The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) has introduced a revamped commercial motor vehicle skills testing process, aimed at modernizing and enhancing the overall testing procedure.
Developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and sanctioned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the updated testing process is designed to be simpler and more effective in evaluating an applicant’s readiness to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
According to DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore, the redesigned commercial driver’s test adheres to new national standards, making the process more efficient without compromising safety. The focus is on real-world scenarios that emphasize safety-critical elements.
The initial rollout of this modernized process is at the Between DDS Customer Service Center. However, there are plans for expansion to other locations across the state. All road skills tests, including the traditional and modernized versions, require appointments, which can be scheduled on the DDS website.
While the transition to the modernized test is ongoing, applicants can choose between the traditional and modernized versions. However, credit for sections completed successfully in the traditional test cannot be transferred to the modernized test. Other CDL requirements, such as mandatory Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT), remain unchanged.
Third-Party Testers, who are DDS business partners, also have the option to offer the modernized test to their students.
The modernized CDL skills test maintains its structure with three parts: vehicle inspection, basic control skills test, and road test. Notably, the inspection and basic control skills test underwent updates during the modernization process. The new inspection requires fewer items, and applicants can use a checklist from the “CDL Study Guide” for the order of inspection. The focus remains on knowledge and safety, incorporating elements drivers would typically encounter on the job.
The basic control skills portion of the driving exam is conducted on a smaller footprint and assesses applicants on forward stop, straight-line backing, forward offset tracking, and reverse offset backing. The modernized testing process aims to align with evolving standards while ensuring that commercial drivers meet the necessary safety requirements.
Source: Truckers News
