Employer responsibilities.

(a) Requirements.--Each employer shall require the applicant to provide the information specified in section 1604(c) (relating to notification requirements for drivers). Each employer shall inform the applicant that the information he provides in accordance with section 1604(c) may be used and the

applicant's previous employers may be contacted for the purpose of investigating the applicant's work history.

(b) Prohibitions.--No employer shall knowingly allow, require, permit or authorize a driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle:

(1) during any period in which:

(i) the driver's license was suspended, revoked or canceled by a state;

(ii) the driver has lost the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle in a state;

(iii) the driver has been disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle;

(iv) the driver is not licensed to drive a commercial vehicle;

(v) the driver is not qualified by a license restriction or required class or endorsement to operate the commercial vehicle being driven; or

(vi) the driver, or the commercial motor vehicle the driver is driving, or the motor carrier operation is subject to an out-of-service order;

(2) during any period in which the driver has more than one driver's license; or

(3) in violation of a Federal, State or local law or regulation pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossing.

(c) Test vehicles.--Each employer shall provide a representative vehicle to any employee who as a result of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-570, 49 U.S.C. app. § 2701 et seq.) must obtain a commercial driver's license to continue his present occupation. This section includes, but is not limited to, current commercial motor vehicle drivers, construction equipment operators, utility truck operators, mechanics and vehicle inspectors employed prior to March 31, 1992. It is the employer's discretion to provide a representative vehicle to any employee who wishes to obtain a commercial driver's license if the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 does not require the employee to obtain a commercial driver's license for his current position.

(d) Test dates.--An employer shall provide a commercial driver the necessary time off for a driver to take the required knowledge exam and skills test when the tests have been scheduled.

(e) Penalties.--Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000, except that if the violation relates to an out-of-service order, then the person shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,750. (Dec. 18, 2007, P.L.436, No.67, eff. 60 days; Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1473, No.187, eff. 60 days; Oct. 22, 2015, P.L.199, No.49, eff. 60 days) 2015 Amendment. Act 49 amended subsec. (b)(1)(v). 2012 Amendment. Act 187 amended subsec. (b).