Commercial driver's licenses.

Existing law prohibits a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined, unless the person possesses a valid commercial driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) , except as specified. Existing law imposes certain examination requirements, including a driving test, on driver's license applicants, including commercial driver's license applicants, and specifies the types of vehicles that are in each driver's license class. Existing law also specifies the conditions under which a nonresident who is not licensed in the state may drive in the state, and requires a person to obtain a license from the DMV before being employed as a commercial driver, as specified. This bill would authorize the DMV to impose a fee on a commercial driver's license applicant, if a driving test is administered to an applicant who is to be licensed in another state pursuant to federal law, that does not exceed the reasonable cost of conducting the tests and reporting the results to the driver's state of record. The bill would delete the requirement that a commercial driver obtain a license from the DMV if the person is in possession of a valid commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license issued by any state or foreign jurisdiction that meets federal licensing standards. The bill would, among other things, revise the definitions of commercial motor vehicle and tank vehicle for purposes of commercial motor vehicle safety requirements, and would revise the categories of vehicles that are within each license class. Existing law prohibits a driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a period of 60 days if the department determines, after a hearing, that the person falsified information on his or her application for a driver's license in violation of federal law. This bill would make it unlawful for a person to engage in certain acts, including selling or using a crib sheet, as defined, that contains answers to any examination administered by the DMV for a commercial driver's license or permit. The bill would make a violation of this provision punishable as either an infraction or a misdemeanor, and would prohibit the driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.