Chapter 11
Driver Qualification Rules
No carrier shall require or permit an unqualified driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A carrier in Utah is subject to the rules for driver qualifications if it operates vehicles that are:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
- Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
- Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
- Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, Chapter I, subchapter C.
EXCEPTION
49 CFR 391.2
The Driver Qualification rules do not apply to a driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle controlled and operated by a person engaged in custom-harvesting operations, if the commercial motor vehicle is:
- Used to transport farm machinery, supplies or both to or from a farm for custom-harvesting operations on a farm; or
- Used to transport custom-harvested crops to storage or market.
- Used for intrastate non-business passenger carrying with license having a school bus endorsement
- Aparian industries (beekeeper)
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Under the Driver Qualification rules, a driver must:
- Be at least 18 years old when engaged in intrastate transportation, or 21 years old if hauling hazardous materials.
- Be at least 21 years old when engaged in interstate transportation.
- Speak and read English sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.
- Meet the physical qualification as set forth in 49 CFR 391 subpart E.
- Be able to drive the vehicle safely.
- Have a driver's license that is valid for the type of vehicle driven.
- Not be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR DRIVERS
49 CFR 391.41 and 391.43
A person is not allowed to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless physically qualified to do so and carries in his or her possession a current, valid copy of a medical examiner's certificate (medical card) showing they are qualified. The medical examiner's certificate is INCLUDED in CDLs from Canada and Mexico (not a separate card). The medical exam and certification must follow the criteria specified by the USDOT, as listed under 49 CFR 391.43.
In general, a person is physically qualified if they:
- Have no loss of a foot, hand, or arm.
- Have no history of diabetes mellitus requiring insulin for control.
- Have no history of epilepsy or any other condition likely to cause unconsciousness.
- Have no current diagnosis of heart disease or respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere with controlling a CMV.
- Have no muscular, neuromuscular, vascular, mental, or other organic or functional disease, which would interfere with their ability to operate a CMV safely.
- Have a visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses.
- Do not have a hearing loss that prevents them from hearing a forced whisper from 5 feet.
- Do not use a controlled substance, amphetamines, narcotics, or other habit-forming drugs.
- Have no current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.
Chapter 11
Driver Qualification Rules
No carrier shall require or permit an unqualified driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A carrier in Utah is subject to the rules for driver qualifications if it operates vehicles that are:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
- Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
- Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
- Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, Chapter I, subchapter C.
EXCEPTION
49 CFR 391.2
The Driver Qualification rules do not apply to a driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle controlled and operated by a person engaged in custom-harvesting operations, if the commercial motor vehicle is:
- Used to transport farm machinery, supplies or both to or from a farm for custom-harvesting operations on a farm; or
- Used to transport custom-harvested crops to storage or market.
- Used for intrastate non-business passenger carrying with license having a school bus endorsement
- Aparian industries (beekeeper)
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Under the Driver Qualification rules, a driver must:
- Be at least 18 years old when engaged in intrastate transportation, or 21 years old if hauling hazardous materials.
- Be at least 21 years old when engaged in interstate transportation.
- Speak and read English sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.
- Meet the physical qualification as set forth in 49 CFR 391 subpart E.
- Be able to drive the vehicle safely.
- Have a driver's license that is valid for the type of vehicle driven.
- Not be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR DRIVERS
49 CFR 391.41 and 391.43
A person is not allowed to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless physically qualified to do so and carries in his or her possession a current, valid copy of a medical examiner's certificate (medical card) showing they are qualified. The medical examiner's certificate is INCLUDED in CDLs from Canada and Mexico (not a separate card). The medical exam and certification must follow the criteria specified by the USDOT, as listed under 49 CFR 391.43.
In general, a person is physically qualified if they:
- Have no loss of a foot, hand, or arm.
- Have no history of diabetes mellitus requiring insulin for control.
- Have no history of epilepsy or any other condition likely to cause unconsciousness.
- Have no current diagnosis of heart disease or respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere with controlling a CMV.
- Have no muscular, neuromuscular, vascular, mental, or other organic or functional disease, which would interfere with their ability to operate a CMV safely.
- Have a visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses.
- Do not have a hearing loss that prevents them from hearing a forced whisper from 5 feet.
