Attn CDL holders.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

You will soon have to self-certify what kind of driver you are, and it largely depends on where your load is going. Interstate drivers will be required to have medical data scanned into their driver's licenses, intrastate drivers won't have to do this but will be restricted to driving in-state only and only hauling loads that originate and complete in the state.

[llewis660]

Just like the government to f*** the laws more than they are right know.

[gator82]

Just like the government to f*** the laws more than they are right know.

X2, It's has been to the point where it's not worth driving anymore and it's only getting worse. Some day there is going to be another shut down or they are going to run out of drivers. Statistics show that as the older generation retires, the younger generation is picking other fields other than driving which in return is creating a driver shortage. They say they are making the roads safer, however all they are doing is taking good drivers off the road and causing others to find other lines of work to get a way from the rules and regulations to put healthier drivers on the road that can't drive a horse to water, let alone a 80+ foot vehicle.

[MR NASTY]

rule has already been pushed back to the end of june

[halfa12pk]

after jan3rd if you are using a cell phone and its not hands free the driver faces a fine up to 2750.00 and the company that owns the truck can be fined upto 11000.00 dollars. but the people in cars can use theres while eating breakfast on there way to work. gotta love it

[Wild One]

This is an article from J.J. Keller



Ringing' in the new year without your cell phone


A list of FAQs on the cell phone ban
Posted December 9, 2011

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has set January 3, 2012, as the effective date of a new hand-held cell-phone ban for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The new rule was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2011.

What does it prohibit?

The new rule says CMV drivers cannot "use a hand-held mobile telephone" while driving a CMV (§392.82). The rule contains the following new definitions:

"Use a hand-held mobile telephone means:

"(1)  Using at least one hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication;

"(2)  Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button, or"

"(3)  Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed in accordance with 49 CFR 393.93 and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions."

"Mobile telephone means a mobile communication device that falls under or uses any commercial mobile radio service, as defined in regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 CFR 20.3. It does not include two-way or Citizens Band Radio services."

"Driving [for purposes of the ban] means operating a commercial motor vehicle on a highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. Driving does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle when the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary."

Who does it affect?

For now, the rule applies to:

All interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers (as "commercial motor vehicle" is defined in section 390.5; this includes both CDL and non-CDL drivers); and
All intrastate CMV drivers hauling a placarded amount of hazardous materials.
In the future, it is expected that the states will adopt a similar provision for all other in-state CMV drivers (with variances based on how each state defines "CMV"). Under Appendix A to Part 355, states are given three years to adopt rules that are similar or identical to the federal standards.

What about "push to talk"?

Most push-to-talk devices are "mobile telephones," so they are subject to the ban.

Can I use my phone at a stop light?

No, CMV drivers cannot use hand-held phones while temporarily stopped due to traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays.

When can I use a hand-held phone?

Hand-held cell-phone use is allowed if you move the vehicle to the side of, or off, the highway and stop in a safe location.

Hand-held cell-phone use is also allowed "when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services."

Can I mount my phone within reach?

Yes, the rule does not prohibit that. Be aware that the DOT says that "reaching for any mobile phone on the passenger seat, under the driver's seat, or into the sleeper berth are not acceptable actions."

Can officers review my call history?

According to the DOT, "Nothing in the rule authorizes enforcement officers to require a driver to make a mobile telephone available so that the officer can review call history for purposes of enforcing this rule." Enforcement will be handled at the state/local level, so the methods used to enforce the new rule will vary.

What are the penalties?

Fines and/or disqualification. Drivers who violate the new ban will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification for multiple offenses. This includes CDL and non-CDL drivers. Violating a state law on hand-held cell-phone use is considered a "serious traffic violation" under the new rule, and a second conviction of any serious traffic violation in 3 years will result in disqualification for 60 days, or 120 days after three convictions. See §§383.51 and 391.15.

Companies that allow their drivers to violate the ban face penalties of up to $11,000 for each violation.

CSA scoring. The rule is expected to be added to the list of violations tracked under the CSA enforcement program, so violations could affect your CSA scores.

What about texting?

Texting while driving is already prohibited under federal (§392.80) and most state rules. The DOT says it has already cited over 300 CMV drivers for texting.

[sheppieblaze]

they are trying to pass it in cali right now ..and as we all know they will try to push theire rules and regs on everyone else

[J.C.]

after jan3rd if you are using a cell phone and its not hands free the driver faces a fine up to 2750.00 and the company that owns the truck can be fined upto 11000.00 dollars. but the people in cars can use theres while eating breakfast on there way to work. gotta love it

You dont think a cdl licensed driver should have more responsibility then one of a regular passenger vehicle? Id like to debate this topic with you

[RIP_K52007]

we're next jc just wait for the national id card its all about where you draw the line I suppose.

