Addendum Final.pdf

M A I N E

C o m m e r c i a l

D r i v e r L i c e n s e

S k i l l s T e s t A d d e n d u m

CDL Driver’s ManualCDL Driver’s Manual

COPYRIGHT AAMVACOPYRIGHT AAMVA

All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

This booklet is prepared under the authority of the

SECRETARY OF STATE

BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES

101 Hospital Street Augusta, Maine 04333

Phone: (207) 624-9000 Website: http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv

Bureau of Motor Vehicles Contacts

Service Contact

Registration EXT 52149

Driver License Renewals & Duplicates EXT 52114

License Suspensions EXT 52110

Driving Tests (Class C & Motorcycles) EXT 52119

Commercial Driver License (CDL) EXT 52122

Driver Education EXT 52128

TTY Users Maine Relay 711

Federal Contacts and Websites

Agency / Service Contact

FMCSA Maine Division (207) 512-3052

Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

Training Provider Registry https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov

TSA (Hazmat Endorsement) https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/ https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/ https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement

29 State House Station; 101 Hospital Street; Augusta, ME 04333-0029

(207) 624-9000

TTY users call Maine Relay 711

Department of the Secretary of State

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Shenna Bellows Catherine Curtis Secretary of State Deputy Secretary of State

Christopher J. Ireland Director of Driver License Services

Subject: Maine’s Move to CDL Modernized Testing

Hello CLP/CDL Applicants, Modernized CDL Skills Exam Standard

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) released a new version of the CDL Skills Exam that was approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on August 11, 2022. The new standard included changes to the Vehicle Inspection (VI) and Basic Control Skills (BCS) portions of the exam. The public Road Test (RT) segment remained the same. The modernized test improves test administration effectiveness and efficiency by reducing the length of the Vehicle Inspection (VI) and allowing a smaller footprint for the Basic Control Skills (BCS) test pads.

Transition

Maine will be working towards the new modernized standard incrementally starting on November 1st, 2026. At that time Maine will transition to using the new Vehicle Inspection or VI modeling outlined in the newest Maine CDL Manual.

Applicants scheduled for a full CDL Skills Exam on or after November 1st, 2026, will test on the new VI standard. What will not change currently within the full CDL skills exam will be the basic control skills and testing standards. Maine will continue to test basic control skills and using the skills outlined in this addendum. Maine will transition fully to all the new modernized standards on September 1st, 2027.

Changes to the Vehicle Inspection

• There are fewer items that need to be inspected with a focus on critical safety items

• A checklist is available for applicants to use during the Vehicle Inspection to reflect what drivers typically experience on the job

• The Vehicle Inspection section of the Driver’s Manual now includes a description of the components that need to be inspected, information about why inspecting the item is important, and what the applicant must point out during the inspection

29 State House Station; 101 Hospital Street; Augusta, ME 04333-0029

(207) 624-9000

TTY users call Maine Relay 711

Basic Control Skills

• Maine will continue to conduct Basic Control Skills testing with the 4 maneuvers outlined in the addendum until September 1st, 2027. After that date this addendum becomes void, and Maine will move to the 4 skills outlined in the newest CDL manual.

What is not changing?

• There is no change to the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements under 49 CFR Parts 380 Appendices A- E for the topics, content and maneuvers need to be included in Training Provider Theory and Behind-the-Wheel Range curriculums

• The time allotted for each of the three segments of the exam is 30 minutes for a total of 90 minutes for a full CDL Skills Exam

• The public Road Test portion of the exam remains the same

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Manual

Applicants should use the newest Maine CDL Manual to prepare for the CDL Skills Test. It includes the modernized Vehicle Inspection and Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test sections 11 and 12. Training Providers should incorporate any changes into their training curriculums. The new version of the manual includes copies of the Vehicle Inspection Checklists and the course specifications.

Sincerely, Aaron Hayden Chief Driver License Examiner

The off-street skills test area is designed using 10 cones, 10 flags and 3 ropes positioned in such a way as to limit the available room the applicant may use while negotiating the basic skills maneuvers.

