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Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110

§31307 Minimum Training Requirements for Operators of Longer Combination Vehicles

Title 49 › SUBTITLE VI — MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › PART B — COMMERCIAL › CHAPTER 313 — COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS › § 31307

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must create and keep rules that set the minimum training drivers need to operate longer combination vehicles. The training must include an instructor who meets the Secretary’s rules and who certifies the driver is proficient. Longer combination vehicle: a truck tractor pulling more than one trailer or semitrailer on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways with a gross vehicle weight over 80,000 pounds.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §31307

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definition.—
In this section, “longer combination vehicle” means a vehicle consisting of a truck tractor and more than one trailer or semitrailer that operates on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways with a gross vehicle weight of more than 80,000 pounds.
(b)Requirements.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall maintain regulations establishing minimum training requirements for operators of longer combination vehicles. The training shall include certification of an operator’s proficiency by an instructor who has met the requirements established by the Secretary.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 31307(a)49 App.:2302 (note).Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 4007(f), 105 Stat. 2153. 31307(b)49 App.:2302 (note).Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 4007(b), 105 Stat. 2152. In subsection (a), the words “a vehicle consisting” are substituted for “any combination” for clarity. The words “Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways” are substituted for “National System of Interstate and Defense Highways” because of the Act of October 15, 1990 (Public Law 101–427, 104 Stat. 927). In subsection (b), the words “Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding” are omitted as executed.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5508(b)(5), amended Pub. L. 112–141, § 32931(c). See 2012 Amendment note below. 2012—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–141, § 32931(c), as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, § 5508(b)(5), substituted “The Secretary of Transportation shall maintain” for “Not later than December 18, 1994, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 Amendment Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, § 5508(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1554, provided that the amendment made by section 5508(b)(5) is effective as of July 6, 2012, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–141 as enacted.

Effective Date

of 2012 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 31307

Title 49, Transportation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110