Last Updated 18th of May, 2010

What are the Federal CDL regulations?

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Outlining the CDL Federal Regulations

Any CDL driver who operates across state lines must adhere to federal regulations. These are national rules in addition to the commercial license regulations imposed by your home state. The failure to meet federal regulations could lead to the suspension or loss of your CDL.

Simply put, these federal regulations cover:

  • Owning a valid state-issued commercial license.
  • Having proper identification.
  • Notifying your employer of certain situations.
  • Undergoing medical examinations.
But don’t worry; we’ve outlined them for you below.

Own a Valid State-Issued Commercial License


To legally cross state lines in a commercial vehicle you must own a valid commercial driver license. The CDL class of your vehicle must correspond to the CDL class listed on your license.
 
The same applies for endorsements. For example, to drive a vehicle carrying hazardous waste you must hold a hazardous waste endorsement.

Identification


All state-issued CDLs must display the following identification, as dictated by federal regulations:

  • The words "Commercial Drivers License" or "CDL."
  • Your full name and signature.
  • Your current address.
  • You birth date, height, and sex.
  • A current photo.
  • The license's issue date and expiration date.
  • The name of the issuing state.
  • Any class or endorsement(s) you currently hold.

Employer Notification


You are required to notify your employer of any traffic accidents, violations, or physical incidents in a timely manner. For instance, if you are ticketed for reckless driving, whether it’s in your commercial or passenger vehicle, you must inform your employer within 30 days. Or, as another example, if your driving privileges get revoked or suspended you have one business day to alert your employer.    

Medical Examination


You are required to have a medical examination every two years and receive a Medical Examiner's Certificate. The certificate must include the license number of your physician, the state that issued your physician's license, and your certificate's expiration date.

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