La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § III-107

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

Section III-107 - Knowledge and Skills Test for Endorsements to a Commercial Driver's License

A. The following tests are required for endorsements to a commercial driver's license.

1. Double/Triple Trailer Endorsements. In order to obtain a double/triple trailer endorsement an applicant must satisfactory demonstrate knowledge covering:

a. procedure for assembly and hookup of units;

b. proper placement of the heaviest trailer;

c. coupling and uncoupling of units;

d. handling and stability characteristics, including offtracking, response to steering, sensory feedback, braking, oscillatory sway, roll over in steady turns and skid avoidance;

e. potential problems in traffic operations, including problems the double/triple trailer motor vehicle creates for other motorists due to slower speeds on steep grades, longer passing times, possibility for blocking entry or exit of other vehicles on freeways, splash and spray impacts, aerodynamic buffeting, view-blockages and lateral placement; and

f. skills test during which the basic maneuvers specified in §113 must be satisfactorily performed.

2. Passenger Endorsement. In order to obtain a passenger endorsement, an applicant must satisfactory demonstrate the additional knowledge and test requirements set forth below:

a. all applicants for the passenger endorsement must have knowledge covering the following topics:

i. proper procedures for loading and unloading of passengers;

ii. proper use of emergency exits, including push-out windows;

iii. proper safety and emergency equipment requirements for the type of passenger vehicle to be operated;

iv. proper responses to such emergency situations as fires and unruly passengers;

v. proper procedures at railroad crossing and draw bridges; and

vi. proper braking procedures;

b. an applicant for a passenger endorsement applicable to a specific vehicle group shall take his skills test in a passenger vehicle satisfying the requirements of that group as defined in 49 CFR § 383.91

3. Tank Vehicle Endorsement. In order to obtain a Tank Vehicle Endorsement, each applicant must have knowledge covering the following:

a. causes, prevention, and effects of cargo surge on motor vehicle handling;

b. proper braking procedures for the motor vehicle when it is empty, full and partially full;

c. differences in handling of baffled/compartmental tank interiors versus non-baffled motor vehicles;

d. differences in tank vehicle type and construction;

e. differences in cargo surge for liquids of varying product densities;

f. effects of road grade and curvature on motor vehicle handling with filled, half-filled and empty tanks;

g. proper use of emergency systems; and

h. for drivers of DOT specification tank vehicles, retest and marking requirements.

4. Requirements for Hazardous Materials Endorsement. In order to obtain a Hazardous Material Endorsement each applicant shall have such knowledge as is required of a driver of a hazardous materials laden vehicle, from information contained in 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, and 397 on the following:

a. hazardous materials' regulations including:

i. hazardous materials table;

ii. shipping paper requirements;

iii. marking;

iv. labeling;

v. placarding requirements;

vi. hazardous materials packaging;

vii. hazardous materials definitions and preparation;

viii. other regulated material (e.g., ORM-D);

ix. reporting hazardous materials accidents; and

x. tunnels and railroad crossings;

b. hazardous materials' handling including:

i. forbidden materials and packages;

ii. loading and unloading materials;

iii. cargo segregation;

iv. passenger carrying buses and hazardous materials;

v. attendance of motor vehicles;

vi. parking;

vii. routes;

viii. cargo tanks; and

ix. "Safe Havens";

c. operation of emergency equipment including:

i. use of equipment to protect the public;

ii. special precautions for equipment to be used in fires;

iii. special precautions for use of emergency equipment when loading or unloading a hazardous materials laden motor vehicle; and

iv. use of emergency equipment for tank vehicles;

d. emergency response procedures including:

i. special care and precautions for different types of accidents;

ii. special precautions for driving near a fire and carrying hazardous materials, and smoking and carrying hazardous materials;

iii. emergency procedures; and

iv. existence of special requirements for transporting Class A and B explosives;

e. Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 30-60, 64, 98, 148, and 151;

f. Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 391-396, pertaining to the knowledge of hazardous materials on highways;

g.R.S. 32:1501-1520;

h. hazardous materials handling, including forbidden materials, loading and unloading materials, cargo segregation, passenger-carrying buses and hazardous materials, attendance of motor vehicles, cargo tanks, and "Safe Havens";

i. operation of emergency equipment including use of equipment to protect the public, special precautions for equipment to be used in fires, special precautions for the use of emergency equipment when loading or unloading of hazardous materials, use of emergency equipment for tank vehicles and required emergency equipment for vehicles hauling or handling hazardous materials; and

j. emergency response equipment including the special care and precautions necessary for different types of accidents, special precautions for driving in the vicinity of a fire with hazardous materials, smoking and transporting hazardous materials, emergency procedures and existence of special requirements for transporting Class A and B explosives.

5. Combination Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials. In order for an applicant to obtain a combination tank vehicle and hazardous materials' endorsement, he shall make a satisfactory demonstration of his knowledge by obtaining an 80 percent or better score on the knowledge test of all the requirements set forth above for the applicable type and class of vehicle and hazardous material requirements.

6. School Bus. In order to obtain a school bus endorsement, an applicant must satisfactorily demonstrate the additional knowledge and test requirements set forth below.

a. An applicant for the school bus endorsement must satisfy the following three requirements:

i. qualify for a passenger vehicle endorsement. Pass the knowledge and skills test for obtaining a passenger vehicle endorsement;

ii. knowledge test. Must have knowledge covering the following topics:

(a). loading and unloading children, including the safe operation of stop signal devices, external mirror systems, flashing lights, and other warning and passenger safety devices required for school buses by state of federal law or regulation;

(b). emergency exits and procedures for safely evacuating passengers in an emergency;

(c). state and federal laws and regulations related to safely traversing railroad-highway rail grade crossings; and

(d). operating practices and procedures not otherwise specified;

iii. skills test. Must take a driving skills test in a school bus of the same vehicle group as the school bus applicant will drive. If applying for a passenger and school bus endorsement, a skills test in a school bus will satisfy the required skills test listed in this Section.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § III-107

Filed by the Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor Vehicle, 1974, promulgated and amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, LR 15:1092 (December 1989), amended LR 24:2313 (December 1998), LR 40:91 (January 2014).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 32:408.