19A NCAC 03J .0306       COURSE OF INSTRUCTION

(a)  The commercial truck driving course to be taken by licensed persons who are 18 years old or older shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Minimum hours of instruction:

(A)          classroom instruction, including testing                          50 hours

(B)          field instruction                                                                    50 hours

(C)          highway behind-the-wheel training                                  20 hours

(D)          observation (highway behind-the-wheel)                        40 hours

Total - 160 hours

The hours of instruction may be expressed in credit hours provided the school is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the conversion ratio of that accrediting agency is used.

(2)           Content of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction:

(A)          laws relating to interstate and intrastate operations;

(B)          pre-trip inspection;

(C)          coupling and uncoupling of combination units, if the equipment to be driven includes such units;

(D)          placing the vehicle in operation;

(E)           use of the vehicle's controls and emergency equipment;

(F)           operation in inner-city and interstate highway traffic and passing;

(G)          turning the vehicle;

(H)          braking and slowing the vehicle by means other than applying the brakes;

(I)            backing and parking the vehicle;

(J)            experience operating property hauling vehicles with a minimum gross vehicle weight of 49,000 pounds or experience operating passenger motor coach vehicles having a minimum capacity of 46 persons; and

(K)          completing driver's daily log books.

(3)           Other requirements include:

(A)          the 160 hours of instructions required by this Rule shall be completed in no less than four calendar weeks;

(B)          three hours of the 20 hours of behind-the-wheel highway training shall be completed by each student between dusk and dawn;

(C)          one vehicle shall be provided for each three students during highway training. Four students per vehicle are permitted if the vehicle has been inspected and approved by the Division. The Division shall approve the vehicle if it determines the vehicle will seat four people. No more than four students per vehicle and no more than four vehicles per instructor shall be allowed for field training; and

(D)          a Driver's Daily Log shall be kept for each student to reflect the 160 hours of instruction.

(b)  Credit for prior instruction or training given by another agency or school may be granted. Such credit may be granted by the school to which the candidate is applying if the prior instruction or training is equivalent to the corresponding part or parts of the course required by this Rule for commercial truck driving course and if such credit is confirmed and authorized as equivalent by the Enforcement Section of the Division.

(c)  In addition to the course requirements of Paragraph (a) of this Rule, schools may offer a "Refresher Course" which shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Minimum hours of instruction shall total 80 hours as follows:

(A)          Classroom instruction, labs, and testing                          25 hours

(B)          Field instruction                                                                   25 hours

(C)          Highway behind the wheel training                                 10 hours

(D)          Observation (highway behind-the-wheel)                       20 hours

Total - 80 hours

The hours of instruction may be expressed in credit hours provided the school is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the conversion ratio of that accrediting agency is used.

(2)           Content of Classroom and behind the wheel instruction shall be as follows:

(A)          laws relating to interstate and intrastate operations;

(B)          pre-trip inspection;

(C)          coupling and uncoupling of combination units, if the equipment to be driven includes such units;

(D)          placing the vehicle in operation;

(E)           use of the vehicle's controls and emergency equipment;

(F)           operation n inner-city and interstate highway traffic and passing;

(G)          turning the vehicle;

(H)          braking and slowing the vehicle by means other than applying the brakes;

(I)            backing and parking the vehicle;

(J)            experience operating property hauling vehicles with a minimum gross weight of 49,000 pounds or experience operating passenger motor coach vehicles having a minimum capacity of 46 passengers; and

(K)          completing driver's daily log books.

(3)           Other requirements are as follows:

(A)          the 80 hours of instruction required by this Rule shall be completed in no less than two calendar weeks;

(B)          two hours of the 10 hours behind the wheel highway training shall be completed by each student between dusk and dawn;

(C)          one vehicle shall be provided for each three students during highway training. Four students per vehicle are permitted if the vehicle has been inspected and approved for such use by the Division. The Division shall approve the vehicle if it determines the vehicle will seat four people. No more than four students shall be allowed per vehicle for field training; and;

(D)          a drivers log shall be kept for each student to reflect the 80 hours of instruction.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-321; 20-322; 20-323;

Eff. May 1, 1987;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002; August 1, 1998; April 1, 1997; January 1, 1994; May 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. June 1, 2021.