A quote from the man himself

‎"Liberty is lost through complacency and a subservient mindset. When we accept or even welcome automobile checkpoints, random searches, mandatory identification cards, and paramilitary police in our streets, we have lost a vital part of our American heritage. America was born of protest, revolution, and mistrust of government. Subservient societies neither maintain nor deserve freedom for long." — Ron Paul

[J.C.]

I was referring to the cell phone use. As far as the other, it's a bummer that they regulate it.

[MR NASTY]

The average car has the the same possibility to kill someone as a cdl  driver so no it is not fair the amount of hoops we have to jump through to be compliant. The amount of things you see stupid people doing never seems to amaze me out in the road.  And also the fmcsa reports 64% of all cell cdlrealated accidents are cause by cars.

[gator82]

Wonder how much longer till they ban C.B's?

[J.C.]

The average car has the the same possibility to kill someone as a cdl  driver so no it is not fair the amount of hoops we have to jump through to be compliant. The amount of things you see stupid people doing never seems to amaze me out in the road.  And also the fmcsa reports 64% of all cell cdlrealated accidents are cause by cars.

id rather get hit by someone in a 3500# car, as opposed to a 80,000# semi, thats alot bigger.

the bigger the vehicle, the bigger the responsibility, the more restrictions.

[MR NASTY]

each has the same potential to kill you!  your just like the rest of the public that villainies big trucks but sure has no problem accepting the goods off them.  this will make it no safer as now you will have trucks using the shoulders to use the phone and then reentering the road way after.  any idiot can get a license to drive a car while it take skill to acquire a cdl.   

[mudboggTshirts]

Postal workers can be fired for driving and using the cell phone..they have to be parked to use it..

[J.C.]

each has the same potential to kill you! your just like the rest of the public that villainies big trucks but sure has no problem accepting the goods off them.  this will make it no safer as now you will have trucks using the shoulders to use the phone and then reentering the road way after.  any idiot can get a license to drive a car while it take skill to acquire a cdl.   

i dont villianize truckers. i enjoy the products that i get that are delivered by trucks. i just think the people driving the trucks should be held to a higher standard, thats all.

for example, i had a dumpster dropped off at my house a while back, a week later they came to pick it up. the person driving got stuck in my yard because they werent paying attention, and drove off my paved driveway, and got this loaded truck buried in my yard. i was furious, because since they had a cdl, i figured they would be more responsible since they must take driving tests, written tests, specialized training etc. to prove that they have the aptitude, and the situational awareness to handle the job. what if that person would have been on a highway? sure, we could "what if" this all day, but we all know the possible consequences.

with that said, there are alot of rules and regulations with the job, as there should be. there are alot more variables in ANY situation while driving a 53'+ truck... longer distances to stop, longer turning radius, i could go on and on... im not condoning driving and talking in ANY vehicle, since it takes away from driving aspect. should drivers of any vehicle be ok to not pay attention? i mean, your a truck driver, shouldnt you be driving a truck, not on a phone? i understand that most drivers have a family at home, and its nice to stay in touch, but all it takes is one reach for a phone to ruin a day. dont they have rest areas for vehicles to pull over on? i guess all in all its for the safety of everyone. i hope they outlaw cell phone use in all vehicles, nothing pisses me off more then someone chatting on the phone, doin 35 in a 55 because they cant handle multi-tasking.

are we on the same page for this debate?? im against truckers using handheld phones, as the new regulations state. if they have hands free devices, i dont see a problem with that as long as they follow the "one button push to call" rule.

[MR NASTY]

I see the texting as way more of an issue then the phone calls. I personally use the hands free myself and urge all to do the same not just cdl holders

[gator82]

I use a bluetooth, however, it is easy for people that dont drive a truck to not understand which includes the the ones that come up with all of the rules and regulations. There has been many times where I have gotten lost by bad directions or made a wrong turn and had to call so the customer could walk me through the turns and what not to get there. Yes you can pull over but if you are in Chicago, Louisville, or any major city including the east coast, there is not a place to just pull over to make a call. Most of these cities you can get a huge fine for parking on a shoulder to make a call. You are damned if you do, damned if you don't.  I have been driving since 2003, I can map my trip, call for directions and so on before starting the trip, but something can always happen to where you need that phone call. Again, there is no place or truckstops/rest areas out on the east coast nor big cities like Chicago that a truck can just pull off to make a call. It would be nice but the fact is, it's just not possible sometimes.

[RIP_K52007]

theres this view point also, I work sometimes a 12-13 hour shift and if I get caught with my cell phone I can get fired on the spot. My job dont even require driving
It is work and if work says dont use the phone then dont use the phone. Now if I was off the clock and they said dont use the phone I'd tellem where they can go...

[4x4xdodgeman]

my thought on this is the government needs more $$$$ and you can't go after taxes payers. so thay go for what you can add rules to got $$$$ from. if thay pass law on this for every body, people would go byTch at the state level government.