Transcript Module 2 - propane.net

PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
MODULE 2
DOT Licensing and Driving Requirements
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Introduction
Drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)
to deliver propane must meet all of the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) licensing and driving
requirements. Before driving a CMV, employees must
obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) and
additional required endorsements from their state driving
agency. Propane delivery vehicle drivers must also be
aware of other driving requirements and restrictions,
including rules prohibiting drug and alcohol use.
After completing this module, you will be able to:
 Identify DOT CMV licensing and driving
requirements for propane delivery drivers.
 List CDL requirements, classifications, and
endorsements.
 Describe drug and alcohol restrictions and testing
requirements.
LESSON 1
2
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
LESSON 1
General DOT Driver Qualifications
3
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Personal Qualifications
As a CMV driver, 49 CFR requires that you are:
 At least 21 years old.
 Able to read and speak English well enough to
converse with the general public, understand
highway traffic signs and signals, and respond
to official inquiries.
 Experienced and trained to safely operate the
type of CMV you drive. For example, you must
complete hazardous materials (hazmat)
training within your first 90 days of employment
if you drive a placarded vehicle. Until you
complete this hazmat training, you can only
perform safety-sensitive functions when you are
under the direct supervision of a qualified
person.
 Physically qualified to drive a CMV.
 Not limited by any conditions that would
disqualify you from driving a CMV.
LESSON 1
4
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Documentation Requirements
DOT requires all employers to keep a driver
qualification file for each employee who drives a CMV.
A driver qualification file must contain current copies
of:







Application for employment
Previous employment record
Driving record
Annual driver’s certificate of violations
Annual review of driving record
Driver’s road test certificate or equivalent
Medical examination certificate
LESSON 1
5
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Other Requirements
Federal regulations and NFPA 58 require that drivers transporting and
unloading propane understand the properties and characteristics of propane,
and know how to respond in the event of an emergency.
Federal regulations restrict the use of hand-held mobile telephones by CMV
drivers. CMV drivers are prohibited from holding or reaching for a hand-held
mobile phone while driving. Hands‐free use of a mobile telephone is allowed
using either a wired or wireless earpiece, or the speakerphone function of the
mobile telephone.
CMV drivers must conform to Hours of Service Regulations, unless
exempted while operating under a DOT-declared emergency or written
exemption.
Current Hours of Service Regulations require the following:



A driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours offduty. Note: Many bobtail drivers operate under the 100 mile radius
exemption.
A driver may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, following
10 consecutive hours off-duty.
A driver may not drive after being on duty for 60 hours in 7 consecutive
days, or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. A new 60 or 70-hour period begins
after the driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty.
LESSON 1
MORE
6
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Other Requirements cont.
100 mile radius exemption
Many bobtail drivers operate under the 100 mile radius exemption and are exempt from the
requirements of Sec. 395.8 if:
 The driver operates within a 100 air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location.
 The driver, except a driver salesperson, returns to the work reporting location and is
released from work within 12 consecutive hours.
 A property-carrying commercial motor vehicle driver has at least 10 consecutive
hours off duty separating each 12 hours on duty.
 A property-carrying commercial motor vehicle driver does not exceed 11 hours
maximum driving time following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
 The motor carrier that employs the driver maintains and retains for a period of 6
months accurate and true time records showing the time the driver reports for duty
each day, the total number of hours the driver is on duty each day, the time the driver
is released from duty each day, the total time for the preceding 7 days in accordance
with Sec. 395.8(j)(2) for drivers used for the first time or intermittently.
LESSON 1
7
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
LESSON 2
CDL Information
8
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
CDL Requirements
In addition to the basic DOT driver requirements, you
must also have a valid commercial driver’s license
(CDL) to drive a CMV.
Only a state regulatory agency that meets DOT
regulations can issue your CDL. Furthermore, only
the state in which you have permanent residence can
issue your CDL.
State agencies may suspend or revoke your CDL if
you violate DOT requirements or have an unsafe
driving record.
LESSON 2
9
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
CDL Classifications
Your CDL must have the correct classification for the type of vehicle you operate. CDLs are
classified by the following vehicle groups:
 Class A (Combination Vehicle): Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lb or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s)
being towed is in excess of 10,000 lb.
 Class B (Heavy Straight Vehicle): Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lb or
more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lb GVWR.
 Class C (Small Vehicle): Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not
meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or
more passengers including the driver, or is placarded for transporting hazardous
materials.
LESSON 2
MORE
10
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
CDL Classifications cont.
LESSON 2
11
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
CDL Endorsements
Drivers who operate special types of CMVs must pass
additional tests to obtain special endorsements on their
CDLs. An air brake restriction is added to a CDL if either
or both of the following conditions are met: The applicant
fails the air brake component of the knowledge test or the
applicant performs the skill test in a vehicle that is not
equipped with air brakes. Note: If a driver has an air
brake restriction on their license, then the driver may
not operate a vehicle with air brakes.
The different CDL endorsements include:




