DELAWARE ANNOUNCES NEW CDL TESTING PROCEDURES
February 23, 2004
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles would like to share important information about its testing program for the commercial driver's license.
Beginning March 1, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles will implement a pilot CDL testing program which has been approved by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration. Delaware is one of three states that will use the new program to test applicants for the commercial driver's license. The sections which have changed in the commercial criver's manual are sections 10, 11 and 12.
These sections relate to pre-trip vehicle inspections, skills tests and on-road driving tests. There are no changes at this time to the computer-generated tests related to general knowledge and CDL endorsements.
To assist those who plan to take their road tests on or after March 1, the Division of Motor Vehicles has prepared an insert to the CDL manual which contains the three revised chapters. Individuals may obtain a free copy at any DMV location.
One area of change relates to the CDL pre-trip inspection of Class A and Class B vehicles. Every applicant will be tested on an engine start and an in-cab inspection. Applicants for the Class A license will also be asked to inspect the coupling system. Following these basic requirements, Class A and Class B applicants will then be asked to either fully inspect the rest of the vehicle or to inspect only a portion of the vehicle as specified by the examiner.
Another area of change is in the Basic Control Skills Test. Two new maneuvers have been added -- the "Offset back/right" and "Offset back/left" maneuvers. These are described in Figures 11-5 and 11-6 in the revised sections of the CDL manual. Each applicant will be asked to perform only three of the vehicle control skills described in Section 11 as specified by the examiner. A new benefit is that an applicant will be permitted to take two free pull-ups and two free looks for each skill that he or she is asked to perform.
If you have any questions or comments about the test, please contact the Division of Motor Vehicles at any of the following numbers: New Castle, (302) 326-5005; Wilmington, (302) 434-3204; Georgetown, (302) 853-1020 or Dover, (302) 744-2505.
Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles
