CDL Pre-Trip Rule

There is no such rule. Maybe in a company handbook, but not in the FMCSA rules and regulations.

I remember back in school they told us to take the keys out of the truck. But that's nothing more than a formality and not a rule.

I can't count the DOT inspections I've had with me and my dog in the truck. It's no different.

 

When you're getting a DOT inspection at a weigh station,the officer wants your dog out of the trk for safety reasons.My dog is real lovable except to officers,must be the uniform.DOT won't enter your trk unless for probable cause but the first thing the officer checks in an inspection is for your fire extinquisher and that it's in the green zone.They don't want your dog charging at them.

 

I've had several dot inspections with Cookie on board. Usually it results in a treat for her, as well as the officer having dog hair in his uniform. Funny thing is the officer never climbed in the cab, just gave me instructions and then asked if she was aggressive before petting her after completing the inspection.

 

That's a good safety step and we like to see it because our drivers do look under the truck and trailer. We don't crawl under but we do bend over and inspect with a flashlight and if someone just jumped in and started the truck and tried to drive away you'd have one huge fight on your hands.

 

What's the guy going to do, ride the dog that quarter of a mile?

 

What "test" are you referring to? This post is very unclear.

Oh, I see now. Why didn't you say this was a question about the Official Washington State CDL Test Guide in the first place?

So, let's see.

First let's consider the source of the material in question. It is created by a government agency, correct?

Think about this for a moment.

Every day government agencies from small city governments all the way to the Bozos in Washington DC add to the already bloated system of written documents that are supposed to be used to run every facet of our Great Nation from your local City Hall to the White House and the US Capitol.

Spend some time browsing through all the millions and millions of pages of documents filled with legalese. I bet it wouldn't take long before you will come up with examples of poorly written rules, laws and regulations.

For example (from Dumb Laws In Washington State):

(this last one is from the City of Seattle)

Really?

Who carries any weapon that is over six feet and even if they did, how in the Hell are they going to conceal it?

OK. Now let's get back to our local DMV and the testing process.

Whether you are getting your first driver's license, or testing for a CDL, one thing must be ensured, and that is an environment free of distractions of any kind. That is why they saw fit to require that during the test the only occupants in the vehicle will be the individual administering the test, and the person taking the test.

As for why it mentions service animals, well some other respondents have already addressed that I think. Sure, you will not ever see a blind person taking a test for any kind of driver's license, and most people who might have other reasons for a service animal likely would otherwise be disqualified from attaining a CDL.

But that doesn't mean that everyone who is handicapped and may require a service animal will automatically be disqualified from getting one.

As was mentioned, service animals are used for emotional conditions such as PTSD, and a driver very well may be able to get a physician's clearance to operate a CMV.

And some paraplegics and amputees may be able to get a wavier to operate a CMV, provided it is outfitted with suitable hand controls, and might have a service animal to help them with tasks that they otherwise cannot accomplish alone.

I would bet that the issue of prohibiting all animals from a vehicle while driver licensing testing is in progress has been challenged at some point for the very reason that there are people who are qualified, but have a disability that benefits from having a service animal.