- Do not use a controlled substance, amphetamines, narcotics, or other habit-forming drugs.
- Have no current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.
DOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE RENEWAL
A medical certificate must be renewed every two years. Some medical conditions may require more frequent medial certification. The medical certification forms are available from physicians or clinics who perform DOT physicals, the Utah Trucking Association, or click here.
FEDERAL WAIVER EXEMPTIONS
Utah law requires all applicants for a CDL to provide a current Federal DOT Medical Card. For further CDL requirements, visit the Utah Driver License Division web site: http://www.driverlicense.utah.gov/.
CDL Federal Waiver Exemptions must accompany the DOT medical card for interstate privileges.
You may apply for a Federal Exemption for one of the following conditions:
- Diabetes (when controlled by insulin)
- Vision (Prior 3 yrs CDL Intrastate required)
- Missing/Impaired limbs - SPE Certificate
To print applications for the above-listed Federal Exemptions, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov. Locate the "Medical Program" link, then find "Forms" to download and print the specific application.
For questions regarding the Federal Vision or Diabetes Exemption call (703) 448-3094 or fax: (703) 448-3077; or mail to: Federal Vision & Diabetes Exemptions, MC-PSP Division 400 Seventh Street SW, Room 8301 Washington, DC 20590-0001
For questions regarding the Federal SPE Certificate (Skill Performance Evaluation) contact:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Attention: Esther Oatis Southern Service Center Atlanta Federal Center 1800 Century Boulevard N.E. Atlanta, GA 30345-3220 Telephone (404) 327-7400 or Fax (404) 327-7359
UTAH COMMERCIAL INTRASTATE MEDICAL WAIVER PROGRAM
Commercial Medical Waiver Program Intrastate Only "K" Restriction Valid in the State of Utah Only. Effective July 1, 1997, the Federal Highway Administration and the Utah Legislature authorized the State of Utah to conduct a medical waiver program for those individuals who currently hold, or desire to obtain, a commercial driver license, but don't meet the Federal Guidelines for a Federal DOT Medical Card UCA 53-3-303.5.
The medical conditions that would fall under this waiver program include:
- Diabetes - when controlled by insulin
- Pulmonary - when using steroids other than inhaler
- Neurological - slight impairment but able to control equipment
- Any history of seizures
- Vision - anyone with amblyopia, but with good central vision in one eye, with good peripheral vision in both eyes
- Psychiatric - depending on medications and control
- Alcohol and other drug problems
- Hearing
This Utah medical waiver program allows commercial driving within the State of Utah only (intrastate) under certain medical circumstances. Medical certification is indicated by a "K" restriction on the license, and a current State of Utah Intrastate Medical Waiver Card.
If you would like more information regarding Utah's Medical Program, you may refer to http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dld/med_standards.html, or by telephoning our Customer Service Section at (801) 965-4437.
The DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate and the Federal Waiver Exemption document must be in the driver's possession while operating a commercial motor vehicle to drive across state lines.
DRIVER QUALIFICATION FILE - DQ FILE
49 CFR 391.51
A carrier must maintain a DQ file for each of its drivers. The DQ files are to be kept for as long as the driver is employed by the carrier and for three years thereafter.
The following items are required in a DQ file:
- The driver's application for employment.
- A written record of investigation (preceding three years) of past employers contacted to verify applicant's previous employment.
- A response from a state agency about employee's driving record from the past three years (if a driver held a driver's license in multiple states, each state must be contacted).
- The driver's certificate of road test (a legible photocopy of a valid commercial driver's license is an acceptable substitute if the driver was road tested for the class of vehicle the driver will operate).
- A response from each state agency to the annual driving record inquiry.
- An annual review of driver record showing a date of review and who performed the review.
- An annual list or certificate relating to violations of motor vehicle laws.
- The driver's medical examiners certificate.
- The driver's medical waiver, if one has been granted.
Driver qualification file documents are available online at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/eta/index.htm. Medical examiner certificates are often supplied by the medical examiners performing the physical. In addition, these forms can be obtained from private sources such as the Utah Trucking Association at (801) 973-9370, the American Trucking Association at (800) 282-5463, and J. J. Keller at (877) 564-2333 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For further information regarding Driver Qualification File Requirements contact the Motor Carrier Division at (801) 965-4892.
