---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 383.113"
title: "49"
number: "383.113"
heading: "Required skills."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/383.113"
---

# §383.113. Required skills.

- (a) **Pre-trip vehicle inspection skills.** Applicants for a CDL must possess the following basic pre-trip vehicle inspection skills for the vehicle class that the driver operates or expects to operate:
  - (1) **All test vehicles.** Applicants must be able to identify each safety-related part on the vehicle and explain what needs to be inspected to ensure a safe operating condition of each part, including:
    - (i) Engine compartment;
    - (ii) Cab/engine start;
    - (iii) Steering;
    - (iv) Suspension;
    - (v) Brakes;
    - (vi) Wheels;
    - (vii) Side of vehicle;
    - (viii) Rear of vehicle; and
    - (ix) Special features of tractor trailer, school bus, or coach/transit bus, if this type of vehicle is being used for the test.
  - (2) **Air brake equipped test vehicles.** Applicants must demonstrate the following skills with respect to inspection and operation of air brakes:
    - (i) Locate and verbally identify air brake operating controls and monitoring devices;
    - (ii) Determine the motor vehicle's brake system condition for proper adjustments and that air system connections between motor vehicles have been properly made and secured;
    - (iii) Inspect the low pressure warning device(s) to ensure that they will activate in emergency situations;
    - (iv) With the engine running, make sure that the system maintains an adequate supply of compressed air;
    - (v) Determine that required minimum air pressure build up time is within acceptable limits and that required alarms and emergency devices automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level; and
    - (vi) **Operationally check the brake system for proper performance.**
- (b) **Basic vehicle control skills.** All applicants for a CDL must possess and demonstrate the following basic motor vehicle control skills for the vehicle class that the driver operates or expects to operate:
  - (1) Ability to start, warm up, and shut down the engine;
  - (2) Ability to put the motor vehicle in motion and accelerate smoothly, forward and backward;
  - (3) Ability to bring the motor vehicle to a smooth stop;
  - (4) Ability to back the motor vehicle in a straight line, and check path and clearance while backing;
  - (5) Ability to position the motor vehicle to negotiate safely and then make left and right turns;
  - (6) Ability to shift as required and select appropriate gear for speed and highway conditions; and
  - (7) **Ability to back along a curved path.**
- (c) **Safe on-road driving skills.** All applicants for a CDL must possess and demonstrate the following safe on-road driving skills for their vehicle class:
  - (1) Ability to use proper visual search methods;
  - (2) Ability to signal appropriately when changing direction in traffic;
  - (3) Ability to adjust speed to the configuration and condition of the roadway, weather and visibility conditions, traffic conditions, and motor vehicle, cargo and driver conditions;
  - (4) Ability to choose a safe gap for changing lanes, passing other vehicles, as well as for crossing or entering traffic;
  - (5) Ability to position the motor vehicle correctly before and during a turn to prevent other vehicles from passing on the wrong side, as well as to prevent problems caused by off-tracking;
  - (6) Ability to maintain a safe following distance depending on the condition of the road, visibility, and vehicle weight;
  - (7) Ability to adjust operation of the motor vehicle to prevailing weather conditions including speed selection, braking, direction changes, and following distance to maintain control; and
  - (8) Ability to observe the road and the behavior of other motor vehicles, particularly before changing speed and direction.
- (d) **Test area.** Skills tests shall be conducted in on-street conditions or under a combination of on-street and off-street conditions.
- (e) **Simulation technology.** A State may utilize simulators to perform skills testing, but under no circumstances as a substitute for the required testing in on-street conditions.

## Notes

### Amendments

[76 FR 26889, May 9, 2011]

### Source

Source: 53 FR 27654, July 21, 1988, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 521, 31136, 31301, et seq., and 31502; secs. 214 and 215 of Pub. L. 106-159, 113 Stat. 1748, 1766, 1767; sec. 1012(b) of Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272, 397, sec. 4140 of Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 1746; sec. 32934 of Pub. L. 112-141, 126 Stat. 405, 830; secs. 5401 and 7208, Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1546, 1593 (49 U.S.C. 31305(d)), sec. 23019 of Pub. L. 117-58, 135 Stat. 429, 777; and 49 CFR 1.87.

### Source

Source: 52 FR 20587, June 1, 1987, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[76 FR 26889, May 9, 2011]