CDL
, Truck drivers contribute greatly to our economy. The
commercial motor vehicle industry is the backbone of our
transportation system and its efforts ensure goods are
accessible throughout the state and the nation.
Illinoisʼ Commercial Driverʼs License (CDL) program is
credited as one of the best in the nation by the U.S.
Department of Transportation. The CDL program, including
commercial learnerʼs permits (CLP), has been overhauled
during my administration to help ensure that truck drivers licensed in Illinois are held to
the highest possible standards. Recent initiatives include requiring any person applying
for a CLP/CDL or current CDL holders to certify his/her commercial driving medical
status. All CLP/CDL holders who operate in non-excepted interstate commerce are also
required to keep a current DOT medical certificate on file with the Secretary of Stateʼs
office. The law strengthens the CDL program by requiring truckers to meet minimum
health and safety standards before getting behind the wheel. For details on CDL/CLP
medical certification, see Section 15.
CDL applicants may schedule pre-trip, skills and road exams online at
www.cyberdriveillinois.com. The Illinois Fast Pass program takes residents just a few
minutes to schedule appointments online for CDL testing purposes at the CDL facility of
their choice. Illinois Fast Pass can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
makes scheduling CDL appointments quick and convenient.
CDL applicants may also schedule appointments by calling 217-785-3013 from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
I encourage you to study this CDL Study Guide thoroughly before taking the required
exams. My goal as Secretary of State is to ensure that we license only safe, qualified
drivers to operate commercial vehicles in the state of Illinois.
Sincerely,
Jesse White
Secretary of State
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Introduction to Illinois CDL ............................................................................................................3-18
Section 2: Driving Safely..................................................................................................................................19-63
Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely ............................................................................................................64-67
Section 4: Transporting Passengers ..............................................................................................................68-71
Section 5: Air Brakes ......................................................................................................................................72-81
Section 6: Combination Vehicles ....................................................................................................................82-93
Section 7: Doubles and Triples ......................................................................................................................94-98
Section 8: Tank Vehicles ..............................................................................................................................99-101
Section 9: Hazardous Materials ..................................................................................................................102-124
Section 10: School Bus ................................................................................................................................125-138
Section 11: Charter Bus ......................................................................................................................................139
Section 12: Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection ......................................................................................................140-149
Section 13: Basic Vehicle Control Skills ....................................................................................................150-152
Section 14: Drive/Road Testing ....................................................................................................................153-157
Section 15: Special CDL Information & Programs ......................................................................................158-168
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. May 2015 — 160M — CDL 10.16
1
, SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION TO ILLINOIS CDL
1.1 — Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act — Nationwide CDL Program
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) was passed by Congress to address the problems caused
by irresponsible, unqualified bus and truck drivers who were damaging the image of a safety-conscious profession.
Unqualified drivers, often licensed following inadequate testing in many other states, have been found to be the cause
of tragic accidents and other threats to highway safety. Many times, these drivers sought to escape responsibility for
their actions by carrying driver’s licenses issued by many states and spreading their traffic convictions among these li-
censes — thus avoiding suspensions or revocations.
The CMVSA was designed to stop these abuses by prohibiting drivers from holding more than one license. A nationwide
information system prevents the issuance of multiple licenses, allows states to exchange information on traffic violations
and makes it easier to remove problem drivers from the road. Those drivers who violate the law are subject to tougher
penalties. The law also requires states to adopt uniform testing standards for commercial drivers prior to licensing.
Sanctions for serious traffic violators will ensure that commercial drivers remain accountable for their actions.
1.2 — Drivers Who Must Obtain a CDL
Any driver of the following vehicles must possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), unless he/she is driving these
vehicles for exempted uses as noted in Subsection 1.3 below:
• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR)** of
26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)* of the
vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds or any such vehicle towing
another not in excess of 10,000 pounds
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
*GVWR — Value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single vehicle or com-
bination of vehicles.
**GCWR — Value specified by the manufacturer as the GVWR of the power unit plus the GVWR of the
towed unit or units.
NOTE: For testing purposes only, the GCWR/GVWR means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum
loaded weight of a single vehicle or combination of vehicles. The GVWR/GCWR tags must be present and legible on
the pulling unit (truck) and the trailer (if combination testing). For the skills/drive testing, a proper class representative
vehicle is required. Semi-tractors of a tractor and trailer combination are not allowed for Class B testing. When ap-
pearing for the skills/drive test, please bring all documentation for the vehicle, such as the insurance card/certificate
and registration documents, into the facility.
To obtain a CDL, you must pass all necessary knowledge and skills/drive tests. This manual will help you pass the
tests. This manual is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable
way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle.
1.3 — Drivers Exempt from Obtaining a CDL
Under state and federal law, certain drivers are not subject to the requirements of the CDL program. The Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration has determined that these exemptions will not diminish the safe operation of commercial
vehicles on the highways. However, these drivers are still required to possess the proper class license for the vehicle
they are operating.
