Is it true CDL examiners at DMV don't have a CDL themselves?

If so, why? I mean, I think only CDL holders should administer these tests so the examiner will not create rules that are outside the handbook and they can drive back if they know the person driving clearly doesn't have enough driving competent skills to pass.

 

I am a CDL examiner for the state of PA. Part of the qualifications for the job are Class A, Passenger endorsement, along with motorcycle ( I do cars and motorcycles on non-CDL test days). Not positive about other states, but it would not make sense to me for non-CDL holders to administer the test. I'm reasonably sure it's a requirement nation wide.

 

I took my test in GA in 2017 when I was 24 years old. The examiner was a cute female one year younger than myself if I remember correctly. I asked and she told me she didn't have a CDL. I asked her if she'd consider it and basically was told no way, too big and too scary. Always found it odd they would do things that way

 

I had a girl in middle school who said the same thing.

 

Officer... Officer!... Right here officer!!! LOL

 

It depends on the state if the examiner is required to hold a valid CDL to administer the exam. Going way back it was the state police that gave these exams without any credentials at all.

As with any other exam, the person giving the test only needs to know the parameters of what is pass/fail nothing more. This keeps them from making up rules of their own or using their judgement to let something slide. I'm sure that happens occasionally but it is not the normal as examiners are audited several times a year as required by federal regulations and often they don't know the audit is happening until it is over.

As a PA CDL third party examiner for nearly 30 years we have always had to be fully qualified- I remember getting certified to administer the exam for the first time in 1993 and I had to nail every manuever and pre-trip perfectly with the state auditors and fellow classmates watching. The qualifications are somewhat relaxed now but CDL program was brand new back then.

My oldest grandson's paternal grandmother also was a PA state employee driver license examiner and up until recently could administer the CDL exam without a CDL although that changed here in PA several years back.

As for driving back if the student is not qualified that is not going to happen, the liability is way too great for a state driver licence agency to assume. As a third party examiner I have done that three times, but it was our own truck we were renting to the indvidual (not our student) that just wanted to show up and test. I also did stop one other exam but didn't drive the rig back, called the office to bring the licensed driver out to us, because should have something happened I likely would not have been covered for driving their truck.

 

I don't think it matters one way or the other. Now I am not talking about examiners that contract this testing. I am talking about DMV employees who just test. These people know what to look for and what to ask about because they undergo hours of training. Getting a CDL is not about gaining experience.

 

In the mid 80s my production manager on a theater tour got his class A chauffeur's license from a scale master in Hardin,Montana.
He used to ride w me to avoid the buses.
Let him drive many times and when we left Billings one day he thought he was ready.
Stopped at a small scale on the frontage road.
They had him go thru the gears to the end of the lot, then put a cone down and had him back up to it and stop..
He was a Montana resident and was issued a class A license.
Has since given it up and never used it just wanted one.

 

Those who can’t do, teach.

 

In Illinois that is true and i specifically asked the examiner when i was passing my tests in 2011