Let’s start with the difference between CDL, CMV, and non-DOT drivers.

Most people think that they are pretty much the same thing.

The key difference is that a CMV driver is anyone who operates a vehicle in commerce and that vehicle has a GVWR of more than 10K lbs.

A CDL driver is anyone who operates a vehicle with a GVWR over 26k lbs, transports a placardable amount of hazardous materials, or operates a vehicle that was designed to transport 16 passengers, including the driver.

For all non-DOT drivers, it is best practice to have their current driver license on file as well as run an MVR (motor vehicle report, or driving record) annually.

Non-CDL CMV drivers need to have:

1. Driver File
2. Driver License
3. DOT medical card
4. Certificate of Violations
5. Road Test
6. Previous employment verifications

All CDL drivers need to have:

1. Driver File
2. Driver License
3. DOT medical card
4. Certificate of Violations
5. Previous employment verifications
6. Clearinghouse Query
7. FMCSA DOT drug test

Just in case that wasn’t enough information, here is some more.

Here is a list of things that you need to have for all CMV Driver Files (DQ Files).

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED IN EVERY DRIVER FILE

Driver application 391.21

• See the notes below.

Annual Driver Review 391.25(a)

• Must be completed within the first year (not needed if your company utilizes constant MVR monitoring).
• Completed annually
• Keep the original.
• Last 3 years

Certificate of Violations

• Must be completed within the first year.
• Completed annually
• Keep the original.
• Last 3 years

Driver License

• Keep original
• Last 3 years

Medical Card

• The national registry number needs to be verified and documented.
  ~ https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/national-registry-certified-medical-examiners-search
• Keep original
• Last 3 years

Motor Vehicle Report

• Must be pulled within 30 days of employment.
• Pulled Annually
• It also must be pulled within 15 days of the medical card being renewed.
• Keep original
• Last 3 years

Previous employment verification (past 3 years)

• The best practice is to pull for every employer for the last 3 years, even if they marked a non-DOT position.

Road Test

• CDL can be used as a road test, except when
• Required when an employee will be operating tankers
• Required when an employee will be operating doubles or triples

**All non-CDL drivers must have a road test**

Entry-Level Driver Training

• Required for all drivers that come to your company with no experience.
• The best practice is to cover all employees.

Drug and alcohol clearinghouse results effective 1/6/2020

• Must be pulled prior to allowing the driver to operate the CDL vehicle.
• Pulled annually
• Keep original
• Keep for 3 years

The driver application needs to contain

• Name and address of the employer
• The date on which the application was completed
• Applicant name
• Applicant address for the past 3 years
• Applicant’s Date of Birth
• The applicant’s social security number
• Applicant driver license number
• Applicant driver license state
• Applicant driver license expiration
• Applicant’s previous experience
• Applicant accidents for the past 3 years
• Applicant traffic citations for the past 3 years
• Applicant driver license requirements page
• Most applications contain the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• Previous employment (10 years of CDL applicants) and (3 years of non-CDL applicants)

Each previous employer must include

• Dates of employment (month and year)
• Company name
• Address (city and state)
• Reasons for leaving
• Was this a DOT-sensitive position?
• Was the employee subject to FMCSRs?

I know that is a ton of information.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally.