Prohibited Practices and Driver Responsibilities Under CMV Rules
What this domain tests
This domain tests the conduct rules that can end a CDL: texting, hand-held phone use, alcohol, test refusal, falsification, and unsafe passenger practices.
Prohibited practices
- Texting while driving a CMV is prohibited.
- Hand-held phone use while driving a CMV is prohibited.
- No alcohol within 4 hours of duty; a CDL holder is considered impaired at 0.04 BAC in a CMV.
- Refusing a required alcohol or drug test is a violation.
- Falsifying logs, records, or inspection reports is prohibited.
- Do not allow an unauthorized person to drive the bus.
- Do not fuel with passengers aboard unless unavoidable; if you must, stay with the bus.
Responsibilities
Use seat belts, follow hours-of-service rules, report crashes, and ensure passengers are not standing in unsafe positions. Railroad-crossing and speeding violations carry serious penalties.
Worked example
A driver is asked to move a bus and has a BAC of 0.04. The driver must not drive. Reasoning: the CDL standard is 0.04, lower than the 0.08 used for non-commercial drivers; driving would be a violation and an out-of-service event.
Traps
- Assuming the 0.08 limit applies to a CDL holder in a CMV.
- Believing hands-free phone use is treated the same as hand-held use.
- Letting an unlicensed friend move the bus in a lot.
- Falsifying a pre-trip report to save time.