Hours of Service

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Who Must Comply?

Most drivers must follow the HOS Regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV.

In general, a CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions:

  • Weighs 10,001 pounds or more

  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more

  • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation

  • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation

  • Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards

Hours of Service Final Rule for Truck Drivers

The Hours of Service of Drivers Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2011. The effective date of the Final Rule was February 27, 2012, and the compliance date of remaining provisions was July 1, 2013.

 

NOTICE: The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 was enacted on December 16, 2014, suspending enforcement of requirements for use of the 34-hour restart. Enforcement of these requirements will remain suspended until the Secretary submits the CMV Driver Restart Study final report to Congress. For more information, see FMCSA’s Federal Register notice: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/hours-service-drivers.

The Meat Behind the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

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A few weeks ago, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) announced it is establishing the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse).

This new database will contain information pertaining to violations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) controlled substances (drug) and alcohol testing program for holders of commercial drivers licenses (CLDs).

The Clearinghouse rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers, Medical Review Officers (MROs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs), consortia/third party administrators (C/TPAs), and other service agents to report to the Clearinghouse information related to violations of the drug and alcohol regulations in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, parts 40 and 382 by current and prospective employees.

The Clearinghouse will also require the following:

  • Employers will be required to query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees’ drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads.
  • Employers will be required to annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.
  • State driver licensing agencies will be required to query the Clearinghouse whenever a CDL is issued, renewed, transferred or upgraded.

The Clearinghouse will provide FMCSA and employers the necessary tools to identify drivers who are prohibited from operating a CMV based on DOT drug and alcohol program violations and ensure that such drivers receive the required evaluation and treatment before operating a CMV on public roads.

Specifically, information maintained in the Clearinghouse will enable employers to identify drivers who commit a drug or alcohol program violation while working for one employer, but who fail to subsequently inform another employer (as required by current regulations).

Records of drug and alcohol program violations will remain in the Clearinghouse for five years, or until the driver has completed the return-to-duty process, whichever is later.

In 2012, Congress directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish a national Clearinghouse containing CMV operators’ violations of FMCSA’s drug and alcohol testing program in Section 32402 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This rule implements that mandate and also responds to earlier recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board.

This information collection supports the DOT Strategic Goal of Safety by ensuring that drivers are qualified to operate trucks and buses on our nation’s highways.

THE REGULATORY LANDSCAPE WIDENS

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RECENT REGULATIONS IN EFFECT

SELF-CERTIFICATION: January 30, 2014 Effective Date Background: As of Jan. 30, 2014, all commercial driver license (CDL) holders in the U.S. must self-certify (formally disclose) to the State Licensing Agency (DMV) what type of work he or she does, using one of the following four categories:

•  Non-Excepted Interstate: Driver is engaged in RECENT REGULATIONS IN EFFECT SELF-CERTIFICATION: January 30, 2014 Effective Date Background: As of Jan. 30, 2014, all commercial driver license (CDL) holders in the U.S. must self-certify (formally disclose) to the State Licensing Agency (DMV) what type of work he or she does, using one of the following four categories:

• Non-Excepted Interstate: Driver is engaged in interstate commerce and must meet the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card requirements

• Excepted Interstate: Driver is engaged in interstate commerce and does not have to meet the DOT medical card requirements • Non-Excepted Intrastate: Driver is engaged in intrastate commerce and must meet state driver qualification requirements

• Excepted Intrastate: Driver is engaged in intrastate commerce and does not have to meet the DOT medical card requirements Drivers who work in interstate commerce will also need to provide a medical certification (DOT physical) to prove they are qualified to drive. Failure to present valid medical documentation will result in the denial of the issuance or renewal of the CDL.

Impact: Any driver who is not currently self-certified or fails to bring their newest medical certification to the DMV will have his or her CDL downgraded to non-CDL status, putting them out of commission until resolved.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

Final rule published October 12, 2016 Background: In recognition of the truck driver training received while serving our country, the federal government is looking to ease the transition of military members into civilian careers by reducing onerous paperwork and simplifying the licensing process.

The proposal includes:

• Extending the time period for applying for a skills test waiver from 90 days to 1 year for   recently separated military

• Requires states to accept the military commercial vehicle license of certain military   personnel in exchange for a CDL

• Allowing active duty military members to apply for their Commercial Learner’s Permit   (CLP) or CDL in their current state of residence with the CLP or CDL being issued by  their state of domicile

Impact: This process has been placed in a temporary exemption since 2014, and the final rule  made it permanent.

Call us today if you have any questions!

The Six Levels of DOT Inspections

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The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all commercial motor vehicles (CMV) with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,001 pounds undergo an inspection every year. A DOT inspection is conducted in order to make sure that all parts and accessories of the CMV are in good working order.  There are six levels of this safety analysis, which simply refers to the methods that will be employed during the assessment of a vehicle and the driver. They include:

1) Level I: North American Standard Inspection

This part of the check looks at important documents such as at the vehicle operator’s driver license, medical certificate and waiver and hours of service. The professional conducting the evaluation will also inspect the seat belt, exhaust system, turn signals, tail lamps, head lamps, steering wheel, wheels and rims and fuel system.

2) Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection

Level II inspections involve examining everything in the level I inspection with exception of the parts that involve the inspector getting under the CMV.

3) Level III: Driver-Only Inspection

During this check, the inspector will take an in-depth look at the vehicle operator’s driver’s license, medical certification and daily log.

4) Level IV: Special Inspection

These are one-time examinations that take a close look at a specific item. They are typically scheduled to invalidate a previous claim about a vehicle.

5) Level V: Vehicle-Only Inspection

Level V inspections look at everything specified under Level I. The only difference is that they are executed without the driver present.

6) Level VI: Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments

This inspection is used for certain radiological shipments. Select radiological shipments only comprise highway route controlled quantities set forth by DOT’s title 49 section 173.403.

Why We Started Our Own Truck School-My Story

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First let me start off by saying besides starting a newspaper route when I was 9 years old selling the Aurora Sentinel, I haven’t started nothing else besides lots of trouble. So starting a Truck School from the ground up, leads to a word that we use often, TERRICITED, a cross between terrified and excited at the same time. Lately it’s been more terrified. Let me give you a brief narrative before I move into why I/we started the Truck School…

I spent years in customer service oriented jobs, some fulfilling, some not.  One of the coolest jobs I had was teaching a program for the Colorado State Patrol, called “Alive at 25”. A course designed for 15-25-year old’s that are either court ordered because they can’t pay attention to traffic laws, or someone that wants to get their learners permit. Nonetheless, it teaches safe driving techniques, distracted driving, the outcomes of bad decision making and so on. We got to share real stories of what happens when you make bad decisions behind the wheel, and share experiences of personal outcomes of my calls as a Sheriff Deputy responding to an accident because someone made a bad decision behind the wheel. And at the completion of the classes hoping you made a difference in someone’s life.

So, from there I got an opportunity to go to work for a up and coming Truck School, I was hired on to teach Defensive Driving, they sent me to Ok,TX,ND and Utah. I knew nothing about Big Rigs or a CDL, heck I didn’t even have a CDL until about 5 months ago and to this day I only have a CDL B so I can only drive straight trucks or bus’s. (no laughing). But for 6 years I watched and learned. I ended up running the business, all the day to day. I learned what to do, what not to do. I taught our people that they weren’t students, they were customers/real people, that had feelings. The old Truck School mentality had to go, as hard as it was to do, we did it. Every day at every shift change (every 2 hours) myself and staff would personally go outside rain or snow and greet the customers, shake hands, ask how they are. Thank them for coming. We built our name. There is nothing more fulfilling than a big hug when a customer graduates.

It’s my/our time now. We get to make a difference in the trucking world, share our experience’s. The good Lord gave us this chance, everything fell into place in this little bitty town 10 minutes from Denver where everyone says Hi and waves.

Michael Euglow
CEO/Owner
Pacific Coast CDL
www.pacificcoastcdl.com
303-222-4465

Types of a Commercial Driver’s License

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Types of a Commercial Drivers License – Pacific Coast CDLDL.COM

Class A – combination vehicles – consists of any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds

Class B – straight trucks and light combinations – consists of any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle which does not have a GVWR in excess of 10,000 pounds

Class C – single vehicles less than 26,001 GVWR – consists of any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that do not meet the definition of a Class A or B commercial vehicle, but that transports 16 or more passengers (including the driver) OR is placarded for transportation of hazardous materials

  Colorado Fee’s attached to your CDL

Commercial Driver License           $15.50

Instruction Permit                           $16.80

Duplicate License                            $9.00

Duplicate Permit                              $9.00

Subsequent Duplicate License      $16.00

Subsequent Duplicate Permit        $16.00

CDLs are valid for 4 years

CDL Pre Trip Videos (Part One)

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The Pretrip Inspection is one of the tougher parts of passing the CDL exam at truck driving school because there is a lot of memorization involved. The purpose of the Pretrip Inspection is to be able to do a thorough safety inspection on a commercial vehicle before heading out onto the highway.

Check out our Pre Trip Form

How Do I Get a CDL in Colorado?

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Welcome to the next step of your future! Get a CDL, Get a JOB!

#1 Get Your CDL Permit. To get started, you’ll first need to obtain a CDL Permit for $14 at your local DMV. …

#2 – Schedule Appointment. at   www.pacificcoastcdl.com

#3 – Take a course at www.commercialvehicletrainingcenter.com.

CDL General Information

You must have a valid CDL to operate:

  • Any commercial motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
  • Any commercial vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.
  • Any vehicle transporting hazardous material and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F.

What exactly do I need to obtain a CDL?  Call us at 303-222-4465

You will need:

  • Valid driver license from Colorado or another state or a commercial permit
  • Current DOT medical card – find a FMCSA Certified Medical Examiner in your area
  • Your Social Security number
  • Commercial drive skills test completion form
  • If you want to add a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL, you will need to successfully pass the HAZMAT written exam and provide a current TSA background check every time you purchase a CDL.