What are the road test requirements under 49 CFR 391.31?

Short answer

The road test requirements under 49 CFR 391.31 include:

1. Pretrip inspection

2. Coupling and uncoupling of combination units

3. Placing the commercial motor vehicle in operation

4. Use of the commercial motor vehicle's controls and emergency equipment

5. Operating the commercial motor vehicle in traffic and while passing other motor vehicles

6. Turning the commercial motor vehicle

7. Braking, and slowing the commercial motor vehicle by means other than braking

8. Backing and parking the commercial motor vehicle

The rule says

"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 him/her." (49 CFR 391.31(c))

1. "The pretrip inspection required by 392.7 of this subchapter" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(1))

2. "Coupling and uncoupling of combination units, if the equipment he/she may drive includes combination units" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(2))

3. "Placing the commercial motor vehicle in operation" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(3))

4. "Use of the commercial motor vehicle's controls and emergency equipment" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(4))

5. "Operating the commercial motor vehicle in traffic and while passing other motor vehicles" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(5))

6. "Turning the commercial motor vehicle" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(6))

7. "Braking, and slowing the commercial motor vehicle by means other than braking" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(7))

8. "Backing and parking the commercial motor vehicle" (49 CFR 391.31(c)(8))

(49 CFR 391.31(c))

In plain English

The test must be long enough to allow the examiner to evaluate the driver's skills in various operations, including pretrip inspections, coupling and uncoupling, and operating the vehicle in traffic. The examiner must also assess the driver's ability to use the vehicle's controls and emergency equipment, as well as their ability to brake, turn, and back up the vehicle.

What to do

• Ensure that the road test is given by a competent person who can evaluate the driver's skills
• Use a road test form to rate the driver's performance in each operation
• Retain a copy of the signed road test form and the certificate of driver's road test in the driver's qualification file
• Verify that the driver has successfully completed the road test before allowing them to operate a commercial motor vehicle