You must have a CDL to operate ?

• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A combination with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, if the trailer(s) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds.
• A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver).
• Any size vehicle that is used in the transportation of any material that requires hazardous materials placards or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73.

The following are exempt from the CDL requirements

• United States Department of Defense
• Active Duty Military
• Reserves and national guard on active duty including personnel on full-time national guard duty
• National guard military technicians and civilians who are required to wear military uniforms
• Farmer, including operation by employees or family members
• Firefighting and emergency vehicles
• POV

CDL Vehicle Groups

Class A – Combination Vehicle with GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more falls in Group A, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs

Class B- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more or any vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lbs- straight trucks and large buses, including articulated buses

Class C – Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 lbs or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lbs

Utah CDL Applicants Requirements

• Driver License, (with a minimum of one-year experience as a license driver)
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security card (metal cards are not permitted)
• Proof of Identity and Legal/Lawful Presence in the United States, and their DOT medical card

There are Three Types of General Skills that will be Tested

• Pre-Trip Inspection
• Basic Vehicle Control
• On-Road Driving

Utah offers the following endorsements that can be added to your CDL, designated on your license by the letter next to the endorsement

• Passenger (P)
• School Bus (S)
• Hazardous Materials (H)
• Tank Vehicles (N)
• Double/Triples (T)
• Tanker/Hazardous Materials (X)
• Motorcycle (M)
• Taxi (Z)

You will be denied or lose your hazardous materials endorsement if you

• Are not a lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Renounce your United States citizenship
• Are wanted or under indictment for certain felonies
• Have a conviction in military or civilian court for certain felonies
• Have been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution
• Are considered to pose a security threat as determined by the Transportation Security Administration

The restrictions that can be placed on a Utah CDL are

• "L" which restricts the driver to driving a commercial motor vehicle not equipped with air brakes.
• "K" which restricts the driver to driving intrastate only any commercial motor vehicle.
• "J" which restricts the driver for any other CDL restriction deemed necessary by the Division

It is illegal to operate a CMV if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is

.04% or more

You will lose your CDL for at least one year for a first offense for

• Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, a controlled substance.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in your blood, breath, or urine is .04 grams or more.
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving a motor vehicle you were driving.
• Failing to provide reasonable assistance or identification when involved in an accident resulting in death or personal injury.
• Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony.
• Refusal to submit to a test to determine the BAC of your blood, breath, or urine.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle while your CDL is disqualified, suspended, revoked, or canceled.
• Operating a commercial motor vehicle in a negligent manner causing the death of another including the offenses of automobile homicide, manslaughter, or negligent homicide.

You will lose your CDL for at least three years if

The offense occurs while you are operating a CMV that is placard for hazardous materials

You will lose your CDL for life for

• A second offense occurs
• Use a CMV to commit a felony involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance

Serious traffic violations include

• Speeding 15 or more MPH over the posted speed limit
• Reckless driving
• Improper or erratic lane changes
• Following the vehicle ahead too closely
• Any other motor vehicle traffic law which arises in connection with a fatal traffic accident
• Operating a CMV without a CDL or CDIP
• Operating a CMV without the proper class of CDL or endorsement for the type of vehicle group being operated or for the passengers or cargo being transported
• Operating a CMV without a CDL or CDIP in the driver’s possession

You will lose your CDL for

• At least 60 days if you have committed two serious traffic violations within a three-year period involving the use or operation of a CMV.
• At least 120 days for three serious traffic violations within a three-year period involving the use or operation of a CMV

Violation of Out-of-Service Orders

You will lose your CDL

• For at least 180 days if you have committed one violation of an out-of-service order.
• For at least two years if you have committed two out-of-service violation orders in a ten-year period.
• For at least three years if you have committed three or more out-of-service violation orders in a ten-year period

Railroad-highway Grade Crossing Violations

You will lose your CDL

• For at least 60 days for your first violation
• For at least 120 days for your second violation within any three-year period
• For at least one year for your third violation within any three-year period

There are six offenses at a railroad-highway crossing that violates federal, state, and local laws  

• For drivers who are not required to always stop - failing to stop before reaching the crossing if the tracks are not clear.
• For drivers who are not required to always stop - failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear of an approaching train.
• For drivers who are always required to stop - failing to stop before driving onto the crossing.
• For all drivers failing to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.
• For all drivers failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official at the crossing.
• For all drivers failing to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance

