What does 49 CFR 391.31 (Road test) require?

Short answer

49 CFR 391.31 requires a road test for commercial motor vehicle drivers, which must be given by the motor carrier or a designated person, and includes testing on specific operations such as pretrip inspection, coupling and uncoupling, and operating in traffic. The test must be of sufficient duration to evaluate the driver's skill. A certificate of driver's road test is issued if the test is successfully completed.

The rule says

"The road test shall be given by the motor carrier or a person designated by it." (49 CFR 391.31(b))

"The test shall be given by a person who is competent to evaluate and determine whether the person who takes the test has demonstrated that he/she is capable of operating the commercial motor vehicle, and associated equipment, that the motor carrier intends to assign him/her." (49 CFR 391.31(b))

"The road test must be of sufficient duration to enable the person who gives it to evaluate the skill of the person who takes it at handling the commercial motor vehicle, and associated equipment, that the motor carrier intends to assign to him/her." (49 CFR 391.31(c))

In plain English

The test must be administered by a qualified person, and it must cover a range of specific operations, including pretrip inspections, coupling and uncoupling, and operating in traffic. In practice, this means that motor carriers must have a robust testing process in place, and they must ensure that their drivers are properly trained and evaluated before they are allowed to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

What to do

• Ensure that all commercial motor vehicle drivers complete a road test before operating a vehicle.
• Designate a competent person to administer the road test.
• Develop a testing process that covers all required operations, including pretrip inspections and operating in traffic.
• Retain a copy of the certificate of driver's road test in the driver's qualification file.