How to be a CDL instructor?
Certification: Test Prep CDL - Commercial Drivers License
Only a Commercial Driver’s License holder can give driving instruction in the USA. So first step would be to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) from the state you would like to be instructor in. The driver must complete his training, the driver must be able to operate tow trick, heavy vehicles which transport passengers, transport heavy hazardous materials, basically those vehicles with a weight of 26,001lbs or more.
A valid license holder is issued to those drivers belonging to these classes:
>Commercial drivers:
The drivers can give classroom and behind-the-wheel instructions. The instruction is given to those who are learning to drive CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle), which is described in division (e) of section 4506.01 of the Revised Code.
>Class D motor vehicles:
The drivers can give classroom training and instructions are to be made behind the wheel. The instruction is given to those who are learning to drive motor vehicles other than CMV.
>Restricted instructors:
Some instructors are only allowed to teach in the classrooms. Instructions given behind the wheel is not permitted to these drivers, and hence they are not required to have a CDL.
For the driver-training instructor, the driver must complete the forty-hour course needs purely programmed for the instructor. The training must be administered by:
>Teacher’s driving institute,
>College or university,
>Training Program by the authorized departments,
>Courses provided by training school.
The instructor’s license, for commercial drivers, is required to go through a 40-hour training. This training includes classroom and behind-the-wheel training for commercial drivers and restricted instructors as mentioned above.
PHASE 1
A Classroom session, which is a 40-hour program, needs to be attended by the instructor candidate. The instructor candidate is required to be observant. The candidate instructor will have to observe the skilled instructor, who will be giving directions to the candidate who has applied for driver’s training. Observing the instructor will help the candidate instructor to understand their work as a classroom instructor. The candidate instructor might be given a set of videos, which has processed; he/she must be given a copy of the Enterprise Curriculum Guide, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws. The textbooks, which are used in the classrooms, are given to the instructor candidate to make them familiar with the curriculum. While observing the candidate can refer to these materials in their 40-hour training program.
Classroom instruction: Topics
1.Traffic laws
2.The effects of driver fatigue.
3.Rules and regulations of public utility.
4.Crash reporting and financial responsibility laws.
5. Vehicle brake system, vehicles having emergency equipment and lighting as per the laws set by the Federal.
6. Laws related to license and registration.
7.The International Registration Plan (IRP), the International Fuel Tax Alliance (IFTA), and the Single State Registration System (SSRS)’ relating to special taxes.
8.Motor carrier safety regulations.
9.Safety measures while driving.
10.Routine services and pre-trip safety check.
11.Disciplinary driving while sharing the road with the other drivers.
12.Sharing the road
13.Devices used for protection of the individual in the vehicle at the time of emergency.
14.CDL requirements.
15.Abuse of alcohol and drugs while on the road.
16.No zone.
17. Crossing of railroad instructions to be followed.
During the training process if the Training Manager is not available he must give proper attendance of the candidate. The candidate will have to sign a daily course roster. The trainer manager needs to administer the candidates training program and authenticate the candidate’s 40-hour observation.