CDL Required Vehicles

CDL Driver Documentation:

For agencies that operate one or more vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), drivers who operate these vehicles must have the following items: 

• Commercial Driver’s License; and,

• Current medical certification.

Best practice guidance: Vehicle Inventory lists should indicate if a vehicle requires a CDL, based on capacity.

Implementation:  HR staff should ensure drivers operating CDL-required vehicles maintain the following, (and copies of all documents must be maintained in driver files):

• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

• Current medical certification.

• Negative pre-employment and other required drug/alcohol screens (see Substance Abuse Management requirements for CDL-required drivers)

CDL Substance Abuse Management (SAM): 

Substance Abuse Management (SAM) for agencies/drivers operating vehicles that require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Agencies must develop and implement a substance abuse management policy that includes all the standard requirements listed in the Substance Abuse Management (SAM) section in the Safety Page, as well as policies that comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing regulations. These regulations require employers to develop a substance abuse policy, provide education and training, and implement a testing program for CDL drivers operating CDL-required vehicles.

FMCSA Clearinghouse Requirements:

• Agencies are required to report to the Clearinghouse any violations of the Substance Abuse Management policy, such as positive screens or tests, or refusing to submit to a screen or test.

• Agencies must conduct pre-employment and annual queries of the Clearinghouse for each CDL driver to determine if any reports have been made to the Clearinghouse that may affect the driver's hiring or ongoing employment.  

The FDOT Substance Abuse Management Resource site provides FDOT information regarding Substance Abuse Management requirements for 5310-only agencies.  

Click here to download the TOP template that includes a SAM policy template for your agency.

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