Other CDL Rules

There are other federal and state rules that affect drivers operating CMVs in all states. Among them are

• You cannot have more than one license. If you break this rule, a court may fine you up to $5,000 or put you in jail and keep your home state license and return any others.
• You must notify your employer within 30 days of conviction for any traffic violations (except parking). This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.
• You must notify your driver license agency within 30 days if you are convicted in any other jurisdiction of any traffic violation (except parking). This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.
• You must notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified.
• You must give your employer information on all driving jobs you have held for the past 10 years.
• No one can drive a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL or CDIP.
• If you have a hazardous materials endorsement you must notify and surrender your hazmat endorsement to the state that issued your CDL within 24 hours of any conviction or indictment in any jurisdiction, civilian or military, for, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a disqualifying crime listed in 49 CFR 1572.103; who is adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution as specified in 49 CFR 1572.109; or who renounces his or her U.S. citizenship.
• Your employer may not let you drive a commercial motor vehicle if you have more than one license or if your CDL is suspended or revoked.
• All states are connected to one computerized system to share information about CDL drivers. The states will check on drivers' accident records to be sure that drivers do not have more than one CDL

During a Trip

Check critical items when you stop

• Tires, wheels and rims.
• Brakes.
• Lights and reflectors.
• Brake and electrical connections to trailer.
• Trailer coupling devices.
• Cargo securement devices

After-trip Inspection and Report.

You should do an after-trip inspection at the end of the trip, day, or tour of duty. This may include filling out a vehicle condition report listing any problems you find:

• Tire Problems
• Wheel and Rim Problems 
• Bad Brake Drums or Shoes
• Steering System Defects
• Suspension System Defects
• Exhaust System Defects
• Emergency Equipment
• Cargo (Trucks)

Seven-step Inspection Method

Step 1: Vehicle Overview

Review Last Vehicle Inspection Report.

Step 2: Check Engine Compartment

Check That the Parking Brakes Are On and/or Wheels Chocked.

Step 3: Start Engine and Inspect Inside the Cab

Get In and Start Engine

Look at the Gauges

Check Mirrors and Windshield.

Step 4: Turn Off Engine and Check Lights

Step 5: Do Walkaround Inspection

Left Front Side

Left front wheel.

Left front suspension.

Left front brake.

Front

Condition of front axle.

Condition of steering system.

Condition of windshield.

Lights and reflectors.

Right Side

Right front: check all items as done on left front.

Primary and secondary safety cab locks engaged (if cab-over-engine design).

Right fuel tank(s).

Condition of visible parts.

Cargo securement (trucks).

Right Rear

Suspension.

Brakes.

Lights and reflectors.

Rear

Left Side

Check all items as done on right side

Step 6: Check Signal Lights

Step 7: Start the Engine and Check

Test for Hydraulic Leaks.

If the vehicle has hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move. If it does, there may be a leak or other problem. Get it fixed before driving. If the vehicle has air brakes, do the checks described in Sections 5 and 6 of this manual.

Brake System

Test Parking Brake(s)

Fasten safety belt

Set parking brake (power unit only).

Release trailer parking brake (if applicable).

Place vehicle into a low gear.

Gently pull forward against parking brake to make sure the parking brake holds.

Repeat the same steps for the trailer with trailer parking brake set and power unit parking brakes released (if applicable).

If it doesn't hold vehicle, it is faulty; get it fixed.

Test Service Brake Stopping Action

Go about five miles per hour.

Push brake pedal firmly

"Pulling" to one side or the other can mean brake trouble.

Any unusual brake pedal "feel" or delayed stopping action can mean trouble.

If you find anything unsafe during the pre-trip inspection, get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle.

Inspection During a Trip

Check Vehicle Operation Regularly

You should check:

Instruments.

Air pressure gauge (if you have air brakes).

Temperature gauges.

Pressure gauges.

Ammeter/voltmeter.

Mirrors.

Tires.

Cargo, cargo covers.

Lights.

If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything that might mean trouble, check it out.

Safety Inspection

inspect the securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and every 150 miles or every three hours (whichever comes first) after