H: Hazardous materials endorsement
N: Tank vehicles endorsement
T: Double/triple trailers endorsement
X: Combination tank vehicle (N) and
hazardous materials (H) endorsement
LESSON 2
12
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Hazardous Materials Endorsement
The Transportation Security Administration requires
commercial drivers who want to apply for, renew, or transfer
a hazardous materials endorsement (H) on their stateissued CDL to undergo a security threat assessment.
This assessment includes a/an:
 Fingerprint-based FBI criminal background check
 Security/terrorism check
 Immigration status verification
This requirement became effective for new hazmat
applicants on January 31, 2005.
Note: As of May 31, 2005, individuals who want to renew or
transfer an existing hazmat endorsement must submit
personal information and fingerprints with their hazmat
application.
LESSON 2
13
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
LESSON 3
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
14
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Drug and Alcohol Restrictions
CMV drivers are prohibited from:
 Using marijuana, narcotics, amphetamines, or any other
controlled substance.
 Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol
or while impaired in any way.
 Operating a CMV after consuming any alcohol at a
minimum of four hours before reporting for work. If you
consume a lot of alcohol the night before reporting for
duty, be aware that you may still be impaired even if four
hours have passed.
It is important to note that in some situations, drivers may be
unaware that they are actually impaired to drive. For example,
some prescription and over-the-counter drugs may cause sideeffects such as drowsiness or hypertension. CMV drivers who are
on prescription or over-the-counter medication should inform their
doctor about their responsibilities as a driver. Drivers should also
inform their supervisor that they are taking a medication.
LESSON 3
15
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Drug and Alcohol Testing
All CMV drivers not currently enrolled in a recognized
drug testing program are required to pass preemployment drug tests, as well as random drug and
alcohol tests.
Employers are required to test for drugs and alcohol if
there is reasonable suspicion that the driver has
reported to work while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
Your company may have additional drug and alcohol
testing policies and procedures.
LESSON 3
16
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing
DOT requires that drivers of CMVs receive postaccident testing when:
 The accident results in someone’s death,
regardless of whether or not you are issued a
citation.
 A citation is issued to the CMV driver and
someone is injured in the accident and must
receive medical treatment away from the
scene.
 A citation is issued to the CMV driver and any
motor vehicle involved in the incident sustains
damage requiring it to be towed from the
scene.
LESSON 3
17
PROPANE DELIVERY OPERATIONS AND CYLINDER DELIVERY
Summary
Some important points to remember from this module are:
 The employer and employee have a shared responsibility to keep all driver
qualification records up-to-date and accessible.
 Propane delivery drivers must have a valid CDL to drive a placarded CMV or a
CMV over 26,001 lb gross vehicle weight.
 Drivers who operate special types of CMVs must pass additional tests to
obtain special endorsements on their CDL. The different CDL endorsements
include types H, N, T, and X.
 CMV drivers are prohibited from using illegal drugs or any other controlled
substance or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Drivers
must take the appropriate measures to avoid any situations in which they
would become impaired to drive.
 DOT requires post-accident drug and alcohol testing whenever an accident
results in someone’s death, a citation is issued and the accident results in
personal injury, and/or one of the vehicles must be towed from the scene.
LESSON 3
18