AB 279

Under current law, the Department of Transportation (DOT) generally must

examine every applicant for an operator's license, including a commercial driver

license (CDL), and the examination must include both a knowledge test and a driving

skills test. DOT must promulgate rules setting testing standards consistent with

federal law, including standards for CDL applicants. DOT's standards must require

a knowledge test and driving skills test for persons making their first application for

an operator's license. DOT may require persons changing their residence to this

state from another jurisdiction to take all or parts of the examination required of

persons making their first application for an operator's license.

Also under current law, if an applicant to DOT for a CDL holds a military CDL

and submits the military CDL and certain other documentation to DOT, DOT must

treat the application the same as an application submitted by a person holding a CDL

from another jurisdiction.

Federal regulations generally require that a military CDL holder who applies

for a state-issued CDL must pass a knowledge test before the CDL is issued.

This bill specifies that, if a military CDL holder applies to DOT for a CDL, DOT

must require the applicant to take and pass applicable knowledge tests, unless the

applicant is exempt from, or eligible for a waiver of, these knowledge tests under

applicable federal regulations.