Each applicant for a Commercial Driver's License must take a General Knowledge test. This test consists of fifty (50) questions with a passing grade of 80% required. Additionally, applicants for a Class A license must take a twenty (20) question combination vehicle test. A passing grade of 80% is required on this exam as well.

Oral examination will be given in those cases where the applicants have problems or difficulties reading and writing English.

B. Skills Tests
1. Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test

The examiner will evaluate an applicant's ability to conduct a safety inspection of their vehicle.

As the applicant inspects the vehicle, the examiner will use the prescribed scoring sheet to indicate which inspection items were properly inspected. During the inspection, the applicant will be permitted to use the Vehicle Inspection Memory Aid from the driver's manual if so desired.

When the vehicle inspection is complete, the examiner will total the number of correctly inspected items, compare them to the CDL Performance Test Passing Scores sheet, and determine if the applicant has passed this portion of the skills test.

2. Basic Control Skills Test

The examiner will evaluate an applicant's basic skill in controlling a vehicle and judging its position in relation to other objects.

The applicant's ability to maintain control of the vehicle will be evaluated during the execution of the following maneuvers;

a. straight line backing

b. forward through offset alley

c. conventional parallel park

d. alley dock

Passenger (bus) vehicles and school buses will be administered a bus turn around instead of the alley dock maneuver.

All maneuvers must be successfully completed to pass the Basic Control Skills portion of the skills test.

3. Skill Test

The examiners administering the skill test component of the Commercial Driver License exams will reject an applicant who accumulates more than twenty-five (25) demerits on the skill test rating form. An immediate rejection will occur whenever the applicant violates any section of the Vermont Statutes or a local ordinance pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle. Furthermore a mandatory rejection will occur whenever, in the examiner's judgement, the operator performs a dangerous action on the roadway or the examiner is forced to physically or orally take over control of the vehicle. Whenever a vehicle is found to have defective equipment the examiner may terminate the road test.

Statutory Authority: 23 V.S.A. § 4108

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Vermont may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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