(a) Initial Commercial Driver’s License.— Prior to obtaining a CDL, a person must meet the following requirements:

(a)(1) A person who operates or expects to operate in interstate or foreign commerce, or is otherwise subject to Part 391 of this title, shall certify that he/she meets the qualification requirements contained in Part 391 of this title. A person who operates or expects to operate entirely in intrastate commerce and is not subject to Part 391, is subject to State driver qualification requirements and must certify that he/she is not subject to Part 391;

(a)(2) Pass a knowledge test in accordance with the standards contained in Subparts G and H of this part for the type of motor vehicle the person operates or expects to operate;

(a)(3) Pass a driving or skills test in accordance with the standards contained in Subparts G and H of this part taken in a motor vehicle which is representative of the type of motor vehicle the person operates or expects to operate; or provide evidence that he/she has successfully passed a driving test administered by an authorized third party;

(a)(4) Certify that the motor vehicle in which the person takes the driving skills test is representative of the type of motor vehicle that person operates or expects to operate;

(a)(5) Provide to the State of issuance the information required to be included on the CDL as specified in Subpart J of this part;

(a)(6) Certify that he/she is not subject to any disqualification under §383.51, or any license suspension, revocation, or cancellation under State law, and that he/she does not have a driver’s license from more than one State or jurisdiction;

(a)(7) Surrender the applicant’s non-CDL driver’s licenses to the State; and

(a)(8) Provide the names of all States where the applicant has previously been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the previous 10 years.

(a)(9) If applying for a hazardous materials endorsement, comply with Transportation Security Administration requirements codified in 49 CFR Part 1572, and provide proof of citizenship or immigration status as specified in Table 1 to this section. A lawful permanent resident of the United States requesting a hazardous materials endorsement must additionally provide his or her Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) Alien registration number.

(b) License transfer. When applying to transfer a CDL from one State of domicile to a new State domicile, an applicant shall apply for a CDL from the new State of domicile within no more than 30 days after establishing his/her new domicile. The applicant shall:

(b)(1) Provide to the new State of domicile the certifications contained in §383.71(a)(1) and (6);

(b)(2) Provide to the new State of domicile updated information as specified in Subpart J of this part;

(b)(3) If the applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, he/she must comply with the requirements for such endorsement specified in §383.71(a)(9) and State requirements as specified in §383.73(b)(4);

(b)(4) Surrender the CDL from the old State of domicile to the new State of domicile; and

(b)(5) Provide the names of all States where the applicant has previously been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the previous 10 years.

(c) License renewal. When applying for a renewal of a CDL, all applicants shall:

(c)(1) Provide certification contained in §383.71(a)(1);

(c)(2) Provide updated information as specified in Subpart J of this part; and

(c)(3) If a person wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, he/she must comply with the requirements specified in §383.71(a)(9) and pass the test specified in §383.121 for such endorsement.

(c)(4) Provide the names of all States where the applicant has previously been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the previous 10 years.

(d) License upgrades. When applying to operate a commercial motor vehicle in a different group or endorsement from the group or endorsement in which the applicant already has a CDL, all persons shall:

(d)(1) Provide the necessary certifications as specified in §383.71(a)(1) and (a)(4);

(d)(2) Pass all tests specified in §383.71(a)(2) and (a)(3) for the new vehicle group and/or different endorsements; and

(d)(3) To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, comply with the requirements for such endorsement specified in §383.71(a)(9).

(e) Nonresident CDL. When an applicant is domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction, as defined in §383.5, where the commercial motor vehicle operator testing and licensing standards do not meet the standards contained in Subparts G and H of this part, as determined by the Administrator, such applicant shall obtain a Nonresident CDL from a State which meets such standards. Such applicant shall:

(e)(1) Complete the requirements to obtain a CDL contained in §383.71(a); and

(e)(2) After receipt of the CDL, and for as long as it is valid, notify the State which issued the CDL of any adverse action taken by any jurisdiction or governmental agency, foreign or domestic, against his/her driving privileges. Such adverse actions would include but not be limited to license suspension or revocation, or disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the convictions described in §383.51. Notifications shall be made within the time periods specified in §383.33.

(f) If a State uses the alternative method described in §383.73(i) to achieve the objectives of the certifications in §383.71(a), then the driver applicant shall satisfy such alternative methods as are applicable to him/her with respect to initial licensing, license transfer, license renewal, and license upgrades.

[67 FR 49759-49760, July 31, 2002; 68 FR 23849, May 5, 2003]