Commercial Driver’s License Policy - Part 5, Chapter 1, Section 6 - Rules for CDL Employees

Sep 16, 2026

Uploaded by Aran

Commercial Driver’s License policy establishes administrative rules for employees who hold a CDL and perform safety-sensitive functions. It defines key terms such as the FMCSA Clearinghouse, Commercial Motor Vehicles, CDL Drivers, and safety-sensitive functions under federal regulations. The policy sets applicability across county departments and specifies CDL driver requirements including licensing duration, Clearinghouse registration and consent, drug and alcohol testing, proper class and endorsements, acceptable restrictions, and documentation and medical reporting duties.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Policy Title

Purpose

Definitions

Applicability

CDL Driver Requirements

Jefferson County Policy Manual Policy Title: Commercial Driver’s License Policy Number: Part 5, Staff Policies; Chapter 1, Rules; Section 6 Type of Policy: Administrative Adopting Resolution: CC23-236 References: Resolutions CC13-170 , CC15-443 , CC19-426 , CC20-092 Effective Date: August 29, 2023 Adoption Date: August 29, 2023 Administrative Revision Date: Not applicable Policy Custodian: Safety & Compliance Compliance: As stated in the Applicability Section of this policy Purpose: To provide rules for employees who hold a Commercial Driver’s License and perform safety sensitive functions. A. Definitions 1. Clearinghouse: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database that requires motor carriers to report information to and to query driver history for drivers subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) controlled substance and alcohol testing regulations. 2. Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) : Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, (49 C. F. R. § 383.5) defines a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) as “a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle is a a. Combination Vehicle (Group A)—having a gross combination weight rating orgross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), whichever is greater; or b. Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B)—having a gross vehicle weight rating orgross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater; or c. Small Vehicle (Group C) that does not meet Group A or B requirements but that either 1) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or 2) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section. 3. CDL Driver: Employees who are required to hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or CDL permit and perform any safety-sensitive function as part of their assigned duties. 4. Safety-sensitive function: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Section 382.107 states that safety-sensitive functions include all time: • at a motor carrier or shipper plant, terminal, facility, or other property, or on any public property, waiting to be dispatched, unless the driver has been relieved from duty by the motor carrier; • inspecting equipment or otherwise inspecting, servicing, or conditioning any commercial motor vehicle at any time; • spent at the driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle in operation; • other than driving time, in or upon any commercial motor vehicle except time resting in a sleeper berth; • loading or unloading a vehicle, supervising, or assisting in the loading or unloading, attending a vehicle being loaded or unloaded, remaining in readiness to operate the vehicle, or in giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded or unloaded; and • repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled vehicle. B. Applicability 1. This Policy shall apply to all Departments/Divisions that report to the Board of County Commissioners, Elected Officials Offices and Appointed Officials Offices. 2. All employees who are required to hold a CDL or a CDL permit and perform any safety-sensitive function as part of their assigned duties are subject to this policy and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. CDL holders who perform safety-sensitive functions are referred to as CDL Drivers under this policy. Employees subject to this policy are also subject to the Jefferson County Personnel Rules and the Policy and Procedure Manuals. C. CDL Driver Requirements 1. All CDL Drivers must have a valid driver’s license for a minimum of two consecutive years immediately preceding performing safety sensitive functions. 2. All CDL Drive

FAQs

Who must follow this Commercial Driver’s License policy?

All departments and divisions reporting to county leadership, and all employees required to hold a CDL (or CDL permit) to perform safety-sensitive functions, must follow the policy and applicable state and federal laws.

What does the policy require regarding the FMCSA Clearinghouse?

CDL Drivers must register with the FMCSA Clearinghouse, consent to a PreHire query, and be shown eligible to drive a CMV before performing safety-sensitive functions. Annual Clearinghouse queries are automatically consented to during employment.

What licensing and medical requirements apply to CDL Drivers?

CDL Drivers must have a valid driver’s license for at least two consecutive years preceding safety-sensitive work, renew their CDL and the DOT medical examiner’s certificate before expiration, and pass DOT physical requirements. They must also report medical conditions affecting safety-sensitive duties.

Sep 16, 2026

Uploaded by Aran