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Modernized CDL Skills Exam Standard

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) released a new version of the CDL Skills Exam that was approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on August 11, 2022. The new standard included changes to the Vehicle Inspection (VI) and Basic Control Skills (BCS) portions of the exam. The public Road Test (RT) segment remained the same. The modernized test improves test administration effectiveness and efficiency by reducing the length of the Vehicle Inspection (VI) and allowing a smaller footprint for the Basic Control Skills (BCS) test pads.

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Transition

Massachusetts transitioned to the new modernized standard on October 10, 2023. Applicants scheduled for a full CDL Skills Exam on or after October 10, 2023 tested or will test on the new standard. 

Changes to the Vehicle Inspection

  • There are fewer items that need to be inspected with a focus on critical safety items
  • A checklist is available for applicants to use during the Vehicle Inspection to reflect what drivers typically experience on the job
  • The Vehicle Inspection section of the Driver’s Manual now includes a description of the components that need to be inspected, information about why inspecting the item is important, and what the applicant must point out during the inspection

Changes to the Basic Control Skills

  • There are four required maneuvers – Forward Stop, Straight-line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking, and Reverse Offset Backing (incorporates the Parallel Parking and Alley Dock maneuvers)
  • The final position of each maneuver is the starting position of the next maneuver
  • The course dimensions are new and take up a smaller footprint
  • The changes to the test maneuvers are based on Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crash causation factors and advances in CMV equipment technologies.

What is not changing?

  • There is no change to the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements under 49 CFR Parts 380 Appendices A-E for the topics, content and maneuvers need to be included in Training Provider Theory and Behind-the-Wheel Range curriculums
  • The current 10-point Air Brake Test is still required in Massachusetts
  • The time allotted for each of the three segments of the exam is 30 minutes for a total of 90 minutes for a full CDL Skills Exam
  • The public Road Test portion of the exam remains the same

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Manual

Applicants should use the CDL Manual – March 2025 Version to prepare for the CDL Skills Test.  It includes the modernized Vehicle Inspection and Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test sections 11 and 12.. Training Providers should incorporate any changes into their training curriculums. The new version of the manual includes copies of the Vehicle Inspection Checklists and the course specifications. 

Additional Resources

Open file,  New Modernized Test Presentation
Open file,  Modernized Test Q&A
Open file,  Schedule your road test

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