| A. |
The Department shall conduct an examination of every applicant for a commercial driver's license, which examination shall comply with the minimum federal standards established pursuant to the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The examination shall be designed to test the vision, knowledge, and skills required for the safe operation of the class and type of commercial motor vehicle for which the applicant seeks a license. |
| B. |
An applicant's skills test shall be conducted in a vehicle that is representative of or meets the description of the class of vehicle for which the applicant seeks to be licensed. In addition, applicants who seek to be licensed to drive vehicles with air brakes, passenger-carrying vehicles, or school buses must take the skills test in a vehicle that is representative of such vehicle type. Such vehicle shall be furnished by the applicant and shall be properly licensed, inspected and insured. |
| C. |
Prior to April 1, 1992, the Commissioner may waive the skills test for applicants licensed at the time they apply for a commercial driver's license if: |
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1. |
The applicant has not, and certifies that he has not, at any time during the two years immediately preceding the date of application: |
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a. |
Had more than one driver's license, except during the ten-day period beginning on the date such person is issued a driver's license, or unless, prior to December 31, 1989, such applicant was required to have more than one license by a state law enacted before June 1, 1986; |
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b. |
Had any driver's license or driving privilege suspended, revoked or canceled; |
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c. |
Had any convictions involving any kind of motor vehicle for the offenses listed in §§ 46.2-341.18, 46.2-341.19, or § 46.2-341.20; and |
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d. |
Been convicted of a violation of state or local laws relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, which violation arose in connection with any reportable traffic accident; and |
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2. |
The applicant certifies and provides evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner that he is regularly employed in a job requiring the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, and either: |
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a. |
Has previously taken and successfully completed a skills test which was administered by a state with a classified licensing and testing system and that test was behind the wheel in a vehicle representative of the class and, if applicable, the type of commercial motor vehicle for which the applicant seeks to be licensed; or |
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b. |
Has operated, for at least two years immediately preceding the application date, a vehicle representative of the class and, if applicable, the type of commercial motor vehicle for which the applicant seeks to be licensed. |
| D. |
The Commissioner may, in his discretion, designate such persons as he deems fit, including private or governmental entities, to administer the skills tests required of applicants for a commercial driver's license. Any person so designated shall comply with all regulations promulgated by the Commissioner with respect to the administration of such skills tests. |
| E. |
Every applicant for a commercial driver's license who is required by the Commissioner to take a vision test shall either (i) appear before a license examiner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to demonstrate his visual acuity and horizontal field of vision; or (ii) submit with his application a report of such examination made within ninety days of the application date by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The Commissioner may, by regulation, determine whether any other visual tests will satisfy the requirements of this title for commercial drivers. |
(1989, c. 705, § 46.1-372.14.)
