DOT Drug Test Rules for CDL Drivers: Panel, Random Rates, Refusals
The five drug classes in a DOT test, the six reasons a CDL driver gets tested, why marijuana is still a violation, and the refusal list that ends careers.
Category: Drivers & CDL
Getting and keeping a CDL, endorsements, medical cards, pay, parking and driver rights, with links to the official rules.
Can You Drive a Truck Interstate Under 21? The Age Rule in 2026
Most states license 18-year-olds for trucks that stay inside the state. Crossing a state line is a federal matter, and the one pilot that opened it to younger drivers expired in November 2025.
Pre-Trip Inspection and DVIR Rules: What Drivers Must Check and Sign
The federal pre-trip and post-trip rules in 49 CFR 392.7, 396.11 and 396.13, plus an inspection order that follows the CDL skills test.
OTR vs Regional vs Local Trucking Jobs: Home Time, Miles and Pay
The job type decides how often you sleep at home, how you are paid and which hours-of-service rules apply. Here is how the four main kinds of trucking work differ.
How to Transfer a CDL to Another State: 30-Day Rule and Documents
Moving does not cancel your CDL, but federal rules give you 30 days to switch it. The documents the new state will ask for, what it checks, and how to keep your endorsements.
Trailer Types Compared: Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Tanker and More
The trailer decides the freight, the paperwork and much of the daily work. Here is how seven common types differ on rules, training and routine.
DOT Physical and Medical Card: What’s Checked and How Long It Lasts
Vision, hearing, blood pressure and diabetes decide most exams. Since June 2025 the result travels to your state electronically, but the driver still has to self-certify.
Truck Driver Coercion and Whistleblower Rights: How to File
Two federal protections cover drivers pushed to run illegal hours or overweight, and drivers punished for saying no. Who they cover, the deadlines, where to file and what evidence to keep.
How to Get a CDL: Steps From Learner’s Permit to Skills Test
The federal steps every new commercial driver follows, the Class A, B and C licenses compared, and what drives the cost and the timeline.
Where Can Truck Drivers Park Overnight? Rules, Options and HOS
A legal spot at the end of the clock is one of the hardest parts of the job. Where trucks can and cannot park overnight, what federal programs exist, and what the hours-of-service rules allow when every lot is full.