Because of rapidly changing commercial vehicle technologies and engineering, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) decided to evaluate the existing vehicle inspection (VI) and basic control skills (BCS) tests. In 2018, the Modernized tests were evaluated using a wide variety of experienced drivers, new and student drivers, as well as CDL examiners. Many different types of testing vehicles were used during this trial phase, including electric commercial vehicles, and those that run on natural gas instead of diesel. The idea was to make the CDL test inclusive for all types of commercial vehicles. Also, over the years, there has been many common driving and maneuvering errors amongst drivers out in the real world. The new BCS portion of the test was studied and revised to help prevent many of these common errors.

CDL Modernization was approved by the FMCSA and the new AAMVA CDL Testing Model was released in August 2022. Colorado began switching over to the new testing model in early 2023, and many testing units have adopted the CDL Modernized Skills Test. These changes are in addition to the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements that came into effect in February 2022. No changes have been made to the ELDT requirements.

What does this mean for you as a prospective student? While the VI portion of the test has been shortened, the BCS has changed drastically.

During the VI, you are allowed to use a checklist. The checklist can be found in your CDL Driver’s Manual. You are only allowed to use the checklist provided in the manual. You are allowed to check off items as you go along, but you are not allowed to make any additional markings on your checklist. If you do not bring a checklist with you for your CDL test, one may be provided to you by your examiner. The new vehicle inspection has fewer items for the driver to be tested on, with the main focus being safety critical items. The new Driver’s Manual will include detailed descriptions of each safety critical item, and why it is important to inspect these items. Drivers will be required to describe what they are inspecting, what they are looking for, and may include why they are inspecting it.

These items include vehicle lenses, reflectors, leaks, fluid levels, steering, suspension, and brake components. In combination vehicles, the VI also covers the tractor/truck and trailer connections and trailer items. Another change is making a mistake during your hydraulic brake check. Just like making a mistake during your air brake check results in an automatic failure, so does making a mistake during your hydraulic brake check.

Previously, there were three types of backing maneuvers on the CDL test. These included the straight-line backing, offset to the right or left backing, and the last was chosen by the examiner to be either the alley dock or one of the parallel parking maneuvers.

Under the Modernization, there are four different maneuvers being tested. These include the forward stop, the straight-line back, the forward offset tracking, and the reverse offset backing into an alley dock.

At DrivePoint CDL Academy, we want to ensure that you are not only licensed, but you understand and pass the new modernization test with proficiency. You will be operating a vehicle that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. Your safety, and the safety of others on the road means just as much to us as it does to you. You will receive individualized attention and training, and we provide ongoing support to all of our new drivers. If you have any questions about the CDL Modernization or anything CDL related for the State of Colorado, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us directly.