The skills coned area is shown below:

The course set-up for a Class A vehicle varies depending on the length of the unit. The vehicle is measured from the front of the unit to the furthermost point of the rear of the trailer. This distance is measured between cones 5 and 7.

Class A Vehicles 40 feet or less 72 feet Over 40 feet but less than 60 feet 82 feet Over 60 feet 92 feet

Class B Vehicles Single rear axle Length of the vehicle plus 10 feet Dual rear axles Length of the vehicle plus 15 feet Tri rear axles Length of the vehicle plus 20 feet

Buses or Class B vehicles with a 10 foot overhang will be given the length of their vehicle plus 20 feet. This is measured from the center of the rear axle to the furthermost point of the rear of the vehicle. If less than 10 feet, you will follow the measurements given under Class B vehicles.

When setting up a test area always be sure to measure the distances from the inside bases of the cones.

Note:

Cone #2 is only a guide cone placed in line with cones 1 and 3.

Cones 8 and 10 are moved out to the 22 foot mark for the bus turnaround.

Some Class C vehicles may have a narrower course set-up.

If you should have any further questions, please contact a Driver License Examiner.

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6 7

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22’

10’

12’ 12’

14’

10’

This addendum expires September 1st, 2027

2005 Commercial Driver’s License Manual. This addendum expires September 1st, 2027.

Section 12 – Basic Control Skills Page 12-1

Section 12

Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test

This Section Covers

• Skills Test Exercises

• Skills Test Scoring

Your basic control skills ability will be tested using multiple exercises off-road:

• Straight line backing.

• Forward through offset alley

• Parallel park (conventional).

• Alley dock.

These exercises are shown in Figures 12-1 through 12-6.

12.1 SCORING

• Crossing Boundaries (encroachments)

• Pull-ups

• Vehicle Exits

• Final Position

Encroachments – The examiner will sound a whistle when you strike a cone or cross over an exercise boundary line with any portion of your vehicle. Each encroachment will count as an attempt. Any remaining attempts must start from the originating position for the maneuver.

Pull-ups – When a driver stops and reverses direction to get a better position, it is scored as a “pull-up”. Stopping without changing direction does not count as a pull-up. You will be allowed one pull-up for each attempt..

Outside Vehicle Observations (Looks) – You may be permitted to safely stop and exit the vehicle one time per attempt to check the external position of the vehicle (look). When doing so, you must place the vehicle in neutral and set the parking brake(s).

Then, when exiting the vehicle, you must do so safely by facing the vehicle and maintaining three points of contact with the vehicle at all times (when exiting a bus, maintain a firm grasp on the handrail at all times).

Final Position – It is important that you finish each exercise exactly as the examiner has instructed you. If you do not maneuver the vehicle into its final position as described by the examiner, you will disqualify on your basic control skills test.

12.2 EXERCISES

12.2.1 – Straight Line Backing

You may be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line between two rows of cones without touching or crossing over the exercise boundaries.

12.2.2 – Forward through offset alley

You will be asked to drive forward and make a lane change to your left without striking the established boundaries marked by cones and ropes.

12.2.3 – Reverse Offset/Parallel Park

You will be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. Your are to drive past the parking space and back your vehicle into the space provided without crossing side or rear boundaries marked by cones and ropes. You must get your vehicle (or trailer, if combination vehicle) completely into the space.

12.2.4 – Alley Dock

You may be asked to sight-side back your vehicle into an alley, bringing the rear of your vehicle as close as possible to the rear of the alley without going beyond the exercise boundary marked by a line or row of cones. You are required to get your vehicle completely into the space with your entire vehicle straight with the alley.

2005 Commercial Driver’s License Manual. This addendum expires September 1st, Section 12 – Basic Control Skills Page 12-2

The off street skills test area is designed using 10 cones, 10 flags, and 3 ropes positioned in such a way as to limit the available room the applicant may use while negotiating these basic maneuvers. The skills test coned area is shown below.

Maneuver # 1 Straight Line Backing

PURPOSE: To test the operator’s ability to back the vehicle in a straight fashion from the start position to a position outside the coned area.

