CDL Practice Tests For Driving Rules & Regulations Page 1

The CMVSA was designed to stop these abuses by prohibiting drivers from holding more than one license. A nationwide information system prevents the issuance of multiple licenses.

A CDL must be obtained by the driver of any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR)** of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)* of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

The following vehicle operators are not required to obtain a CDL:

• Farm Equipment Operators — This exemption covers legitimate farm-to-market operations by farmers, not commercial grain haulers. CDLs are not required to operate vehicles:
  • Controlled and operated by a farmer, a member of the farmer’s family or an employee;
  • Used to transport farm products, equipment or supplies to or from a farm (including nurseries and aquacultures);
  • Used within 150 air miles of the farm; and
  • Not used in the operations of a common or contract carrier; and
  • Used in nursery or agricultural operations.

  NOTE: For the drivers of truck-tractor semitrailers, the farmer, his or her spouse and their children, parents on both sides, brothers and sisters on both sides and their spouses, and employees of a farm operating a truck-tractor semitrailer and meeting the above criteria also are exempted from the CDL Program. These drivers must be at least age 21, and the vehicle must have a Farm registration. These drivers are still required to take the appropriate CDL written, skills and road tests to be licensed.

• Emergency Equipment Operators — Because most emergency organizations have extensive initial training and retraining requirements for their equipment operators, Illinois waives CDL requirements for operators of emergency equipment owned or operated by or for a government agency, when responding to or returning from an emergency.
• Military Vehicle Operators — Operators of military vehicles for military purposes are exempt from obtaining a CDL.
• Recreational Vehicle Operators — Recreational vehicle operators, when using the vehicle primarily for personal use, do not need a CDL.

There are seven special CDL endorsements and one restriction that require testing, which are summarized below. In addition, drivers who do not pass the air brake portion of the exams are restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes.

• Charter Bus Endorsement (C)
• Combination Tank and Hazardous Materials (X)
• Double/Triple Trailers (T)
• Passenger Vehicles (P)
• School Bus Endorsement (S)
• Tank Vehicles (N)
• Vehicles Carrying Hazardous Materials (H)

Effective January 1, 2014, Illinois law prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones, texting or using other communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. Hands-free devices or Blue Tooth technology is allowed for persons over age 18. Even using hands-free technology is considered a distraction while driving and can be dangerous. If you must make a phone call, even with hands-free technology, it is recommended that you pull off to the side of the road before making the call. Illinois drivers are exempt from using a cellphone or text messaging while driving only when:

• Reporting an emergency situation.
• Using the device hands-free or in voice-activated mode.
• Parked on the shoulder of a highway.
• Stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park

Any driver convicted of DUI (regardless of BAC) is disqualified for a minimum 12 months.

A CDL holder operating a CMV who is found to have any alcohol in his/her system is placed out of service for at least 24 hours.

A school bus driver may not operate a school bus with a BAC of more than .00.

A conviction for violation of an out-of-service order results in disqualification for a minimum six months.

Width — The maximum width for all vehicles is 8 feet, 6 inches.