[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR383.113]

[Page 982-983]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 383_COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE STANDARDS; REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES
--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart G_Required Knowledge and Skills
 
Sec. 383.113  Required skills.

    (a) Basic vehicle control skills. All applicants for a CDL must 
possess and demonstrate basic motor vehicle control skills for each 
vehicle group which the driver operates or expects to operate. These 
skills should include the ability to start, to stop, and to move the 
vehicle forward and backward in a safe manner.
    (b) Safe driving skills. All applicants for a CDL must possess and 
demonstrate the safe driving skills for their vehicle group. These 
skills should include proper visual search methods, appropriate use of 
signals, speed control for weather and traffic conditions, and ability 
to position the motor vehicle correctly when changing lanes or turning.
    (c) Air brake skills. Except as provided in Sec. 393.95, all 
applicants shall demonstrate the following skills with respect to 
inspection and operation of air brakes:
    (1) Pre-trip inspection skills. Applicants shall demonstrate the 
skills necessary to conduct a pre-trip inspection which includes the 
ability to:

[[Page 983]]

    (i) Locate and verbally identify air brake operating controls and 
monitoring devices;
    (ii) Determine the motor vehicle's brake system condition for proper 
adjustments and that air system connections between motor vehicles have 
been properly made and secured;
    (iii) Inspect the low pressure warning device(s) to ensure that they 
will activate in emergency situations;
    (iv) Ascertain, with the engine running, that the system maintains 
an adequate supply of compressed air;
    (v) Determine that required minimum air pressure build up time is 
within acceptable limits and that required alarms and emergency devices 
automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level; and
    (vi) Operationally check the brake system for proper performance.
    (2) Driving skills. Applicants shall successfully complete the 
skills tests contained in Sec. 383.113 in a representative vehicle 
equipped with air brakes.
    (d) Test area. Skills tests shall be conducted in on-street 
conditions or under a combination of on-street and off-street 
conditions.
    (e) Simulation technology. A State may utilize simulators to perform 
skills testing, but under no circumstances as a substitute for the 
required testing in on-street conditions.