OBJECTIVE: The examiner will direct the applicant to drive into the lane, stopping so that the front most position of the vehicle lines up with the inside bottom edge of the cone’s base. Once the cones have been positioned to correspond with the vehicle type, the examiner will show the applicant how the area is set up and what distances are involved. The operator will then back the vehicle out of the area to a position beyond the end cones without striking any cones or backing outside the area. The operator will have three attempts to complete the maneuver.

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Section 12 – Basic Control Skills Page 12-3

Maneuver #2 Forward Through the Offset Alley

PURPOSE: To test the operator’s ability to make left and right turns which are required when operating in a congested area and to test an ability to allow for vehicle “off-track”.

OBJECTIVE: The area used for testing will have cones and ropes simulating a left and right lane. The operator is required to drive forward in the right lane and turn into the left lane without touching any cones, ropes, or leaving the area. The broken line in the diagram signifies a solid wall. The operator will be allowed two (2) attempts.

Maneuver #3 Reverse Offset/ Parallel Parking

PURPOSE: To test the operator’s ability to maneuver the vehicle backwards into a designated space which is necessary when making certain deliveries and maneuvering around fixed objects.

OBJECTIVE: The area used for testing will have cones and ropes restricting usable space. The operator is required to park the vehicle inside the coned area without touching any of the cones or ropes. The operator will be allowed three (3) attempts. An attempt is a backup and a drive ahead. The cones to the left and right are considered being solid walls and no part of the vehicle is allowed between or beyond them (see broken lines in diagram). The vehicle can not back under or over any rope. ALL OF THE VEHICLE must be inside the designated space. The operator may get out and check the vehicle’s position ONCE each attempt. Should the operator move the vehicle forward during an attempt, the following reverse will be considered the next attempt.

Section 12 – Basic Control Skills Page 12-4

Maneuver #4 Alley Dock

PURPOSE: To test the operator’s ability to back into an alley from a narrow street and stop so that the rear of the vehicle is in a squared position against a platform. If the test vehicle is a tractor-trailer combination, the tractor must be angled to the trailer. This maneuver is used when making certain deliveries and when backing into a platform between parked trailers.

OBJECTIVE: The area used for testing will have cones and ropes used to simulate a loading platform at the rear of a narrow alley between parked trailers. The operator is required to back into the alley and stop with the rear of the vehicle squared and no more than twelve (12) inches from the platform. If the test vehicle is a tractor-trailer combination unit, the tractor must be positioned at a sharp angle to allow traffic to pass on the narrow street. Dump truck-flatbed trailer units are not required to be angled. This maneuver must be done without touching the cones or ropes. The cones denoting solid walls are shown with broken lines in the diagram. The operator will be allowed three (3) attempts. An attempt is a backup and a drive ahead. No part of the vehicle may back over or under the rope that simulates the loading platform. The operator MAY get out and check the position once each attempt. If the operator moves ahead during an attempt, the following reverse will be considered the next attempt.

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Section 12 – Basic Control Skills Page 12-5

Maneuver #4, the alley dock, is not a representative maneuver for a bus. For this reason, maneuver #4 for passenger and school bus endorsements will be a bus turnaround.

Applicants for the passenger vehicle (bus) or school bus endorsement must qualify on the skills test in a vehicle representative of that type. A Class “A” or Class “B” operator may not be entitled to this endorsement until the skills test has been completed in a passenger vehicle (bus).

Maneuver # 4 Bus Turnaround

PURPOSE: To test the operator’s ability to make a safe turn around at the end of a route or at any time it is necessary to reverse the direction of a bus.

OBJECTIVE: The area used for examination purposes will have cones and ropes to simulate a turn around space. The operator must back the bus between the cones in such a way that allows the bus to be driven onto the roadway in the opposing direction. This maneuver must be done without touching the cones or ropes. The maneuver starts with the bus positioned in the right lane of a two lane roadway, beyond the turnaround area, a reasonable distance from the edge of the roadway and parallel to it. The operator will be allowed three (3) attempts. An attempt is a backup and a drive ahead.

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School bus

STATE OF MAINE