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Mini Course

Driver Qualification

A focused mini course on the federal driver qualification rules in 49 C.F.R. Part 391 — everything you need to know about qualifying drivers, building DQ files, and staying compliant.

~1 Hour
Focused Video Lessons
Desktop & Mobile
49 CFR Part 391
Enroll Now View Curriculum

What's Included

Focused video lessons on Part 391 driver qualification rules
DQ file checklist and reference materials
Practical guidance on building compliant files
Interactive quizzes to test your knowledge
Custom completion certificate
Accessible on any device

Course Overview

The driver qualification rules in Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are among the most commonly cited areas during compliance reviews and roadside inspections. Understanding these rules is critical for any motor carrier that employs or contracts with commercial motor vehicle drivers.

This mini course provides a detailed look at the federal requirements for qualifying drivers, including minimum qualifications, medical certification, the driver qualification (DQ) file, road tests, annual reviews, and disqualifying offenses. You'll learn exactly what documents belong in a DQ file and how to maintain one that will hold up during an audit.

Whether you're building your first DQ file or auditing an existing program, this course gives you the regulatory knowledge and practical guidance to get it right.

Meet Your Instructor

Brandon Wiseman

Brandon Wiseman

President, Trucksafe Consulting

Brandon Wiseman is a transportation attorney, safety consultant, and the founder of Trucksafe Consulting and Trucksafe Academy. He has spent years counseling carriers of all types and sizes on all things DOT safety — from developing safety programs, policies, and procedures from the ground up, to representing clients before the FMCSA in administrative appeals, safety rating upgrades, and civil penalty cases. Brandon has spoken regularly at industry conferences on topics including driver onboarding, hours-of-service, ELDs, CSA and SMS, DOT enforcement, and safety ratings, and has published numerous articles and white papers on the subject.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed for anyone responsible for qualifying drivers or maintaining driver qualification files at a motor carrier operation.

Safety managers building or auditing DQ files
HR professionals who handle driver onboarding
Fleet owners and small business operators
Dispatchers with compliance responsibilities
Owner-operators managing their own records
Trucksafe Academy
16
Lessons
4
Modules

Course Curriculum

16 lessons across 4 modules

1

Minimum Qualifications

4 lessons
Who Must Be Qualified Under Part 391
Minimum Age & Experience Requirements
General Qualifications for CMV Drivers
Disqualifying Offenses & Violations
2

Medical Certification

4 lessons
The DOT Physical Examination
Medical Examiner's Certificate Requirements
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
Medical Waivers & Exemptions
3

The Driver Qualification File

5 lessons
Required DQ File Documents
Employment Application Requirements
Previous Employer Inquiries
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Reviews
Annual Review of Driving Record
4

Road Tests & Equivalent Certificates

3 lessons
Road Test Requirements & Procedures
Equivalent Certificates of Road Test
Documentation & Record Retention

Why Train with Trucksafe Academy?

Expert Content

Created by DOT compliance professionals with decades of real-world experience.

Certificates

Earn a professional completion certificate you can download and add to your records.

Learn Anywhere

Fully responsive courses that work on any device — desktop, tablet, or phone.

Self-Paced

Complete the course on your own schedule. No deadlines, no pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Get Started?

Enroll today and take the first step toward mastering DOT compliance.

Enroll Now