The following vehicle operators are not required to obtain a CDL:
2
, Truck drivers contribute greatly to our economy. The
commercial motor vehicle industry is the backbone of our
transportation system and its efforts ensure goods are
accessible throughout the state and the nation.
Illinoisʼ Commercial Driverʼs License (CDL) program is
credited as one of the best in the nation by the U.S.
Department of Transportation. The CDL program, including
commercial learnerʼs permits (CLP), has been overhauled
during my administration to help ensure that truck drivers licensed in Illinois are held to
the highest possible standards. Recent initiatives include requiring any person applying
for a CLP/CDL or current CDL holders to certify his/her commercial driving medical
status. All CLP/CDL holders who operate in non-excepted interstate commerce are also
required to keep a current DOT medical certificate on file with the Secretary of Stateʼs
office. The law strengthens the CDL program by requiring truckers to meet minimum
health and safety standards before getting behind the wheel. For details on CDL/CLP
medical certification, see Section 15.
CDL applicants may schedule pre-trip, skills and road exams online at
www.cyberdriveillinois.com. The Illinois Fast Pass program takes residents just a few
minutes to schedule appointments online for CDL testing purposes at the CDL facility of
their choice. Illinois Fast Pass can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
makes scheduling CDL appointments quick and convenient.
CDL applicants may also schedule appointments by calling 217-785-3013 from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
I encourage you to study this CDL Study Guide thoroughly before taking the required
exams. My goal as Secretary of State is to ensure that we license only safe, qualified
drivers to operate commercial vehicles in the state of Illinois.
Sincerely,
Jesse White
Secretary of State
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Introduction to Illinois CDL ............................................................................................................3-18
Section 2: Driving Safely..................................................................................................................................19-63
Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely ............................................................................................................64-67
Section 4: Transporting Passengers ..............................................................................................................68-71
Section 5: Air Brakes ......................................................................................................................................72-81
Section 6: Combination Vehicles ....................................................................................................................82-93
Section 7: Doubles and Triples ......................................................................................................................94-98
Section 8: Tank Vehicles ..............................................................................................................................99-101
Section 9: Hazardous Materials ..................................................................................................................102-124
Section 10: School Bus ................................................................................................................................125-138
Section 11: Charter Bus ......................................................................................................................................139
Section 12: Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection ......................................................................................................140-149
Section 13: Basic Vehicle Control Skills ....................................................................................................150-152
Section 14: Drive/Road Testing ....................................................................................................................153-157
Section 15: Special CDL Information & Programs ......................................................................................158-168
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. May 2015 — 160M — CDL 10.16
1
, SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION TO ILLINOIS CDL
1.1 — Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act — Nationwide CDL Program
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) was passed by Congress to address the problems caused
by irresponsible, unqualified bus and truck drivers who were damaging the image of a safety-conscious profession.
Unqualified drivers, often licensed following inadequate testing in many other states, have been found to be the cause
of tragic accidents and other threats to highway safety. Many times, these drivers sought to escape responsibility for
their actions by carrying driver’s licenses issued by many states and spreading their traffic convictions among these li-
censes — thus avoiding suspensions or revocations.
The CMVSA was designed to stop these abuses by prohibiting drivers from holding more than one license. A nationwide
information system prevents the issuance of multiple licenses, allows states to exchange information on traffic violations
and makes it easier to remove problem drivers from the road. Those drivers who violate the law are subject to tougher
penalties. The law also requires states to adopt uniform testing standards for commercial drivers prior to licensing.
Sanctions for serious traffic violators will ensure that commercial drivers remain accountable for their actions.
1.2 — Drivers Who Must Obtain a CDL
Any driver of the following vehicles must possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), unless he/she is driving these
vehicles for exempted uses as noted in Subsection 1.3 below:
• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR)** of
26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)* of the
vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds or any such vehicle towing
another not in excess of 10,000 pounds
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
*GVWR — Value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single vehicle or com-
bination of vehicles.
**GCWR — Value specified by the manufacturer as the GVWR of the power unit plus the GVWR of the
towed unit or units.
NOTE: For testing purposes only, the GCWR/GVWR means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum
loaded weight of a single vehicle or combination of vehicles. The GVWR/GCWR tags must be present and legible on
the pulling unit (truck) and the trailer (if combination testing). For the skills/drive testing, a proper class representative
vehicle is required. Semi-tractors of a tractor and trailer combination are not allowed for Class B testing. When ap-
pearing for the skills/drive test, please bring all documentation for the vehicle, such as the insurance card/certificate
and registration documents, into the facility.
To obtain a CDL, you must pass all necessary knowledge and skills/drive tests. This manual will help you pass the
tests. This manual is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable
way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle.
1.3 — Drivers Exempt from Obtaining a CDL
Under state and federal law, certain drivers are not subject to the requirements of the CDL program. The Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration has determined that these exemptions will not diminish the safe operation of commercial
vehicles on the highways. However, these drivers are still required to possess the proper class license for the vehicle
they are operating.
The following vehicle operators are not required to obtain a CDL:
2
